The power of good food
Food has the power to prevent much of the chronic illness people everywhere are experiencing today. And, in many cases, it can treat chronic illness in a safer and more balanced way than most pharmaceuticals. I’m not saying we should never use drugs, but they ought to not necessarily be the first port of call. Putting time and effort into preparing and eating a fresh, whole-food diet means you are getting food intact with all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are in the food. Studies have found that nutrients keep your immune system strong, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, many types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
I believe the practice of eating well is essential to yogis if they are to receive the benefits from their regular practices of asana, pranayama and meditation. Food choices, preparation and consumption (the bit I like the most) are like an additional practice to support all the other practices.
Food brings prana, or life force, into our bodies. Eating a fresh whole-foods diet, rather than processed foods, means you are ingesting foods with a high vibration and are very healing, giving us what we need on many levels. Live foods (fresher the better) have the most pranic value of any food because they are the closest to being alive. Packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients; sprouted grains, beans, vegetables, nuts, seeds, etc. assist with digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. Most report feeling an immediate increase in energy and enthusiasm after consuming live foods.
Experience speaks for itself
I have experienced the difference between eating things that have no nutritional value (and, in fact, have properties that cause harm), and eating wholesome foods. This has happened when I have taken foods in restaurants with groups of friends. Perhaps cheap oils are used or day-old foods are served, or perhaps there are preservatives, colouring and additives in the more processed foods. The next day my energy levels are lower as the body deals with the poor quality foods. Sometimes I experience stiffness in the joints or a release of mucus. Equally, I have had friends tell me their morning run was so much more effortless, and their energy levels higher, after having a nourishing meal at our home the night before.
Share the love! A wacky notion? I think not!
In addition to committing to using fresh, wholesome ingredients, another most important ingredient is the energy or love put into the food. Sounds whacky but on a practical level, cooking when you are stressed or busy means you are less attentive. So you sometimes slightly burn the spices, making them bitter, or you over-cook the food and destroy the nutrients. So, yes – when a meal cooked with love, the food seems to taste better and, I believe, may even nourish us more than food prepared by a cook who is stressed or in a foul mood.