Garden of Healing Massage Therapy

03/12/2026

March is the month of congestion and "damp hots" or feeling congestion, a heaviness in the chest, achy, and flu like symptoms due to the sudden warm temperatures. The warm temperature cue our bodies to release fat into the blood which congests the lymph and sinuses. If you feel these symptoms, focus on eating light, diuretic, bitter, and pungent foods like celery, parsley, radishes, black pepper, and leafy greens. These types of food will help thin mucus and flush out extra fluids retained by the body. For more on how to support your body in March, click on the link below.

Sunlight is steadily returning. A warm day or two could leave congestion and upper respiratory conditions in its wake. In the Spring, it's the warm days that make you sick. After fighting the cold all winter long, your body is unprepared for the sudden ri

02/19/2026

Happy Ramadan and Lent! February is the traditional time of year for fasting. You may even find you lose your appetite completely in February! This is your body's natural reaction to the slowly warming temperatures. These warmer temperatures cue our bodies to start shedding winter fat. It is important to listen to these natural cues and start eating more lightly or you could suffer from congestion, water retention, fatigue, and spring allergies. Here are some delicious and light recipes to get the bile flowing, start burning fat, dry up excess fluid, and move out congestion. I particularly like the Sweet Potato Fries with Red Pepper Hummus, the Roasted Beets in Balsamic Glaze, and the Cabbage Soup.

Introduction February brings the first days of respite from the long, harsh winter. The mornings are a little bit brighter and temperatures a bit higher, if only slightly, reminding you that spring is near. These subtle changes in

02/07/2026

It's said in Ayurveda that the hottest day of the year is the first warm day in February. This is because our bodies are still holding on to all of our winter fat, so the warm day feels extra warm. Kind of like wearing a winter coat in the middle of summer. This warm day marks the shift from gradually getting colder to gradually getting warmer.

It's been an off year in Colorado and winter felt like it was only about four days. Nevertheless, the shift has begun. This means our bodies will now start shedding fat and preparing for summer. We can aide this process by eating pungent, bitter, and sour foods. Think spicy Mexican, Thai, or Indian food. Beets, greens (kale, chard, collards, spinach), lemon, and fermented foods are all excellent choices this time of year as they cleanse the liver and gallbladder. Fiber rich black beans, chickpeas, and lentils are also a great option because they scrape and clean out the colon. Clearing the channels helps our bodies move out the excess fat. For more on how to support your body in February, click the link below.

February in Your Body As soon as temperatures bottom out and begin to rise in late January, your body shifts its strategy from building insulating fats to releasing them. The body releases fat for the same reason a dog sheds their

02/04/2026

We are excited to announce that we now offer far infrared sauna sessions! You may have heard of red light and infrared light therapies before. These are different from far infrared and each have their niche benefits.

Red light is visible light that penetrates a couple of millimeters into the skin. It is great for collagen production and wound healing.

Near or mid infrared light is just beyond visible light in the spectrum. It penetrates 1-2 inches into the body, reaching muscle and joint tissues. It helps reduce muscle soreness, accelates tissue repair, and supports joint mobility, and nerve regeneration.

Far infrared light is even further beyond visible light and near infrared light in the spectrum and has the longest wavelengths. It penetrates 2-5 inches into the body and actually resonates with the water molecules inside of your body to heat you from the inside out. It increases circulation, stimulates lymphatic flow, and helps detoxify your body at a cellular level. This therapy is best for chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular health, and long-term cellular resilience. We chose it because it addresses the body as a whole for systemic healing.

Our sauna is registered with the FDA and ready to help you feel your best!

01/24/2026

It is finally starting to feel like January and it looks like we will be hitting our seasonal lows with this arctic blast coming this weekend. Better late than never! Sunday will be the perfect day to snuggle up in a blanket with a book or the Broncos game! Here are some yummy recipes to warm you up and get your blood moving. Cinnamon Oatmeal with Almonds and Milk for breakfast and Beef with Pototoes and Peas for lunch or dinner will really hit the spot Sunday. There's even some recipes for simple fermented foods you can make at home. Enjoy!

Introduction By the time January rolls around, it starts to feel like the cold will never end. The incessant chill and dark evenings dampen your spirits and leave you longing the warmth of the spring sun. As the weather drives you

01/02/2026

Happy New Year! Typically the temperatures bottom out in January. This feels like a very atypical year in Colorado, however, so who knows if that will actually happen. We are still mostly in the dark though, which means it's time to slow down and reflect on the past year. It is a time to go inward and figure out what you want to manifest in the new year.

If you overindulged over the holidays, now is the time to work on shedding the extra pounds. You can start by lightening up your diet, especially if the weather stays warm. Sour foods like pickled garlic, pickles, sauerkraut, and grapefruit will help keep your body juicy in these dry conditions and cleanse your liver so you can better digest fats. Pungent spices like ginger, black pepper, turmeric, and cinnamon will help keep your blood moving which tends to stagnate in January. For more on how to support your body in January, click the link below.

The quiet solitude of January makes it a perfect month for deep thought, rest, and contemplation. The dark, introspective winter seems to bury all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, bringing the previous year to a complete rest. As the earth bec

12/18/2025

Although the temperatures don't feel like December right now, the wind is howling outside and our bodies still know it's here. Here are some delicious recipes to warm and build your blood. Also, some yummy drinks to strengthen your immune system so you can fend off winter bugs. I especially like the Persian Pomegranate Walnut Stew, the Baked Apples with Rosemary, and the Peppermint Cocoa Shake. Click the article below for more recipes.

https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/15-Ayurvedic-Recipes-for-December/6165?

Every year the holiday season leads to a debate: How should you care for your body? In December, do you listen to your natural instincts to stay in and hibernate? Or do you live it up and enjoy all the festive cheer the holiday season offers? Do yo

12/03/2025

Happy December! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has arrived. This can be a joyous or challenging time of year. Many of us have social commitments and other stressors that can drain us of our energy. Finding a few moments of stillness can really help us recharge. Sweet, salty, and pungent foods are in the menu in December. Think curries and well spiced soups and stews. Red foods like pomegranate, beets, cranberries cherries, and red cabbage are especially beneficial this time of year because they are loaded with antioxidants and build the blood. For more on how to support your body in December read the article below.

https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/Ayurvedic-Diet-for-December/5673?

Cooking in the winter is a delight. As you stand by the warm stove, its heat and aromas will fill your house. The winter chill is softened by this warmth. A cozy evening indoors is all the more appealing when Jack Frost nips at your nose. As you cuddle up

11/22/2025

We are in the last half of November and it finally felt like it today. Next week is Thanksgiving where we can come together with friends and family to share the bounty of the season and give thanks for our blessings. Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays for just this reason. Here are some delicious recipes to help you settle into the season. I love all of them, but particularly the roasted rice with dates, cinnamon, and cardamom; the ginger carrot soup; and the sweet potato pie. Enjoy!

https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/10-Ayurvedic-Recipes-for-November/6148?

November heralds one of the most anticipated meals of the year, Thanksgiving. People come together to share this feast with loved ones, and express thanks and gratitude for all the year has brought thus far. Excitement mounts in November as the holidays a

11/04/2025

We have turned the clocks back an hour and instantly the days feel so short. It is consistently colder now and this combination drives us inward and fuels our cravings for heavier foods. November is a time for quiet nights at home with the family. It is a time to reflect and give thanks for all that we have and to share with those that have not. Enjoy the comforting veggies that have now come into season like sweet potatoes, squashes, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. You can even add a little extra fat in your diet in the form of whole dairy, cheese, ghee, and nuts. The extra layer of fat you are building provides insulation to protect you from the cold and strengthen your immunity. Click the article below to learn more about how to support your body in November.

https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/Ayurvedic-Diet-for-November/5637?

November brings our hearts back home. The smell of turkey, the comfort of warm mashed potatoes with gravy, and gratitude for the harvest celebrated on Thanksgiving make food the centerpiece of November. Breaking bread, food, and togetherness are venerated

10/24/2025

Spooky season is here. A few good, windy days and the trees will be bare. Just in time for Halloween. The wind and the cold will start to drive us inside and we will crave coziness and comfort foods. Here are some yummy recipes to warm and satisfy your belly. The Basil Butternut Squash over Coconut Quinoa and Baked Apples in Spicy Apricot Sauce are particular favorites.

Daylight hours shrink in October and the morning air is crisp and cooler. The once lush, green hillside is suddenly colored and brilliant. In October, enjoy the colorful display as deep red and amber leaves swirl in the wind. The last hurrah of fall is an

10/09/2025

This morning I woke up to a frost. The beautiful leaves starting to change and the cold, last couple of days definitely let me know fall is here. October is marked by dry, crunching leaves, windy nights, and big temperature swings. It is very important to layer up this time of year to keep your body temperature in balance.

You may notice your appetite increasing and you may start to crave heavier foods like root veggies, squashes, and sweets. Feel free to lean into this craving and spice your food with ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, garlic, onion, and thyme to help you digest the heavier food. For more on how to support your body in October, check out the article below.

Autumn is a Vata season characterized by degeneration, the ending of things. By the end of October, there's no turning back - the late summer heat of September gives way to true cold. The cat who lay stretched out on your hardwood floor all summer sneaks