The secret ingredient in turning food into medicine
A simple ritual that changes digestion without changing the recipe.
Psst—I opened a small stove-side Chat for tiny prompts. Join me there.
I used to think I had to hunt down “healing foods” recipes to take better care of myself and my family – recipes rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and the right proteins. And unprocessed whole, seasonal, local foods.
Yes, those are all important. Arguably the first place to begin.
Arguably.
I’m not challenging the micro and macros. I’m challenging that they’re the first place to begin. Because sometimes that’s the hardest part when your diet is either far from that, or you’re already there and still not feeling great.
It may, in fact, be easier to start with the other part of the healing equation – the part that Patti, an Ayurvedic chef, introduced me to through her own cooking and by showing me how to do the same.
Let me explain by sharing a recent note and
’s fabulous response to it –ME:
DANUTA:
Chef Patti’s food gave me my first experience of taking a bite and feeling the intelligence of food move through and grace my entire psyche with lightness and wholeness. Since working with her, I’ve watched friends sit down to simple meals – or a glass of lassi – and exclaim, what is this magic?
It’s not a secret spice. It’s energy.
In my 20+ years of teaching sadhana (daily morning meditation), I ask students to think of practice as a date with yourself, and to ask:
How would I want my date to show up for me?
On time or late?
Interested, tentative, or downright begrudgingly?
Paying attention to me or lost in thought?
Bring this to yourself. Whether you’re meditating, resting, writing, playing with your kids, on an actual date, or cooking.
This is the difference between following rules and following yourself.
Between things sorta-kinda working half the time and things working in a way that will blow you away.
Between showing up as a warm body and showing up curious to be there, to see where this can go.
Between the rote method and the blessing method.
Keep reading for the exact Blessing Method, why it calms digestion, and my currant–orange scones recipe.