Everyday Ayurveda with Kate

Kate O’Donnell
  • 5.0 (54)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Everyday Ayurveda, a podcast by Kate O’Donnell, renowned Ayurvedic practitioner, bestselling author, and founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. Join Kate as she demystifies the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and translates it into practical, everyday practices for modern living. In each episode, Kate shares her deep knowledge and personal experiences from over two decades of studying Ayurveda in India. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll discover valuable insights on diet, lifestyle, self-care, and holistic health. Everyday Ayurveda is your go-to resource for integrating the timeless principles of Ayurveda into your daily routine, fostering a life of balance, health, and happiness. Subscribe now and start your journey towards radiant well-being with Kate O’Donnell. Listen, learn, and transform with Everyday Ayurveda – because true health begins with the choices we make every day.

  1. 78. How To Get Comprehensive Bloodwork and Actually Understand the Results

    2D AGO

    78. How To Get Comprehensive Bloodwork and Actually Understand the Results

    The bloodwork conversation is everywhere right now — but are you getting the right tests, and do you know what to do with the results? Kate sits down with two functional medicine practitioners: Tracey O’Shea, medical director at the California Center for Functional Medicine and program director at the Kresser Institute, and Danielle Dellaquila, functional nutritionist and founder of Eagle Vision Nutrition. Together they demystify the comprehensive blood panel from both a clinical and nutritional perspective. What We Cover: What is missing from your standard annual bloodwork How functional medicine ranges differ from conventional lab ranges Full thyroid panels, iron panels, nutrient markers, and insulin Hormone testing in perimenopause: when labs help and when they do not The real out-of-pocket cost of a comprehensive panel ($399-$469) DIY bloodwork services: what they get right and where the gaps are How to balance data with body wisdom Find resources and practitioners at healwithkate.org. Order bloodwork with Danielle Dellaquila: https://www.eaglevisionnutrition.com/comprehensive-blood-analysis/ Danielle's Supplement Dispensary: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/ddellaquila/store-start   Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    55 min
  2. 77. How To Clear Kapha This Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Remedies That Work

    MAR 25

    77. How To Clear Kapha This Spring: Simple Ayurvedic Remedies That Work

    If spring feels heavier than it should — slow digestion, morning congestion, low appetite, a persistent heaviness you can’t quite name — Ayurveda has a precise and practical explanation for what’s happening. In Episode 77, Kate O’Donnell goes deep on Kapha season: the Ayurvedic name for the late-winter-into-spring transition when excess moisture in the body starts moving, filling the cavities of the stomach, throat, lungs, and sinuses. This is not a malfunction. It’s biology. And once you understand it, you have real tools to work with.   This solo episode covers: The Ayurvedic science of spring: how cold and dry winter conditions create excess mucus, and why the seasonal thaw causes it to move through the body The primary seats of Kapha Dosha — stomach, mouth, throat, lungs, sinuses — and how each signals imbalance in spring The ginger-cumin water remedy: how to make it, why it works, and how to sip it throughout the day Ginger, lemon, and honey: the spring tonic Kate returns to every year and why Ayurveda insists on raw honey Nasya oil: how to use it in spring, when to skip it, and what to do instead if sinuses are congested Movement practices that mobilize lymph, with specific attention to the armpits and upper body Spring grains to favor: barley, millet, corn, buckwheat — and why oats and wheat tend to compound the problem Legumes as detox allies: mung beans, black beans, white beans, and why Kate reaches for them consistently this time of year What to reduce: cold drinks, heavy oils, daytime napping, wheat, dairy, meat, fried food, and sweets Pungent, bitter, and astringent foods — what they are, why they help, and easy ways to include them The most important single spring habit: not eating when you’re not hungry   Kate also offers an important note of nuance: these recommendations are seasonal medicine for those experiencing seasonal imbalance. If you feel great, that means your constitution is managing the transition beautifully. These tools are remedies, not obligations.   Resources mentioned: Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell Everyday Ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind by Kate O’Donnell Nasya oil: link in show notes healwithkate.org for personalized seasonal support   Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    32 min
  3. 76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now

    MAR 18

    76. The Vedic New Year and What It Means for Your Health Right Now

    This week, Kate welcomes Vedic astrologer Kaya Mindlin for a one-of-a-kind episode: a full tour of the Vedic solar year, month by month, through the lens of health and Ayurveda. Kaya has spent 25 years studying the Vedic wisdom traditions — Jyotisha (the “eye of the Vedas”), yoga therapy, Vedic scripture, and Ayurveda — and brings a rare combination of depth and practical accessibility to everything she teaches. In Jyotisha, the sun rules health and vitality. As it moves through the 12 signs of the zodiac, it illuminates a different region of the body — from the head in Aries all the way down to the feet in Pisces. Each solar month offers specific guidance on what to cultivate, what to protect, and how to live in alignment with the patterns already built into the cosmos. Kate brings her deep Ayurvedic knowledge to each month, layering in herbs, body care practices, and seasonal wisdom at every turn. This is a conversation that rewards taking notes — and one you will return to throughout the year. What We Cover The Vedic New Year and why it begins in mid-April, not January 1st How the sun’s movement through the zodiac maps the human body from head to feet Aries season: courage, initiation, and the best time to start new health habits Taurus season: beauty, food, family, and reverence for the earth Gemini season: healing hands, communication, ear care, and sexuality Cancer season: home, heart, emotional health, and gut healing Leo season: vitality, heart health, creativity, and brain-supporting herbs Virgo season: digestion, daily habits, simplicity, and fall cleansing Libra season: balance, hormones, the kidneys, and not too much or too little Scorpio season: secrets, release, the colon, and deep inner work Sagittarius season: aiming before leaping, wise counsel, and why January resolutions fail Capricorn season: structure, strategy, and patiently implementing good habits Aquarius season: healing innovations, hair and nail care, and community healing Pisces season: purification, rest, ritual, foot care, and the end of the solar year Take-Home Practices Note which solar month you are currently in and focus your self-care accordingly Use the first half of January for contemplation and vision before acting on your resolutions Try ear oiling during Gemini season (mid-June to mid-July) Tend to the chest and emotional health during Cancer season (mid-July to mid-August) Simplify your diet and daily habits during Virgo season (mid-September to mid-October) Oil your feet nightly during Pisces season (mid-March to mid-April) and reflect on the year Guest Links Website: https://yogawithkaya.com/  Nectar of Time Program - monthly Vedic Astrology Forecasts, Rituals and Sacred Stories: https://yogawithkaya.com/nectar-of-time-membership/  ***10% Off Any Program with Kaya for Listeners with the coupon code: everydayayurveda10*** Private Vedic Astrology Consults: https://www.jyotishresolution.com/  Call to Action If this episode reframes how you move through the year, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who needs a new framework for seasonal health. For deeper support, visit healwithkate.org. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    1h 18m
  4. 75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer

    MAR 11

    75. How Much Should You Actually Eat? An Ayurvedic Answer

    One of the most common questions Kate hears no matter where she’s teaching in the world: How much food should I eat? Her answer is deeply Ayurvedic — it depends on your body, your season, your activity, and the density of what’s on your plate. In this solo episode, Kate delivers a practical, body-based framework grounded in ancient Ayurvedic nutrition principles. What You’ll Learn: The cupped-hands (anjali) portion guide from the ancient texts How body type, season, and daily activity affect how much you need Dense vs. light foods — and why the balance determines satisfaction How the six tastes of Ayurveda create true, lasting fullness The burp signal: your stomach’s built-in fullness cue The four-hour meal experiment to calibrate your natural hunger Why multitasking while eating makes it harder to know when you’re full How density needs shift during perimenopause and as we age Take-Home Practices: Cup your hands together and use that bowl as a rough portion reference Build each meal around dense foods, then balance with lighter elements Aim for all six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent After a natural burp during a meal, pause and check in with your body Run the four-hour experiment — track how long each meal sustains you RESOURCES healwithkate.org HEALTH DISCLAIMER The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    30 min
  5. 74. What Most Yoga Teachers Never Learn About the Full Spectrum of Practice

    MAR 4

    74. What Most Yoga Teachers Never Learn About the Full Spectrum of Practice

    What happens when yoga becomes more than postures? In this conversation, Kate O'Donnell is joined by Amy Landry, Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and author of the forthcoming book The Ocean of Yoga. Together they explore what it means to walk yoga as a full spiritual path rather than a fitness practice.   Amy shares her rare journey through India's sacred arts, studying Odissi classical dance in Orissa, deepening in Ayurveda, and eventually channeling years of study and teaching into a book designed to give practitioners the broad, cohesive foundation most yoga trainings don't provide.   What We Cover How Odissi classical dance and yoga are expressions of the same liberatory practice Why Amy believes the yoga industry leaves practitioners craving more depth The dissolution of self as the highest aim in both dance and yoga How to find spiritual depth without a formal teacher Why your yoga practice should change with the seasons of your life Reading traditional yoga texts alongside multiple translations Setting sunrise, midday, and sunset alarms as a simple spiritual practice How Amy wrote her book while breastfeeding and adapting to motherhood Ayurvedic morning and evening rhythms Amy weaves into daily life What the Ocean of Yoga offers practitioners and teachers beyond asana   About Amy Landry Amy Landry is an Australian yoga teacher, classical Odissi dancer, Ayurveda practitioner, and the author of The Ocean of Yoga, published by Shambhala Publications (March 31). She has spent decades studying in India across multiple traditions, including Odissi dance at a traditional school in Orissa, and holds a diploma in Ayurveda. She currently teaches yoga and leads an online 300-hour teacher training in Melbourne.   Website: https://amyelandry.com/oceanofyoga/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/00uecEGOZwCLAs9V9q6Gfp?si=d26499131bc74b1f Book: The Ocean of Yoga — available March 31   Take-Home Practices Set alarms for sunrise, midday, and sunset — use each moment to pause and return to presence Begin reading a traditional yoga text alongside two or three different translations Lie on your left side for one to two minutes before rising to stimulate digestion Allow your yoga practice to shift with your season of life rather than forcing consistency Weave ritual into daily life rather than keeping spiritual practice confined to the mat   Relevant Links The Ocean of Yoga by Amy Landry — Shambhala Publications, March 31 Pre-order bonus: Free mini course with all pre-orders before March 31 Kate O'Donnell: healwithkate.org Everyday Ayurveda with Kate: available on all major podcast platforms   Call to Action If this conversation sparked something in your practice, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with a yoga teacher or student in your life. To explore Ayurveda support, visit healwithkate.org.   Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    46 min
  6. 73. Stop Letting Wellness Trends Decide What Your Body Needs

    FEB 25

    73. Stop Letting Wellness Trends Decide What Your Body Needs

    Every week, a new wellness trend goes viral. Every month, someone tells you what to eat, when to exercise, and which supplements you're missing. And somehow, after all that information, you feel less certain about your health than ever. In this solo episode, Kate O'Donnell names what's happening — and she calls it the hive mind. It's the way social media algorithms, trending health content, and urgency-driven information push us away from our own bodies rather than toward them. Drawing on 25 years of Ayurvedic practice, Kate offers a grounding alternative: the ancient, individualized framework that asks not "what does everyone say?" but "what does this body need, right now, in this season of life?"   What We Cover: How social media algorithms build a wellness hive mind — and why it's designed to make you anxious Why trending health advice (cold plunges, protein loading, perimenopause supplements) may not be right for your specific body The Ayurvedic framework of four lenses: time of life, time of day, time of year, and habituation Why "shoulding" yourself is the enemy of real, lasting wellness The 15-minute morning awareness practice that costs nothing and changes everything How Ayurveda's 20 qualities give you a personal language for understanding your own body A preview of an upcoming episode on blood work: do we actually need it?   Health Disclaimer: The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    40 min
  7. 72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products

    FEB 18

    72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products

    Is your makeup toxic? Beauty industry insider Laura Olson—who spent decades writing product labels for major luxury brands—reveals what clean beauty actually means, why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag, and how to navigate greenwashing and health-washing. Learn which apps help you shop safer (Yuka, EWG Skin Deep), which stores you can trust (Credo), and which ingredients to avoid (parabens, sulfates, nano zinc). Laura shares her honest approach: she still uses conventional hair gel because no clean version works, but prioritizes clean products for eyes, lips, and daily use. Discover how to balance effectiveness with safety, why beauty regulations are stuck in 1938, and how to enjoy products for fun without falling for industry manipulation. Key Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: Questions about clean beauty [03:00] - Laura's background as beauty editor and copywriter [06:00] - How yoga changed everything [09:00] - What "clean beauty" actually means (unregulated) [12:00] - Major ingredient offenders: sulfates, parabens, fragrance [18:00] - Why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag [21:00] - Apps and resources: Yuka, EWG Skin Deep [27:00] - Trusted stores and brands: Credo, Beautycounter [33:00] - The effectiveness problem: when clean products don't work [38:00] - Beauty regulations stuck in 1938 [42:00] - How copywriters use language to mislead [45:00] - Nail polish and acetone [48:00] - Where products touch your body matters [50:00] - Treats versus daily rituals [53:00] - Industry manipulation and women's insecurities [55:00] - Rapid fire questions   Find Laura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauraannolson/   Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    53 min
  8. 71. How To Start A Spiritual Practice Without Trying To Fix Yourself

    FEB 11

    71. How To Start A Spiritual Practice Without Trying To Fix Yourself

    Broadcasting from South India, Kate talks with her partner Rich Ray about the hidden pitfalls of learning Eastern spiritual traditions. They explore why so many of us turn spiritual teachings into self-judgment, how to recognize karmic conditioning without shame, and what Buddhist practice actually looks like when you stop chasing spiritual highs. This is an honest, grounded conversation about duality, ego, Maya, and the surprisingly simple path toward acceptance. If you've ever felt like you're doing spirituality wrong, this episode offers a compassionate reset. What We Cover Why we use spiritual teachings against ourselves The concept of Maya and how it creates confusion for Western seekers Rich's journey from spiritual highs to four years in silent Zen practice How ego conditioning keeps us feeling like we're doing it wrong The trap of believing you need to fix yourself before you can practice Cultural context and why Eastern philosophy feels disorienting for Westerners What it means to start where you are without changing anything How Ayurveda becomes an awareness practice that carves out spiritual relationship The first real step: being with yourself instead of judging yourself Guest Bio: Rich Ray Rich Ray is a longtime Zen Buddhist practitioner who spent four years living in silence at a meditation center. He is trained in awareness practice, karmic conditioning, and contemplative psychology. Rich has studied with Cheri Huber and continues to support practitioners in recognizing and working with ego patterns, duality, and suffering. He lives with Kate in the Berkshires and co-leads retreats integrating Ayurvedic and Buddhist wisdom. Take Home Practices Pause throughout your day and notice how you feel without judging it Practice observing your karmic patterns with kindness instead of criticism Don't try to fix yourself—just be with yourself Read Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön Notice when you're using busyness to avoid awareness Use simple Ayurvedic practices as a gateway to self-awareness Relevant Links Pema Chödrön: Start Where You Are Cheri Huber and Living Compassion Kate O'Donnell: healwithkate.org Call to Action If this conversation resonates, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone navigating their own spiritual questions. To explore deeper support for integrating Ayurvedic awareness into daily life, visit healwithkate.org. Health Disclaimer The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine. Spring Cleanse: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/kitchari-cleanse-ayurveda-spring Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024 Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate Bitter and Bold: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate1x5 Chyavanprash Herbal Jam: https://glnk.io/kovw3/kate5xi Save 15% with code WINTERWITHKATE

    31 min
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5
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Welcome to Everyday Ayurveda, a podcast by Kate O’Donnell, renowned Ayurvedic practitioner, bestselling author, and founder of the Ayurvedic Living Institute. Join Kate as she demystifies the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and translates it into practical, everyday practices for modern living. In each episode, Kate shares her deep knowledge and personal experiences from over two decades of studying Ayurveda in India. Whether you’re new to Ayurveda or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll discover valuable insights on diet, lifestyle, self-care, and holistic health. Everyday Ayurveda is your go-to resource for integrating the timeless principles of Ayurveda into your daily routine, fostering a life of balance, health, and happiness. Subscribe now and start your journey towards radiant well-being with Kate O’Donnell. Listen, learn, and transform with Everyday Ayurveda – because true health begins with the choices we make every day.

Information

  • Creator
    Kate O’Donnell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Kate O’Donnell
  • Show Website
    Everyday Ayurveda with Kate

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