Preparing for your Ayahuasca ceremony at Two Birds Church involves mindful dietary choices that support your physical well-being and spiritual journey. Our Dieta emphasizes safety, balance, and enjoyment, ensuring that your meals are both nourishing and conducive to a transformative experience. By focusing on wholesome, plant-based foods that are safe to consume with Ayahuasca’s MAOI components, you create an optimal environment for a meaningful and profound ceremony.
Embrace the Abundance of Plant-Based Foods
While the Dieta involves reducing or eliminating certain foods, it opens up a vibrant array of nourishing and delicious options. Focus on the abundance of plant-based foods available to you, making your meals both healthy and enjoyable.
Salads and Fresh Greens
Salads:
Create fresh, vibrant salads using a variety of greens such as lettuce, kale, arugula, and spinach. Enhance your salads with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or tahini for healthy fats and added flavor.
Benefits:
Salads provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, supporting your body’s detoxification processes and overall health during the Dieta.
Vegetables
Incorporate a diverse selection of vegetables that are nutrient-dense and easy to digest. Opt for:
- Beets, Carrots, Zucchini, Squash, Pumpkin, Celery
- Broccoli, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Kale, Lettuces
- Corn, Bok Choy, Swiss Chard, Arugula, Cabbage
- Cucumbers, Sweet Potatoes, Watercress, Brussels Sprouts, Mushrooms
Benefits:
These vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They support your body’s natural detoxification processes, promote digestive health, and provide sustained energy.
Meats and Dairy
While the Dieta primarily focuses on plant-based foods, certain meats and dairy products can be included in moderation during the initial stages of preparation (Refer to the 2week guide). However, it is recommended to reduce their intake leading up to the ceremony to ensure optimal digestion and detoxification.
Safe Meats and Dairy:
- Eggs: A high-quality protein source rich in essential nutrients. Enjoy them boiled, scrambled, or as an omelette with fresh herbs.
- Organic Chicken: Opt for small portions of organic chicken, preferably grilled or baked, to maintain protein intake without overburdening your digestive system.
- Fish (Freshwater Fish like Tilapia or Cod): Provide essential omega-3 fatty acids. Consume in limited quantities, prepared simply by grilling or baking.
- Dairy Alternatives: Choose plant-based options such as almond milk, soy milk, or coconut yogurt. These alternatives are easier to digest and free from lactose.
Recommendations:
- Reduce Intake: Gradually decrease the consumption of eggs, chicken, and fish starting two week before the ceremony. This helps your body adjust and reduces the digestive load.
- Eliminate Completely: Two days before the ceremony, fully eliminate all meats and dairy products from your Dieta. This ensures that your digestive system is clean and minimizes any potential discomfort during the ceremony.
- Preparation Tips: Focus on plant-based proteins like legumes and beans during this final phase. Ensure that meals remain balanced with ample vegetables and whole grains to support overall health and detoxification.
Benefits: Reducing and eventually eliminating meat and dairy supports healthier digestion and allows your body to focus on the detoxification process. This transition enhances your ability to engage deeply with the Ayahuasca ceremony, promoting a clearer and more focused mindset.
Legumes and Beans
Include a variety of legumes and beans to maintain energy levels and provide plant-based protein:
- Kidney Beans, Adzuki Beans, Black Beans, Mung Beans
- Lentils (Orange, Green, Yellow), Pinto Beans, Chickpeas
Benefits:
Legumes are excellent sources of protein and fiber, promoting sustained energy and digestive health. They are versatile and can be incorporated into salads, soups, stews, and grain bowls.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are essential for sustained energy and overall health. Incorporate the following into your meals:
- Grains: Quinoa, Millet, Brown Rice
- Cereals: Puffed Rice and Wheat, Corn Flakes, Shredded Wheat, Plain Oats, Oatmeal, Plain Cream of Wheat
- Pasta: Brown Rice Pasta, Mung Bean Pasta, Adzuki Bean Pasta, Chickpea Pasta
- Breads: Whole Grain Breads, Sprouted Varieties
- Crackers: Whole Grain Crackers with Minimal Additives
Benefits:
Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, and iron, supporting your body’s energy needs and maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Including cereals and crackers offers a balanced mix of carbohydrates and fiber, keeping you energized and satisfied throughout the day without added sugars or heavy processing. Additionally, options like chickpea pasta and sprouted breads enhance protein intake and ease digestion, ensuring your meals are both nutritious and conducive to the Dieta.
Fruits
Incorporating a variety of fruits into your Dieta provides essential vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars to support your energy levels and overall health. All fruits listed below are safe to consume with Ayahuasca’s MAOI components, as they are low in tyramine and free from substances that can interact negatively with MAOIs.
Safe Fruits:
- Apples: High in fiber and vitamin C, apples support digestion and immune function.
- Bananas: Provide potassium and natural sugars for sustained energy.
- Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries): Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, promoting overall health.
- Oranges and Citrus Fruits: Excellent sources of vitamin C and hydration.
- Pears: High in fiber and vitamins, aiding in digestion and maintaining energy levels.
- Grapes: Offer natural sugars and antioxidants, supporting sustained energy.
- Peaches and Nectarines: Provide vitamins A and C, along with dietary fiber.
- Pineapple: Contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids in digestion and reduces inflammation.
- Mangoes: Rich in vitamins A and C, supporting immune health and skin integrity.
- Melons (Cantaloupe, Honeydew): High in water content and vitamins, promoting hydration and nutrient intake.
Benefits: These fruits are nutrient-dense and easy to incorporate into your meals or enjoy as snacks. They support your body’s detoxification processes, provide natural energy, and enhance your overall nutritional intake without posing any risks related to MAOI interactions.
Herbs and Spices
Enhance the flavor of your meals with fresh herbs and natural spices. These not only add delicious flavors but also offer various health benefits, supporting your body’s healing and detoxification processes during the Dieta.
Fresh Herbs
- Mint: Adds a refreshing flavor to salads and drinks. Great for digestion and cooling the body.
- Basil: Perfect for adding a sweet and slightly peppery flavor to dishes like salads, soups, and stir-fries.
- Cilantro: Offers a bright, citrusy taste, ideal for salads, salsas, and garnishing soups.
- Rosemary: Provides a pine-like aroma, excellent for seasoning roasted vegetables and grains.
- Kaffir Lime Leaves: Adds a distinctive citrus flavor to soups and stir-fries. Use sparingly as they are potent.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger can be grated into dishes or made into a paste to add warmth and spice without relying on salt or heavy spices.
- Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can be added to curries, soups, and rice dishes.
- Dill: Adds a tangy, slightly grassy flavor, perfect for salads, dips, and roasted vegetables.
- Thyme: Offers a subtle earthy flavor, ideal for seasoning vegetables, grains, and legumes.
- Galangal (Thai Ginger): Provides a sharp, citrusy flavor, commonly used in Asian-inspired dishes.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh, clean taste to a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, and grain bowls.
- Oregano: Perfect for Mediterranean-inspired dishes, adding a robust flavor to vegetables and grains.
- Sage: Offers a strong, savory flavor, great for seasoning roasted vegetables and whole grains.
- Marjoram: Similar to oregano but milder, ideal for seasoning a variety of plant-based dishes.
- Tarragon: Adds a unique anise-like flavor, suitable for salads, sauces, and marinades.
Natural Spices
- Paprika: Adds a mild, sweet pepper flavor to soups, stews, and roasted vegetables.
- Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor, excellent for seasoning beans, grains, and vegetables.
- Coriander: Offers a citrusy, nutty flavor, perfect for adding depth to salads, soups, and stews.
- Black Pepper: Use sparingly to add a subtle heat and enhance overall flavor without overwhelming the dish.
- Cinnamon: Adds a sweet and warm flavor, great for oatmeal, smoothies, and certain vegetable dishes.
- Nutmeg: Use a small amount to add a warm, nutty flavor to sweet and savory dishes alike.
Flavor Enhancers
- Ginger-Turmeric Paste: Create a flavorful paste by blending fresh ginger and turmeric with water. Add this paste to soups, stews, or salads to boost flavor without relying on salt or heavy spices.
Benefits:
Fresh herbs and spices not only add vibrant flavors but also offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, supporting your body’s healing and detoxification processes.
Teas
Include a variety of teas in your Dieta to support hydration and gradual reduction of caffeine intake:
- Guayusa: A highly recommended natural stimulant that helps wean off coffee, providing a steady energy boost without the jitters associated with caffeine.
- Mate: Another natural stimulant that offers robust flavor and sustained energy, aiding in reducing dependency on higher stimulant beverages like coffee and energy drinks.
- Herbal Caffeine-Free Teas: Choose from a variety of soothing options such as chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos to support relaxation and hydration.
Why These Teas?
These teas are included to help you gradually reduce your reliance on caffeine and energy drinks, preventing withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability. By weaning off higher stimulants before the ceremony, you ensure a smoother transition and a more comfortable Ayahuasca experience. Maintaining this reduction helps you avoid the discomfort of caffeine withdrawal during the ceremony weekend where caffeine will not be available.
Embrace the Abundance
The Dieta at Two Birds Church is designed to be approachable and supportive, emphasizing the rich variety of foods you can enjoy. By focusing on what you can eat, rather than what you can’t, you cultivate a positive and nourishing relationship with food. Explore creative vegan recipes, experiment with fresh herbs and spices, and delight in the vibrant flavors of a plant-based diet. Incorporate staple items available at your local grocery store, such as chickpeas and chickpea pasta, to maintain variety and enjoyment in your meals.
Feel free to reach out to our team at Two Birds Church if you have any questions or need further assistance in adhering to the Dieta. We are here to support you in creating the optimal conditions for your Ayahuasca ceremony and your ongoing spiritual growth.