Shishir
Shishir Rutu (December-January)
Winter enters gently with colder nights and warm sunlight, which is a perfect season for working on a healthy body. In India, Winter is divided into two Rutu, that is Hemant and Shishir.
Rutucharya for Hemant and Shishir is considered to be the same, but the only difference is the weather in Shishir Rutu is drier and colder than in Hemant.
Winter is considered to be the best season in terms of digestion power and the overall health of living creatures.
The “Vayu/Vaat” is dominant in nature and hence food containing snigdha(oily), salty, sour(amla) is recommended in this season. Nonvegetarian food, especially roasted meat is allowed to eat. Milk and milk products like curd, cream, basundi, shreekhand, paneer can be consumed. Products made from sugarcane like jaggery, kakvi, sugar, khandasari are allowed. Rice made from new harvests can be consumed in this season. The human body type is conducive to digesting complex food items in this season.
Dincharya for Shishir
Hot water bath
Apply Uttane
Apply moisturizer on the skin
Drink hot water
Use warm cloths
Sitting in pleasant sun
Oil massage
Recommended food items
Roti / Grains
Jowar, Wheat, Bajree, Rice
Vegetables/Bhaji
Snake gourd (Padval), Potato, Carrot, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Onion, Lemon, Spinach, Chakwat, Fenugreek (Methi), Dill
Dal/Varan/Legumes
Udid dal, Matki, Mug, Masur, Watana (dry peas), Harbhara(chana), Chawali
Spices
Mint, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Cumin seed, Curry leaves, Cinnamon, Bay leaf, Coriander, Owa(ajwain), Keshar, Coriander seeds, Cardamom
Fruits
Apple, Grapes, Mosambi, Oranges, Custard apple, Pomegranate, Banana, Sapodilla(chiku), Guava, Papaya
Drinks/Pey/soups
Milk, Tea, Coffee
Nonveg
Mutton, Eggs, Chicken, Fish
Some Extra Recommendations for healthy eating lifestyle
Udid (Urad Dal) is excellent in this season so have it in the form of wada or ladu
Oil, ghee can be used freely. Add gul poli with ghee, tilgul
Food of all kinds of taste like sweet, salty, sour, spicy
Shrikhand, Basundi, Gulabjam, Barfi, Jilebi, Shevyachi kheer, Gajar Halwa
All milk and milk products like Paneer, Kharwas, ghee and Malai
All kinds of dry fruits like Cashews, Almonds, dry dates,
Dinkache(gond) ladu
Can consume strengthening medicines like Shatawari, Ashwagangha, Yashtimadh, Kawachbeej, Chywanprash
Sitting in early morning sunlight
Consuming amala and chyavanprash is highly recommended
Apathaya
- During extremely cold weather like Shishir Rutu, avoid bitter, spicy, kashay(turat) food
- Avoid eating cold food
Exercise
- Heavy exercise is beneficial in the morning
What to avoid
- Avoid sleeping in daytime
- Should not be directly exposed to the cold breeze
- Light meals should be avoided.
Please Note: The recommended diet takes Ayurveda into consideration. Individuals with any form of illness should seek medical advice before adopting the diet.