From The Mistress of Spice

Food as Medicine

We eat at least three times a day and think about food more often than that. Eating is an act of survival and self-nourishment. What if food were medicine? What if our food choices can bring us a state of balance and health and contribute to, yes, even how we age? It is very possible to make simple food choices that will strengthen our health and well-being.

Food is a gift from Nature. She offers everything our body/mind needs in every season. Foods that are processed, frozen and micro-waved is considered "dead," as they contain very little nutrients. In contrast, foods that are fresh, locally grown and organic and prepared with love and intention can nourish our deepest core and all of our tissues.

Here are 5 simple habits to enhance your relationship with food:

1. Shop at the local farmer's market. This will automatically support your habit of eating local and organic.

2. Invest in a crock pot and rice cooker. This will cut down on your cooking time.

3. Use spices in your cooking. Spices contain concentrated forms of Nature's intelligence. Spices can strengthen your digestion, pacify you body/mind and give you a sense of satiation and satisfaction.

4. Cook with intention. Cook slowly and eat slowly, knowing that you are cultivating one of the greatest acts of self-nurturance.

5. Sip on hot water with your meals for better digestion. Avoid cold drinks and ice as they will dampen your digestive capacity.

Aparna Khanolkar is a caterer and personal chef in Santa Barbara. She teaches at the Ojai Culinary School and in SB. Her focus is on preparing foods for her clients using the most fresh foods and that means, no cans, no microwave and no pre-packaged foods. Her experience includes cooking at the Chopra Center for Well-Being in San Diego and is a published author of 2 cookbooks. Aparna blogs at: www.themistressofspice.com/blog

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