Alchemy Ayurveda

This !! 🔥

There is so much shame and taboo around menstruation in India and in many parts of the world, greatly influenced by patriarchy and colonialism.

It’s important to decolonize our history as Indians and non-Indians and understand the real roots and teachings of Santana Dharma (Eternal Order). Santana Dharma is commonly referred to as Hinduism and a religion - this is a colonial reductionist interpretation.

Also, there are other temples in other parts of India where the Goddess menstruates. This is the most famous one.

Thank you .chakra for this very informative post 🙏🏽

Jai Ma 🔥

**ra

What an exquisite setting for a concert overlooking the beautiful Pacific!

Today’s stunning concert by willl be followed next Friday by Egyptian violinist
Can’t wait !

Part of the world music sunset serenade series at
Heisler park amphitheater in Laguna Beach.

🍃Ayurveda reset starts soon. You can still join me and a lovely group of folks

🍃Happening online so you can join from anywhere.

🍃Can’t join on exact cleanse dates? Join when you can during cleanse window and customize it to your schedule

🍃In a supportive group setting.

🍃Private FB group (optional).

🍃The benefits ?

🍃A much needed pause on all levels, an opportunity to go within, as well as clearer skin, better digestion, weight loss and feeling lighter, energized and more balanced.

🍃A gentle easy detox where you will be guided every step of the way

🍃2 days of pre-cleanse to ease in and

🍃6 days of cleanse on mostly mono-diet of Ayurveda’s perfect food Kichadi and optional green juicing

🍃Yummy recipes - Kichadi, accompaniments, teas….

🍃Guidance on post cleanse protocol so you can continue to reap the benefits of your cleanse

🍃This reset is for body, mind and spirit so

🍃Everyday guided meditation circles (will be recorded as well)

🍃Tools for Pratyahara - going within

🍃Cleanse support meetings - pre, during and post (will be recorded as well)

🍃Investment - $130

🍃DM me and Venmo -Ramaswamy to register

🍃Let’s do this together ♥️🙏🏽

☀️Wednesday blessings and Happy June🙏🏽

🔸It’s a beautiful day to honor Lord Vishnu ♥️

🔸The eternal call of Lord Vishnu, the balancer and preserver of Dharma

☀️We evoke the peaceful energy of Lord Vishnu on this day - seen here ina beautiful sketch

🔸Mantra and prayer circle this evening at 5 pm PDT

☀️ 15 minutes of powerful collective energy that multiplies as blessings into the world - blessings that the world and her beings need especially at this time 🙏🏽

🔸Fall into the peaceful bliss of my favorite mantra “Om Namo Narayanaya”

☀️via Zoom #2345567788

🔸All are welcome to mantra and prayer circle - free or by donation from your heart

Venmo : Sandhiya-Ramaswamy

Om Shanti 🙏🏽

🔱 New moon blessings - this new moon kicks off a creative and courageous new cycle of possibility 🔥

🔥There is no greater embodiment of courage than Ma Durga 🔱

🔱So join us for today’s mantra magic
“Om Dum Durgayei Namaha ” 🔥

🔱 Calling in Ma Durga’s fiercely protective energy

🔱 5 pm PDT via zoom

🔱15 minutes of chanting and meditation

🔱Via zoom #2345567788
Link in Bio

🔱All are welcome to mantra and prayer circle - Free or by donation

Venmo : Sandhiya-Ramaswamy

Om Shanti 🙏🏽

🍃It’s time for a late spring Ayurveda reset. I so need a reset. Do you??

🍃Happening online so you can join from anywhere.

🍃In a supportive group setting.

🍃Private FB group (optional).

🍃The benefits ?

🍃A much needed pause on all levels, an opportunity to go within, as well as clearer skin, better digestion, weight loss and feeling lighter, energized and more balanced.

🍃A gentle easy detox where you will be guided every step of the way

🍃2 days of pre-cleanse to ease in and

🍃6 days of cleanse on mostly mono-diet of Ayurveda’s perfect food Kichadi and optional green juicing

🍃Yummy recipes - Kichadi, accompaniments, teas….

🍃Guidance on post cleanse protocol so you can continue to reap the benefits of your cleanse

🍃This reset is for body, mind and spirit so

🍃Everyday guided meditation circles (will be recorded as well)

🍃Tools for Pratyahara - going within

🍃Cleanse support meetings - pre, during and post (will be recorded as well)

🍃Investment - $130

🍃DM me and Venmo -Ramaswamy to register

🍃Let’s do this together ♥️🙏🏽

This is an appreciation and gratitude post. And yes, it’s also a post about cooking & nourishment.

Yesterday I taught a group of budding Ayurveda students how to make the ‘perfect’ pot of Kichadi🍃

Today I taught another online cooking class for the employees of a corporate client - Delicious Dinner under 30 - 30 minutes that this

Made my all time favorites, seen here - Spicy Sweet Potato Kidney Bean & Kale soup along with Roasted Beet & Arugula salad (candied pecans, cherries, vegan feta and maple balsamic olive oil dressing make it oh so delicious) 🍃Pair this combo with a crusty loaf of bread (ciabatta or Baguette) and you got yourself a delicious meal !

Let me know If you are interested in private one on one, corporate or group cooking classes - plant based, seasonal and based on Ayurvedic principles

I am so incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that come my way - almost all of them come my way by word of mouth and referrals - Thank You 🙏🏽

Offering Plant based cooking classes is just one of my passions. This past week (which offers a glimpse into my work), I taught workshops on Yoga Philosophy, Ayurveda, guided Meditation, Mantra, and a conversation on Cultural Appropriation, along with mentoring my Ayurveda students and clients from all over the country and the world. To all the Ayurveda schools and Yoga programs that invite me to teach - I am incredibly greatful - Thank you 🙏🏽

I am so blessed to be able to share my love, passion & learnings of the great wisdom teachings of India. There are so many of you here that I have met through workshops, consults, cooking classes, yoga & Ayurveda programs & schools and retreats. Greatful for each and everyone of you. Thank you 🙏🏽

I would also like to offer gratitude for my previous avatar in Finance & Marketing in corporate America for 15 years post MBA. Every experience has shaped me and made me who I am today. For this I am grateful.



**ra

🍃Ayurveda + Herbalism = Potent Medicine - want to learn more?

🍃My dear friend Traci’s Ayurveda Herbalist & Practitioner program (online) starts on March 22 - see deets below

🍃A great combination of theory and medicine making practicum - including immersive community days which includes Ayurvedic cooking classes

🍃I am greatful to be a part of the teaching faculty along with other amazing teachers 🙏🏽

https://www.ayurvedicliving.com/ayurveda-herbalist-training


・・・
⛅ IT’S OFFICIAL - Doors to Vibrant Wellness and the Health Career of your DREAMS open today! ⛅ Our doors are open to YOU to join the upcoming Ayurveda Herbalist Training: Foundations and Core Systems which Starts March 22, 2022

Learn to heal yourself and others naturally they herbs, foods & lifestyle medicine, plus discover...

🌼ayurveda disease mapping and how to locate the root cause of imbalances

🌼 How to use herbs safely and effectively to address common and more obscure imbalances in all bodily systems

🌼Make your own herbal preparations

🌼Launch your Ayurveda Herbalist career or launch your herbal product line

Your Experience will Include:
🌸Weekly live class & video lessons
🌸Monthly Community Clinics Seeing Live Clients
🌸Seasonal hands on Ayurveda Herbal Preparations Making Immersions
🌸Monthly 1-on-1 private Ayurveda Health Sessions
🌸3-day Live Ayurveda Body Reading Immersion
🌸Optional: Ayurvedic Herbal Internship (included)
🌸Textbook Delivered to Your Doorstep

Sign up Deadline is MARCH 18✨

Schedule a ✨ FREE ✨ Discovery Call: https://ayurvedicliving.youcanbook.me/
Or
Learn more here or via the link in our bio: https://www.ayurvedicliving.com/ayurveda-herbalist-training

🔸Dear friends - seeking your participation, support and engagement for

🔸This amazing women-led, women’s empowerment focussed Fundraising event happening next Sunday 3/6 from 8 am - 2:30 pm PST that I am greatful to be a part of 🔸link below 🔸

🔸A day of inspiring classes, dialog, music and more offered by dynamic master teachers - see list below

🔸All with a goal to help fundraise for 3 organizations that empower underprivileged women in India and victims of sexual abuse and violence globally

🔸4 women led organizations have joined forces in bringing this event together Yoga Gives Back]] Exhale to Inhale]

🔸A day packed with offerings from amazing teachers of yoga, mantra, kirtan, Ayurveda, social Justice and more
.dcunha

🔸Donations start at $25

🔸50% need based scholarship available

🔸I will be offering a 40 minute Ayurveda cooking & nourishment class

🔸Please come and share so we we can spread the word and increase participation and funds for the organizations

🔸Link to register here ♥️

https://bit.ly/WomenInYogaEmpowerment2022

Thank you 🙏🏽

Repost Yoga Gives Back]]
・・・
Let's celebrate WOMEN-IN-YOGA for Int’l Women's Day, Sunday, March 6th! As an annual gathering, the panelists, leaders of international yoga organizations and communities, will join forces to deliver a thought-provoking dialogue and practice sessions that we hope will inspire you to with yoga: chanting, panel discussions, guided meditation, Ayurveda cooking and more! Minimum donation $25 will support three hosting Non Profit organizations who continue to empower underserved women in India and victims of violence and sexual abuse globally. Exhale to Inhale] ,and Yoga Gives Back]]. Register now: link in bio.

So… This Free Masterclass is happening tomorrow. Have you signed up? Link below❤️

🔸Sat 2/26 from 11am - 2 pm PST

🔸9 Asian women experts

🔸Short & powerful 15 minutes per speaker

🔸I will be speaking about Authenticity as a core leadership quality at 12:30pm

🔸Looking forward to listening to listening to all the other wonderful speakers including the creatrix of this amazing event !

Don’t miss this free Leadership Masterclass. Link below to sign up ❤️

https://tinyurl.com/mrxf8ybw

A Valentines Day Poem & Offering ♥️

Here’s looking at you my
Beloveds
On this day we have designated
The day of Love
These flowers are from me
to you
They are also from me to me
for the first time ever
No flowers from a beloved
this year
No flowers. No beloved.
No problem
Gratitude for a lifetime of
love and flowers received from
Beloveds
Gratitude for the knowledge
that all is Love
That I, you and everyone is
brimming with Love
So today and everyday I choose
To
Love the Love itself
and to be Love itself
I love you all
Happy Valentines Day ♥️

🌱Green juice is back on the menu ! Felt called to ‘detox’ after almost 2 months of indulgences. Anyone else feel me ?

🌱 This green beauty here is celery, green apple, cucumber and parsley. Made in a slow juicer, which I learned a few years ago from a client, is the only way to juice to preserve the most nutrients. So out went my Omega of 15 years with a steel blade to be replaced by this Omega, which is a slow juicer and no blades.

🌱 I have been a juicer for over 25 years now, when I discovered a book on juicing. On and off, but I always find my way back to it. I am a strong believer in the cleansing and rejuvenating power of green juices (vegetables and leafy greens, except for a small amount of green apple). And a little goes a long way. One does not need to drink giant cups of copious amount of juices. Just 6-8 oz. Even 4 oz. A few times a week is perfect for gentle cleansing and maintenance. Too much can be too detoxing all at once, and can dampen Agni.

🌱I also have many of my Ayurveda clients on a juicing protocol as part of my healing recommendations. If you are interested in getting a slow juicer, I would recommend the Hurom personal juicer, even though I have an Omega. It’s the perfect size, affordable and clean up is easy. Get it when it goes on sale 3-4 times a year.

Portal into the sacred. At the Hanuman temple 🙏🏽

🔱 inviting prayer requests to take with me to an ancient Shiva temple 🙏🏽

One of the first places I visit when I am in Chennai, is the 7th century Shiva temple (seen here) known as Marundeshwarar (literally Lord Of Medicine)

🔱Legend has it that Lord Shiva imparted magical medicine wisdom to Sage Agastya here

The entire temple complex is filled with medicinal plants and trees, like the Bilva revered in Ayurveda, and the favorite of Lord Shiva

🔱Over the years I have prayed to this Lord for health and healing for loved ones, family members and friends - he along with his beautiful consort Goddess Tripura Sundari, are powerful healers

If you would like me to include yourself or anyone in my prayers when I go the temple, please message me. I usually write down everyone’s names on a piece of paper and take it with me when I go the temple ♥️and Lord Shiva does the rest 🙏🏽

🔱Om Namah Shivaya

Photo credit 🙏🏽

🌟our last mantra collective of the year (I leave for mother India next week) 🙏🏽

🌟We evoke Goddess Mahalakshmi on this auspicious Wednesday in our mantra circle today at 5pm PST today

🔸Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha 🌟

🔸Via Zoom #2345567788

🔸Let’s evoke the beautiful soma energy of the Goddess of Abundance in our collective today. And send it out into the world

🔸All are welcome - I am so grateful to all of you for keeping these circles going 🙏🏽

Om Shanti

🍃Before the excesses of the holidays set in. Join me on a sweet and gentle yet powerful 5 day Ayurveda reset

🍃Who else is feeling the need to detox? to RESET. To go within. to RENEW

🍃 Mind. Body. Spirit.

🍃Join me for a 5 day gentle yet IMPACTFUL Ayurveda cleanse (Nov 16 - 20). An invitation to Pratyahara (going within)

🍃Some Benefits 🌟
Spirit - Connection and wholeness
Mind - Clarity and Focus
Body - Weight optimization and glowing skin inside & out

🍃GUIDED and supported every step of the way

🍃In the comfort of your own home

🍃Monodiet (Kichadi and/or vegan options)

🍃Optional juicing

🍃Shopping list and recipes

🍃Cooking videos

🍃Daily guided breathwork and meditation

🍃Movement options

🍃Ayurveda self-care practices

🍃Private FB group to inspire each other

🍃Ayurveda wisdom calls - pre, during and post cleanse - via Zoom and/or FB live

🍃Meetings will be recorded / available if you cannot make it live
🍃
🍃INVESTMENT - $80 (Venmo/Paypal/Zelle)

🍃REGISTER by November 15 (earlier the better so you can start preparing)

🍃DM me with any questions. Let’s do this ToGether ♥️



--

・・・
🍃Vignettes from Sunday’s cooking class

🍃Greatful for everyone who joined in person and via Zoom

🍃We made a complete vegan holiday meal

🍁Stuffed peppers & acorn squash with Georgian cilantro and a romescu sauce

🍁Vegan Mac n cheese

🍁Green beans with garlic, candied yams and a festive salad as sides

🍁Vegan dark chocolate mousse and 4 ingredient brownie for dessert and

🍁Apple cider toddy with a little b&b was our libation for this festive occasion

🍃Many herbs and spices were used as always to flavor the food and make it medicinal

🍃So much gratitude for my dear friend ♥️ for opening her beautiful heart and home to these classes and for her amazing support 🙏🏽

🍃and to my dear friend who helped so much in the kitchen as well 🙏🏽

🍃Stay tuned for classes in 2021 starting in January after my return from India ♥️

Honoring the divine healer Lord Dhanvantari, God of Ayurveda within me and within all beings 🙏🏽Today is his birthday. I wish you all amazing health of mind, body and spirit.

Read beautiful mythology and significance below.

Repost 🙏🏽
・・・
Dhanvantari : Dhanvantari Jayanti is celebrated as the birth of Lord Dhanvantari on the day of Dhanteras. Sri Dhanvantari is the father of the Ayurvedic treatment system.
🙏Manifestation : It is believed that during churning of sea, Moon was born in Sharad purnima, Kamdhenu Cow on Kartik Dwadasi, Dhanvantari on Trayodasi, Kali on Chaturdasi & Goddess Laxmi on Amavashya.
🙏Importance : Worship in the form of the god of medicine, Dhanvantari is given the supreme place in the Ayurvedic system of traditional medicine. He is said to be the physician of the Gods and the one who saves the world from all diseases. He is also considered a manifestation of Lord Vishnu.
🙏Physical appearance : Dhanvantari is shown as strong in physique, handsome in appearance, somewhat blue in complexion and wearing yellow clothes. He is four-armed, in one of which he holds a pot containing the precious Amrut, the liquid of immortality. In another hand, he holds a leech, the blood-sucking insect, which is believed to have played a crucial role in the ancient systems of medical treatment. The depictions also show him as a form of Lord Vishnu himself with his usual conch and discus, while he is also seen holding the scriptures, in some other places.
🙏Beliefs :Devotees pray to Dhanvantari for happiness, health, and prosperity. Dhanvantari matra can increase energy level, improve vitality and provide robust health.
ॐ नमो भगवते महासुदर्शनाय वासुदेवाय धन्वंतराये: अमृतकलश हस्ताय सर्व भयविनाशाय सर्व रोगनिवारणाय
त्रिलोकपथाय त्रिलोकनाथाय श्री महाविष्णुस्वरूप श्री धनवंतरी स्वरूप श्री श्री श्री औषधचक्र नारायणाय नमः॥

Today is 🍃

It seemed apt to share this important message from Food Empowerment Project] an organization at the intersection of food access & equity for all, protecting the rights of farm workers, honoring indigenous food culture, environmental sustainability and plant based food movement.

Going from being a lifelong vegetarian to a vegan has been a game-changer for me. I am constantly striving to be a more mindful vegan and my goal is to make plant based cooking accessible for all.



Food Empowerment Project]
・・・
Head over to our website, foodispower.org for tools and resources on becoming an informed consumer. 🌱 ❤️ ⠀

🍁Just a few spots left for my last cooking class of the year happening this Sunday

🍁You can attend in person or via zoom ! ⬅️♥️

🍁A complete multi-course Vegan Holiday Table inspired by the bounty of the season and the Ayurvedic science of nourishment

🍁Classics like Mac-n-cheese, candied yams and green beans and perhaps the main will be a vegan nut loaf or stuffed acorn squash or bell peppers with a duo of flavorful romesco and Georgian cilantro sauce (similar to chimichurri)

🍁Also holiday libation and of course dessert(s)

🍁In person happening at my lovely friend Julie’s home in San Clemente

🍁Zoom participants - you will be given the recipes and ingredient list and detailed prep instructions beforehand so you can shop and be ready for class; you will need to register by November 4

🍁 Investment - $90 - includes pre-class prep instructions (for Zoom attendees), cooking class, recipes, Ayurveda wisdom and dinner (for in person attendees)

🍁In person class limited to 8 participants so be sure to register

🍁Zoom participants must register by November 5

🍁Let’s get cooking 🧑🏽‍🍳

🍁My last cooking class of the year is a crowd favorite ♥️

🍁And you can attend in person or via zoom !

🍁A complete multi-course Vegan Holiday Table inspired by the bounty of the season and the Ayurvedic science of nourishment

🍁Classics like Mac-n-cheese, candied yams and green beans and perhaps the main will be a vegan nut loaf or stuffed acorn squash or bell peppers with a duo of flavorful romesco and Georgian cilantro sauce (similar to chimichurri)

🍁Also holiday libation and of course dessert(s)

🍁In person happening at my lovely friend Julie’s home in San Clemente

🍁Zoom participants - you will be given the recipes and ingredient list and detailed prep instructions beforehand so you can shop and be ready for class; you will need to register by November 1

🍁 Investment - $90 - includes pre-class prep instructions (for Zoom attendees), cooking class, recipes, Ayurveda wisdom and dinner (for in person attendees)

🍁In person class limited to 8 participants so be sure to register

🍁Zoom participants must register by November 1

🍁Let’s get cooking 🧑🏽‍🍳

Navaratri Blessings everyone 🌺

Celebrating the Divine Feminine in all of us 🙏🏽 Especially those of us who are female and/or identify as such.

Jai Ma 🔱

The Divine Feminine is Shakti, Prakriti, Maya

The Divine Masculine is Shiva, Purusha, Brahman

One does not exist without the other.

Starting today for the next 9 days is a great time for prayer, meditation and contemplation ♥️

Photo credit .twam.asi 🙏🏽
・・・
Happy Navratri 🌸🙏🌸

🔸Is super-star spice star anise in your spice-medicine cabinet?

🔸A traditional staple in Chinese 5 spice mixture, this beautiful rock star spice has potent

🔸Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal benefits along with being an excellent digestive aid

🔸And healthy digestion = Healthy immunity

🔸It also has antiviral properties - shikmic acid the main ingredient in Tamiflu is synthesized from star anise

🔸With a sweet and licorice-y taste, it makes a yummy tea (brew along with cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and fresh ginger for more health benefits)

🔸Use to flavor rice dishes, soups and stews - I use it in all my curry dishes

🔸If you are cooking with it sauté spice (whole or ground) in oil first to coax the volatile therapeutic compounds in the spice, most of which are fat soluble

🔸Head over to my blog (link below) to learn more about this amazing spice and other rock-star spices and herbs along with many yummy vegan Ayurvedic recipes 🍃

https://alchemyayurveda.com/blog/

🍃Delicious Recipes alert🍃

🍃Want to cook nutritious and well balanced Ayurvedic dishes and meals that are yummy and simple to make ?

🍃And use Herbs and spices as medicine in your food ?

🍃I make Ayurvedic cooking easy and delicious so it’s accessible to everyone. And it’s all Whole Foods and Plant based (vegan)

🍃Head to my blog - link below to get started - so many recipes including 2 Kichadi recipes (one of them my Amma’s), vegetable, grains and legume dishes including this beauty here - spiced cashew curry

🍃Many of you have expressed interest in my cooking classes - more of them are coming both in person and yes online !

🍃But in the meantime or if you cannot make it to my classes, you have this resource to get started cooking !

🍃And feel free to share with anyone who could benefit from a food as medicine cooking and eating approach.

https://alchemyayurveda.com/blog/

🍃And let me know how the recipes turn out !

Photo credit by dear friend and amazing food photographer

🍃So what did we cook in yesterday’s Ayurvedic vegan Indian cooking class ?

🍃6 dishes showcasing

🍃12 vegetables and greens, almost 20 herbs & spices, 2 whole grains (quinoa and basmati rice), chickpeas and coconut

🍃3 vegetable and green dishes

🍃Coconut stew with hatch chilies, green beans, sweet potato, spinach & chickpeas
and myriad spices

🍃Oven Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli with 8 spice Garam masala (spice mixture)

🍃Dill and 3 spiced carrot, zucchini and cabbage

🍃Quinoa Basmati rice pilaf with more veggies - peas, carrots, green beans

🍃Green chutney - cilantro, mint, ginger and more spices

🍃A crisp salad - shredded cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, onions and herbs dressed with lime

🍃Oh there was a 7th dish - watermelon cucumber mint salad served as an appetizer

🍃All 6 tastes of Ayurveda were represented

🍃Sweet with the whole grains, sweet potato, carrots and coconut (also there were dates in the chutney)

🍃Salty - Salt - Himalayan pink salt

🍃Sour - Lemon & lime juice

🍃Pungent - all the SPICES !

🍃Astringent - Chickpeas, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli along with other vegetables (except root vegetables as they are considered sweet)

🍃Bitter - Spinach, Cilantro, Cabbage (raw)

🍃Seventh taste - crunch ♥️hence the crisp salad

🍃Incorporating the 6 tastes in your meal will leave you completely satiated

🍃Spices used - star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, turmeric, cayenne, coriander, cumin, fennel, paprika, nutmeg, pungents - ginger, garlic, jalapeño and red onion

🍃Herbs - cilantro, mint, dill

🍃You have heard me say that your spice cabinet is your medicine cabinet - these herbs and spices offer us potent antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties along with being superb digestive aids. Why is this important?

🍃Because healthy Digestion = Healthy Vibrant Immunity

🍃Digestion is the foundation of good health and immunity !

🍃So much Gratitude for so many things including to everyone who came to class and to my sweet friend Julie for opening her beautiful kitchen and home to us ♥️

🍃Sign up for next class - Sunday Sep 19 from 1-4 pm

🍃I love this so much. Who else needs to hear this?

🍃Not just on climate change, but on so many other challenges confronting us- racial, economic, social injustice as well as the situation with the pandemic that we find ourselves in

🍃We quietly do the work while remaining hopeful

🍃There is a beautiful Hindi/Urdu saying in India I grew up with - one of my favorites

🍃”Umeed pe Duniya Kayam Hai” Hope makes the world go around !

🍃To hope is to LOVE

Thank you for this important message for these times 🙏🏽


・・・
Given the most recent IPCC report and an overflooding feed of fearmongering climate news, we thought this needed to be said.

Yes, we must recognize our planet is bleeding.

But we must also be clear on the true causes for this destruction.

It started with the separation of humans from nature. This paradigm has led to colonialism, capitalism, extraction and industrialism. This is what we must confront. This is what we must fight against.

We are not fragile beings. Earth is certainly not fragile. Together, we must reclaim our hope.

Only then can we begin on the journey of regenerating ourselves, our soils, our communities and our planet.

____

What we eat affects not just our health, but affects the health of our planet and all her beings.

“Vasudeva Kutumbakam” is a phrase found in the Maha Upanishad. It means “The World is ONE Family” We are all (all beings and Mother Earth herself) inextricably intertwined and interconnected.

Eco feminist, Environmental activist, Food sovereignty advocate and anti-globalization powerhouse Vandana Shiva has been one of my sheroes. In 2018 I spent a few days at Vandana’s eco farm Navdanya and saw first hand the principles of organic farming, biodiversity, conservation, environmental stewardship and seed saving being put into practice. True to the roots of Vedic ecology that Navadanya has been built upon, I saw the phrase “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”.

The recent extremes in climate events brought about by global warming and climate change and the recent pandemic (which is still very much active in many parts of the world) should give us a collective pause to evaluate our choices especially when it comes to our food.

Mono-crop cultivation, genetic modification of food, heavy use of pesticides, factory farming of animals, industrialized food production have increased the toxicity in both the foods that we eat and in our environment (pollutants, runoffs, massive deforestation etc.).

60% of the Standard American Diet is ultra processed food. It’s a $1 trillion industry. That it can be called food still boggles my mind. There is very little ‘food’ in processed foods. I should know - prior to becoming an Ayurveda practitioner, for many years I worked for Kraft Foods, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of processed foods. I have seen what goes into these ‘food like’ foods. And the worst part? The global processed food market is growing as these companies & fast food chains are eyeing new markets. Every-time I go back home to India, I see another KFC, McDonalds pop up and more packaged snacks being advertised and sold in the grocery stores 😌

And then there is factory farming of animals which is so wrong on so many fronts.

May we all make conscious and informed food choices inasmuch as we are able to.

These brilliant slides are Repost from