How your food is prepared is as important as what food you prepare. This section gives you some tips and suggestions for making your cooking and dining experience pleasurable.
Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. –– Harriet Van Horne
- A clean body, a clear mind and a clean kitchen are prerequisites to cooking. Vedic food is always offered to the divine before it is served. Thus a simple prayer silently invoked is a good way to begin cooking.
- Cook with reverence because you are taking care of your health and well-being. It is one of the greatest acts of self-nurturance.
- Cook in a pleasant environment and enjoy the process with loved ones.
- Eat at approximately the same time each day. For optimal digestion, absorption and elimination have breakfast by 8:00 – 8:30 P.M., lunch by Noon – 1:00 P.M. and finish dinner by 7:00 P.M.
- Indulge in pleasant conversation or enjoy the taste and texture of foods in your mouth in silence.
- Value the dietary change that is required when the seasons change.
- Eat the most fresh, organic foods that are available seasonally to experience abundant prana (life-force) in your body/mind. Make it a habit to shop at farmers’ markets.
- The best pans to use for cooking are clay, stainless steel or cast iron. Ideally, a gas stove is best. Avoid Teflon and nonstick pans, aluminum and other coated pans to avoid toxins.
- Honor the needs of your body – stressful situations require less food intake. Try not to eat heavy foods when you are sad, lonely
or upset. - Sip warm water with your meals. Avoid icy, cold drinks.
- Eat foods containing all six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent to feel satiated.
- Bless your food each time you dine.
- Remember you are what you eat.
- After you eat, be sure to remain seated for ten to fifteen minutes. Too much activity immediately after eating impairs digestion.
If you have time, take a brief and leisurely stroll. Napping after meals is not advisable. A healthy, balanced meal will give you energy and leaves you feeling cheerful and satiated.
Aparna Khanolkar is the Mistress of Spice and a creative Ayurvedic chef who teaches people to master the mystery of their kitchen. She runs a workshop series for women called Shakti Rising and is the author of the new cookbook, Happy Belly, Happy Soul. Find her at: themistressofspice.com.
Ayurvedic Practitioners:
Love and Prana with Vaidya Mishra
This Valentine’s celebrate your love with Vaidya Mishra in his special course Love and Prana: Karma, Kama, Vajikarna, and Kamagni on Saturday, February 13, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. The day includes a delicious break for sampling herbal snacks (recipes will be given out). Call the Prana Center for more info: (888) 3Chandi or visit: chandika.com and click on “knowledge” to register online. Register by February 1 to recieve an early bird discount of $30. Bring your loved one(s).
SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, April 13. The next CAAM evening sangha event will be Tuesday night, April 13, beginning at 6:00 P.M. with a talk by Dr. U.K. Krishna. This gathering is opening to everyone, so join us if you want to learn more about Ayurveda, meet practitioners or learn some helpful hints for daily life. Donations support the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. Stay tuned for more details or email: Ayurveda@layogamagazine.com.
Find an ayurvedic practitioner:
California Association of Ayurvedic
Medicine: ayurveda-caam.org
National Ayurvedic Medical
Association: ayurveda-nama.org
To advertise in this special advertising section listing Ayurvedic practitioners and practices, contact: ayurveda@layogamagazine.com
Individuals:
James Bailey, LAc, MATCM, MPH and Dipl Ayu. Sevanti Wellness, full service clinic with acupuncture, Oriental medicine and Ayurveda, since 1990. Tuesday is seva day: sliding scale treatments reserved for those in financial hardship. Reduced rate treatments available for people with cancer. Sevanti Wellness, 1502 Montana Avenue, CA. (310) 393 – 4124;james@sevanti.com
Dr. Mark Vinick, DC, CAS, chiropractic, Ayurveda, Shakti Energy HealingTM, nutrition, anti-aging, marma therapy, stress reduction techniques and meditation. Board certified in pain management, anti-aging and Ayurvedic medicine. 1860 S. Elena Ave, Suite A, Redondo Beach, CA. (310) 375 – HEAL; Drmarkvinick.com
Vaidya R. K. Mishra practices at the Prana Center in Chatsworth. (818) 709 – 1005. Vaidyamishra.com.
Dr. Aditya Sharma, Ayurvedic consultations, detoxification, weight management, nutrition and more. Geeta Ayurveda Healing Center. Beverly Hills Office: (310) 623 – 4415. Simi Valley Office: (805) 584 – 9025
Pancha karma at Blue Sage Sanctuary with Ragaia Belovarac and a team of well-trained compassionate practitioners. Immersion programs, healing retreats, pancha karma and individualized therapies in a pristine setting: bluesage-sanctuary.com
Pilar Chandler, LMT, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. Consultations, nutrition, stress reduction, massage, aromatherapy, classes in cooking, natural remedies at Shri Veda Wellness. 445 E.17th St. Suite J. Costa Mesa. (949) 310-3226
By Aparna Khanolkar
