This April, I’m off to Kerala in the south of India to immerse myself for 8 nights at an Ayurveda healing and yoga resort.

My coworkers from India say Kerala is known for its beaches, lush forests and animals like monkey, elephants and tigers! What I’ve read online supports my coworkers description as well as more information about ecotourism, Ayurveda and a series of brackish backwater chains that link lagoons and lakes together; Kerala is described as God’s own country.

The retreat I’ll be staying at is the Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort.

My programs will be Detox and Rejuvenation.

My food will be Ayurveda/Diet Wellness food.

All programs are directed and overseen by certified doctors of Ayurvedic medicines.

This resort is world renowned with many accolades promoting its authenticity, integrity and effectiveness.

I’m beyond excited……

I’ve 6 months of living an alcohol free lifestyle.  I practice self-Reiki daily with meditation.  I journal everyday to process thoughts and emotions. I walk for exercise. This upcoming vacation retreat has motivated me to add yoga as part of my daily morning routine so I can be more prepared at the retreat when stepping on the yoga mat.

My diet now is an attempt at balance between a mixture of healthy moments with not so healthy moments.  During the work week, I’m up at 4:00am to start my morning with journal writing, self-Reiki/meditation, walking and now yoga. I arrive at work by 6:30am and start my day at 7:00am. My work day finishes at 4:00pm.  It is then time to run errands, buy groceries, go home and cook as well as prepare for the next day.  Sometimes exhaustion dictates supper and fast food is ordered.  Unlike most expats here in Qatar, we do not have a live-in or live-out maid to help us with a healthy diet by preparing our food, cooking healthy meals, preparing lunches, and grocery shopping even.  A healthy lifestyle takes work on top of the work I invest into my career and marriage. A healthy anything takes work – a healthy mind, healthy body, healthy emotions, a healthy marriage, a healthy career, etc…

Healthy defined here as balanced, rewarding, authentic and joyful.

I’m quite eager to be introduced to the Ayurvedic diet to then start adding those items to my grocery list and try to continue the diet I’ve started at the retreat. As well, I’d like to reduce the amount of sugar I consume and cut back on coffee.

But, first…..what is this Ayurvedic diet?  What is Ayurveda?

According to The Chopra Centre, doshas are the foundation of Ayurveda.  A dosha is a mind-body type.  There are three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  Each dosha is developed from the five elements of nature: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

According to the Chopra Centre’s – What is Your Dosha Test – I’m Vatta-Pitta-Kapha.  I’m 30%Vatta, 40%Pitta and 30% Kapha.

I wonder what dosha or doshas the doctors at the retreat will identify me as?

The Ayurveda diet is to eat the rainbow of colors of food as well as include the six tastes in a meal – sweet, salty, sour, pungent (spicy), bitter, & astringent.

Hmmmm….I’ll be very interested to see what Ayurvedic recipes and foods will be served at the retreat so I can can take this menu home with me!

On top of the luxury of this resort and its healing programs…..it will be nice to be taken care of! To be pampered! To have my mind, body, soul and spirit sink into health and healing…….

S, <3