Food can be one of the greatest long-term contributors to your health or lack of it.
You have probably heard the expression “you are what you eat” and Vedantic philosophy agrees with that statement.
As our bodies are composed of the foods we eat, we cannot expect to heal without changing our diets.
Vendanta teaches a way of self-knowledge. Looking beyond the confinements of the body and mind to go deep to the core of who we really are.
This valuable perspective can be beautifully applied to food and healing.
So, if you are looking for ways to find harmony and happiness, then yes, Vedic cooking can be something you love!
SATTVA, RAJAS & TAMAS
To go deeper into what Vedanta is, read my What is Vedanta? post.
Basically, Vedanta is the science of consciousness. Vedanta teaches us to discover our true-self through various holistic techniques so we can stop harming ourselves and others. That is the end point. To avoid pain and violence.
And oh boy! do we harm ourselves with bad, artificial diets, wrong lifestyles, diminishing relationships, and overstimulation of our senses.
Therefore, talking about the three gunas or forces in life is really important: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas govern all that happens inside and outside of us. The microcosm and macrocosm premise.
I have found that Rajas coincides with a Vata/Pitta aggravated energy: endless to-do lists, violence, alcohol, drugs, impure living, immorality, “love-hate” relationships, over exercise, too much sex, and harsh speech. Although Rajas is very important in nature and our lives as it enables things to transform, we need to make sure it doesn’t go wild. It is key that we engage in self-reflection so Rajas is balanced by a counter force that brings peace, rest, and nourishment to our soul.
Tamas brings the force of an aggravated Vata / Kapha. Stagnation, inertia, death, decay, decline, and destruction. Note that some of these characteristics might coincide with Vata more so than with Kapha. Obviously, this is a force we must be careful with. Tamas makes us understand we need movement and take action.
Lastly, we have Sattva. Sattva develops is us the qualities of peace of mind, happiness, contentment, stillness, and non-action. Based on Vedic teachings, by cultivating a Sattvic state of mind we can reach deep inside us and discover who we are.
All doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, can achieve a Sattvic and harmonious state of mind.
SATTVIC LIFESTYLE
So, cultivating Sattva is the goal for us here. Feeling happy and content, while still achieving our conscious goals and helping others.
That might mean changing our lifestyle a bit. Going outdoors – I say this a lot because Sattva is in space, in nature – having peaceful and nurturing relationships, and being humble.
However, diet is also an important way to nourish our Sattvic force. The Upanishads, Vedic Sanskrit texts, say that the subtle part of food goes to our mind and so what we eat can put us closer to being conscious and finding happiness or not.
Is there a more important intention in one’s life than being happy?
Are you aware that your current eating habits might take you our of your vortex of positivity and harmony?
Are you willing to cook in a way that feeds – quite literally – your soul?
VEDIC COOKING PRINCIPLES
Taking as given that the cook is preparing the food with love and care, in a clean kitchen, and that healthy fats are used in the cooking process, these are some other valuable Vedic cooking principles:
SEASONALITY
Your diet should be aligned with the climate and seasons you are living. For example, an anti-vata diet should be followed during fall, an anti-Pitta diet should be done in late spring and summer, and an anti-Kapha diet should be followed in winter and late spring. In regards to climate this is a basic way to see it:
- Anti-Vata diet – Appropriate for cold, dry, windy climates
- Anti-Pitta diet – Appropriate for hot, humid climates
- Anti-Kapha diet – Appropriate for damp, cold regions
If you are feeling signs of aggravation in your body, you might need to have a more personalized approach to your condition. Schedule a consultation today and let’s chat about it.
SPICES
Using spices in your cooking can be a life changer. Specially, if you are aware of your current Vikruti or constitution.
Coriander, cumin, mint, saffron, turmeric, and vanilla are some tridoshic spices – good for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – that can give your meals a nice and exotic taste in addition to providing unique health benefits to your food.
SO FRESH!
Freshness of ingredients is key in Vedic cooking as they are the ones with more Prana or vitality! Make sure that you don’t eat – at least regularly – canned, frozen, and processed foods.
If you are not used to spending time in the kitchen, I am sorry to break the news, but feeling full of vitality involves cooking. So, try to eat freshly cooked meals as much as possible and avoid reheating and eating leftovers.
This principle means to basically eat PRANIC foods. Foods that have as much life and energy as possible.
VEGETARIAN
Eating a Vegetarian diet stimulates your Sattvic forces. Since it doesn’t harm others, it’s a non-violent way of feeding your body.
Nowadays, there are many ways to prepare plant-based foods in yummy ways that help with reducing the intake of meat which is tamasic in nature and induces to stagnation and decay in the body.
So, is Vedic cooking a thing for you?
Happy Healing!
Monica Gisella xx
