Is Sattvic(Yogic)Food the Need of the Hour?
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Is Sattvic(Yogic)Food the need of the hour? Foods for Global Sustainability NEWSLETTER April 2019 * Volume 01 * Number 04 INSIDE THIS APRIL ISSUE PG. 2 Editorial: sattvic food –anti-dote to world chaos PG. 3 Satvic food character and sustainability PG. 6 National cusines : A sustainability overview PG. 24 Potential Indian cusines for global sustainability PG. 27 News and Events PG. 28 News of the month- Wild & Wild goes beyond food in its food service menu SATTVIC FOOD –ANTI-DOTE TO CHAOS “Present times Food has very close links to the way we think, act and deliver. The ills demands of food commercialization has affected not only human health but also the serenity of the environment and human mind. Going back to transition to the yogic diet of food as character – Satvik food as a panacea to inner peace in this chaotic world is worth looking as a sustainable option Sattvic Food” for global development. © All Rights Reserved by FoGS Network 2019. April 2019 * Volume 1 * Number 4 1 Editorial message George Bernard Shaw said, "There is no love sincerer than the love of food". We give a great deal of thought to our love lives, so why not to the food we consume? Afterall, we become what we eat. The focus of this issue is on 'Sattvic Food', which goes hand in hand with the issue stated above. Sattvic foods soothe, nourish and promote and help maintain an equanimous mind, while also sharpening your intellect and giving you a greater sense of empathy. The foods come in different forms, but they are all fresh, juicy, light, nourishing and tasty. What is particularly endearing about such foods is that they give energy to the body, without taxing it. Worry not, these foods are not bland, as Sattvic diet also aims to include all the six flavors - sweet, salt, bitter, sour, pungent and astringent and each meal is supposed to cater to all these vital flavors. Seasonal, vegetarian food is recommended, for a simple reason that locally harvested vegetables retain their whole flavors, rendering the food more tasty and flavorsome. Another most important thing is to cook with love. This is crucial, as food is the life-giving energy that we pass on. In this issue, we hope to give an introduction into a diet that fosters understanding and interconnectedness of our life. Caroline Paul Kanjookaran From the founder and CEO´s desk The month of April is a period of transition to the summer. As seasons change, the nature reveals its blosoom and also paves the way to food production and harvest. While food is playing a dominant role in the SDGs especially poverty, hunger, nutrtion and envrionment related, not much stress is being paid nowdays on what is consumed in the approach of nature of food. Ayurvedic knowledge, coming from the vedic civilization in India, has given character to food as Satvik, Tamasik and Rajasik depending on its origin, way of cooking and growing nature. While th world is plagued with health issues linked to food consumption, the mind connection of food is ignored. In this edition of the newsletter, we look into the world cusines, the food character as yogic food and how Indian cusines have these elements for us to promote ayurvedic food for achieving the sustainable development goals 2030 of the UN: Think food by its character, for the role that you would like to have is the paradigm that is very true in today´s context. Happy reading and looking forward to work together to benefit mankind for a better health, mind and spirit. Best wishes, Amit Saha © All Rights Reserved by FoGS Network 2019. April 2019 * Volume 1 * Number 4 2 Satvic food character and sustainability Tamasik Food Tamasik Rajasik Food Food Rajasik Food Satvik Food Satvik Food Population pyramid transformation for global food sustainability FOOD AND ITS CHARACTER: SATVIK, RAJSIK, TAMASIK- According to Indian Ayurveda Shastras, Food categories into three types SATVIK< RAJSIK< TAMASIK corresponding to their properties: In Ayurveda, there is a saying that any food item, which grows under the ground, is Tamsik in nature and one, which comes from the top of the tree or plant like leaves, flower and fruits are Satvik in nature Satvik food provides calmness, purity and promotes longevity, intelligence, strength, health, happiness and delight. One of the basic feature of Satvik food is its abundance in “Prana” or life-force energy. This is mostly evident in fresh organic fruits and vegetables grown without fertilizers and pesticides. The examples of Satvik food items are fruits, vegetables, leaves, grains, cereals, milk, honey, etc. These items can be consumed as they are. One can live on Satvik food for life. Satvik food is usually fresh, seasonal and locally grown. The foods grouped under Satvik are: * Vegetarian food without Onion & Garlic *Non-refined cereals *Milk and its derivatives *Fruits and Juices Consumption of the above mentioned aids in guarding the mind in a state of restful alertness, hence leading to improved concentration and reduces lethargy. © All Rights Reserved by FoGS Network 2019. April 2019 * Volume 1 * Number 4 3 Rajsik food is mixture of hot, spicy and salty food items with pungent taste, promote negativity, passion and restlessness and High Blood pressure etc. *The foods grouped under Rajsik are; *Hot & Spicy Food *Refined Cereals *Fried & Junk Food *Meat and non-vegetarian food Consumption of the above mentioned leads to cholesterol, hypertension, irritability and mood-swings. These foods create sensuality, sexuality, greed, jealousy, anger, delusion, fantasies, egotism and irreligious feelings. People, who consumed Rasik food more, are interested in the four P's – power, prestige, position and prosperity. But they are quite in control of their lives and aren’t obsessed by any of the above. The foods grouped under Tamsik are: *Meat & other non-vegetarian food *Tea, Coffee and other caffeinated beverages *Alcohol & Tobacco *Stale Food Consumption of the above mentioned leads to lack of concentration, sleeping disorders, anger outbursts and acidity. Tamsik food promote in our body dullness and ignorance, because it takes time for digestion. The person who eats only Tamasik food, has insecurity, and is unable to deal with others in a balanced way. They have little regard for the welfare of others and tend to be very self-centered. Their nervous system and heart do not function optimally and such individuals age fast. They usually suffer from conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic fatigue. After looking at the above properties, it becomes obvious that a Sattvic diet is recommended, for a better quality of life and for a balanced mind, body and spirit. There are many useful studies done which have showed how a Sattvic diet is able to promote sustainable living and a healthy society. Some of these publications are: http://erinnicoleyoga.com/blog-posts/the-sattvic-diet https://eatforum.org/content/uploads/2019/01/EAT_brief_everyone.pdf https://www.shambhala.com/events/ayurvedic-cooking-immersion-sattvic-diet-kate-odonnell/ https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/how-a-sattvic-pure-diet-brings-you-into-balance © All Rights Reserved by FoGS Network 2019. April 2019 * Volume 1 * Number 4 4 Switching to a Sattvic diet We have compiled a list of guidelines, to ease your transition to a Sattvic diet less daunting. 1. Consume organic – There are immeasurable benefits to consuming organic food. And if they are locally produced, seasonal fares, even better. Consume whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and avoid added or artificial salts, colours, flavours, or preservatives. 2. Cooking procedure – It is also important to cook these foods in a clean and calm atmosphere. Ideally, Sattvic food should be cooked and eaten with love and gratitude, as food provides us with vital life force. Also, food should not be over cooked or over processed, in order to retain its energy. Steaming and baking are the most preferred methods of cooking in Sattvic style. 3. Consume fresh – It should also be noted that food must be consumed fresh and light. The food will ideally be flavoursome, mild, firmtextured and easy to swallow. Sattvik food will become Tamasic, when over processed, kept for a longer period or deep-fried. As people adopt a sattvic diet, they find themselves shifting away from things or circumstances they used to enjoy earlier. For example, someone who used to binge watch television may now find more joy in going for a walk. As one’s mind is freed from overstimulation or dullness, they will find it easier to adopt a balanced lifestyle. By making some minor changes in your diet, you can also enjoy a clear mind in a healthy body, with an enhanced connection to self and everything around you. Once a Sattvic diet has become a way of living for you, you can take a few steps to take Sattvic living to the next level. 1. The first step is to live in sync with the nature, for example waking up when the sun rises and resting, when the sun sets. It is ideal to make and stick to a routine. 2. It is also recommended to go for a walk in the morning, to enhance your closeness to nature. 3. It is also important to eat a healthy breakfast every day, ideally, between 7:00 and 8:00 am local time. 4. There are also other routines or practices that you can incorporate in your life, such as singing or dancing, journaling, meditation, mindful eating or volunteering. The above practices are mere guidelines and it is up to the individual to find a practice that works for him or her the best.