Feed your body, feed your soul
Food, wonderful food
Welcome to section that I have dedicated to your foods - the foods for your body and your soul/mind.
If you take a single moment to contemplate the beauty of biochemistry - the huge transformation of food stuffs into cellular energy - you begin to appreciate that truly you are what you eat. Many adults feel disatisfied and mentally tired of their eating and self-care habits. Those with the drive and optimism to heal themselves begin to look for the solution that keeps them both fit and happy. I am here to tell you that the solution is simple: you must eat foods which contain prana, chi, the subtle energy that animates all life. You must prepare them with care and love, eat them with grace and truly live the appreciation of the miracle that is your nourishment. Rather than be seduced by the prepared and packaged foods that are sold everywhere nowadays, be astonished by the shape of a perfect zucchini, the scent of a ripe melon or the near-erotic qualities of a creamy and soft avocado pear. When you allow yourself to be captivated by the miracle of natural foods you will soon wonder how you ever subsisted before.Brothers and sisters, trust me. Read this section and try some recipes. Don't worry if things don't turn out perfectly and don't be afraid to experiment if some tips or recipes contain ingredients that are not to your liking. Just work with care, pay attention, and say a simple thanks before tucking in and you will find yourself producing food better than anything you'd find in the supermarket refrigerator. Naturally, you are welcome to email me on rachel at rachel-rose dot net if you need help with anything.
A bit about my food journey
I love food. I love eating, I love sharing a table with friends and I love the science of food and nutrition. I studied chemistry in University, then Nutritional Therapy also at undergraduate level. I devour books about nutrition, and keep well informed about evolution in dietary theory and practice.
I have been an ethical vegetarian for over 20 years. I converted in a McDonalds, much to the amusement of my brother and sister, who then had something to torment me about for years to come. I recall the day that I first heard the word "vegetarian". My mother had gone away for a few days, to one of her many conferences. We had a babysitter staying with us, but this time is was someone cool, not a weird old lady who made you blow your nose before going to school. Ann-Lorraine Chilibeck had long hair and was in grade 13 at the nearby high school. One night she was cooking us supper - bolognese for some spaghetti. She proceeded to them cook something else. I asked her why and she told me that she didn't eat meat, that she was a vegetarian. Ding! A light shone over my young head. Then and there I knew my destiny. As I was only 11 or 12 at the time, my first attempt to eschew meat failed. But by 14 I was convinced enough to stay the course. It wasn't easy - mum wouldn't make extra dishes for me, and I had no nutritional knowledge. I got fat, my hair thinned, I found it hard to concentrate and I eventually became very tearful and morbid. Of course, I was a teenager at the time...
At first I was an aggressive, finger-pointing vegetarian. Then I calmed down and realised that I would never convince anyone this way. As my thinking evolved - and I got more sophisticated at answering the old "where do you get your protein" question - I realised that actually, I am an ethical vegetarian. By this I mean, I am a political vegetarian. I believe that it is ethically, morally and politically wrong for 1/5 of the world to consume fodder and water intensive animal food while 4/5 of the world goes hungry. I adhere to the yogic principle of ahimsa, or doing no harm. Many of the great philosophers of the world also chose to forgo meat. Please read this page at gentleworld for a selection of inspiring quotes. Om Shanti.
