A big part of the Ayurvedic diet is learning how to properly prepare and cook your meals.
This act should be performed with awareness and it is important to cook and prepare the food you are going to eat with the mindset of being healthy.
Preparing your meals without really being conscious doesn’t allow you to fully be present and appreciate the process using the right methods as outlined in the Ayurvedic diet.
Here are a few valuable tips on how to cook your meals for better health and wellness.
1. Cook with feel good emotions and a positive mental attitude. In Ayurveda your state of mind and attitude becomes part of the food you are handling and preparing.
If you are angry or anxious while cooking then that’s the energy you’re putting into the food and, feeding yourself and others.
Be in a joyful state when you cook and show love and kindness toward the food you are going to create, eat and share.
2. Maintain a connection with your food. Be gentle and handle your food as if you were handling a little baby.
When possible use simple non-electric hand tools to prepare your food. For example, grind your spice with a brick & mortar.
Allow your hands to come in contact with the food you are preparing and feel its energy. Having a loving relationship with your food and this in turn will nurture your mind and body.
3. Prepare & cook your food with the right Ayurveda herbs & spices. There are a wide variety of herbs and spices that you can incorporate to make your food tasty.
Stay tuned for many articles on this blog outlining and describing various Ayurvedic herbs. In fact many you may be familiar with many Ayurvedic herbs such as turmeric, ginger, coriander, cumin, cayenne and muster seed which are found in Indian curry’s and sauces.
4. Cook at regular times. This is a simple tip which can be very effective in developing proper regular eating times.
By getting into the habit of cooking at regular times and eating at regular times your body can regulate its metabolism creating a state of homeostasis and balance. This is essential for your health and wellness.
5. Use the proper oils and ghee when cooking. This is an important part of the Ayurveda diet. Each dosha or constitution is recommended a specific type of oil and to use in cooking and preparing foods.
Most common oils are coconut oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower oil and ghee.
Ghee (clarified butter) which is delicious can be made quite easily and is good for most people – check out my ayurvedic ghee recipe.
Ghee and oils have many benefits – one of the most important is that they provide lubrication for many areas of your body including you internal tissues and organs.
Use non-hydrogenated, unrefined and cold pressed oils which can be found at most health food stores.
Remember when cooking, your food should not only taste good but also smell good and be pleasant to look at. Prepare, cook and eat your food in pleasant surroundings and good company. Engage your senses and most of all, enjoy the process.