Nourishment and nourishing the senses, nourishing the tissue, organs, skeleton and nerves – these are core competencies in Yoga and Ayurveda. But if we’re always detoxing, or dieting, or counting and limiting calories (or thinking we should) then we are not nourishing, we are depleting our bodies and brains. And if we eat junk food and packaged foods that boast flavor but lack nutrition, we may be temporarily satisfied, may even feel “full”, but we are still starving. Moodiness, depletion, lack of concentration, weak will, fatigue and poor health all arise from hunger and lack of nutrients.
The best thing we can do for our self and those we love, is to prepare a home cooked meal; home cooked from organic whole foods. When we open our fridge and cupboards they should be abundant with quinoa, brown rice, black beans, lentils, seeds for sprouting and sprouts, squash, greens, root veggies, seasonal apples, pears and fresh spices. If we’re wandering home at the end of a long day and know our cupboards are bare, then we will grab and go, eat on the run, eat food that has not been chosen, prepped, rinsed and washed with love and care. We will eat food that is devoid of nutrients, that does not nourish but actually starves us.
I moved back to New York City a few years ago and I rented a tiny studio apartment in a great neighborhood and created a sleek and chic home – so chic in fact, it was photographed for Time Out magazine. The place had a huge old refrigerator that was an eyesore and dominated the room. Right away, I asked the landlord to store it away and I replaced it with a small fridge that fit snugly under the counter.
After a few years, at the end of a dark blustery winter day, cycling through slush and snow, I only wanted to go to Angelica’s Organic Kitchen and eat the same reliable nutritious food that I had first eaten there 25 years before. Their food is sustainably sourced, consciously prepared, and served with care. Like home.
Like home? My dollhouse apartment had a dollhouse-sized refrigerator. I was hauling groceries home every day. The fridge was too tiny to provide consistently for abundant, nutritious meals. My fridge had me on a diet and I was miserable.
Like a plant that needs to be re-potted, I could not grow.
On moving day, the eco-green moving team ran my belongings downstairs onto the truck. I considered the fridge. Of course I didn’t want it! But I had bought it, and hoped to pass it on to someone who might benefit. None of my neighbors or friends wanted it either.
I asked the team leader if any of the guys were interested?
A slew of texts ricocheted down to the truck.
One guy came running up, said yes, he’d take it for his kid’s college room, thanked me graciously, wrapped it in a blanket, taped it, hoisted it on his back and trotted down the stairs as the others cheered and lifted it up to the truck.
Arriving at my new 1 bedroom apartment, the movers stacked up a small pile of bins and asked for my signature.
Where’s the rest of the stuff? I asked.
This is everything.
What had filled my dollhouse to bursting, didn’t amount to much in my new green-coded, energy efficient, sunny apartment with a granite kitchen, large eco fridge and spacious counter tops.
I gave my house it’s own house-warming gifts – quality knives, pots and pans, and a cutting board.
To prep, cook and nourish.I filled my cupboards with essential supplies and I joined an organic farm share for weekly organic produce.
Are your cupboards bare?
You have a gift to share and need the nourishment to share it.
Honor your precious self, and nourish your body and being.
Thrive,
Kiki
Interested in learning more about whole foods and my organic farm share? Click here for the details! And if you’re still counting calories you should really read this!
