Fasting without starving
Though I'd previously considered myself a healthy eater, Cate showed me a new nutritional plan designed to boost my metabolism (or, in ayurvedic-speak, “stimulate the digestive fire”).To kick-start my ayurvedic diet, I was to fast. Normally fasting implies a period of self-denial during which the participant does not eat. I had fasted on several occasions, so this didn't scare me. But then I learned that ayurvedic fasting actually involves food!

The assigned food was kitchari , a traditional Indian mush made from overcooked rice and split mung beans. Not the most appetizing fare, but when I learned I could spice it up with coconut and veggies, I was sold. This was just getting better and better.

For three days, I ate nothing but kitchari: one bowl in the morning, a larger one midday, and a smaller one late in the afternoon. By 5:00 p.m., my feasting for the day was over. Was I hungry? Well, yeah, but it felt great. The kitchari was warm, soothing, and easy on my belly. Because of the careful balance of ingredients in kitchari, I rarely had cravings. And afterwards, when I began my more inclusive ayurvedic diet, I felt by contrast that I could eat anything! My breakfast of oatmeal felt almost sinful, especially with a drizzle of honey.

I lost a few pounds on the ayurvedic diet, and my energy was good. It did take a little time to prepare each day's pot of kitchari, so I'd recommend the fast only on days when nothing else is planned.