“Gayu, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” my mother used to insist, “It’s not enough to know how to do calculus. It is also important to know how to cook.”
I recall being eight years old, barely tall enough to reach the granite counter-top in our kitchen in Bangalore, India, when my mother first recruited me as her apprentice. I loved everything about cooking – chopping vegetables, roasting spices, grating coconut, and making chapattis. I took great pride in rolling out the little discs of whole wheat dough into perfect circles and watch their golden crusts puff up as my mother flipped them on the hot tava, a heavy cast iron griddle. Most of all, I loved to work alongside my mother while we sang in chorus with our favorite songs lilting through the Phillips radio in our living room.
In time I learned how to cook healthy, well-balanced, nutritious meals which greatly enhanced my marriageability in India, and more importantly, empowered me to nurture myself and my family in America. Even during my darkest battles with depression, cooking and sharing meals with my family gave me a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
It is said that “A family that eats together stays together.” I sincerely believe “A family that eats together stays healthy together.” Over the years, cooking and sharing meals with my family each day has continued to be a great source of joy and well-being.
In this post, I am delighted to share articles on the healing power of nutrition. And, invite you to explore how it can nurture your mind, body, and soul. As Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
5 Benefits of Proper Nutrition
by Serena Styles, Demand Media
Eating a proper, nutritious diet offers numerous health benefits that keep you mentally and physically well. Proper nutrition doesn’t mean starving yourself but instead means eating a diet balanced in lean proteins, carbs, and fats. MayoClinic.com recommends getting between 45 and 65 percent of your daily calories from carbohydrates, between 10 and 35 percent of daily calories from protein and between 20 and 35 percent of daily calories from fats.
The Family That Eats Together Stays Together
by Zannat Reza
Families that eat together, stay together. How often do you enjoy family meals at your home? With long commutes and kids’ activities, it’s easy to see why eating together can take a back seat.
At our house, we usually eat breakfast together. Given my flexible work schedule, the kids and I sit down for dinner, and my husband joins in depending on when he gets home. When the kids’ soccer starts in the spring, we will likely have a smaller dinner and enjoy a post-soccer snack.
So why are family meals important? The benefits go beyond health.
The Family that Eats Together Stays Healthy Together
by Edward Abramson, Ph. D.
Does it seem like your family’s meals are always consumed “on the run.” Sitting down for a family meal may feel like a luxury you can’t afford with your family’s busy schedules. Mom, dad, and kids have other commitments or their schedules just aren’t in sync to allow for a relaxed family meal.
When I was a kid my dad would get home from teaching high school and we’d have to rush through dinner so that he could go to teach his evening class at a local college. While a more relaxed dinner would have been better, I’m glad we got to eat together. Research shows that families who share four or five meals together each week have kids who eat more fruits and vegetables, have healthier eating habits in general, and are at less risk for obesity.
Wishing you wellness,
Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS
Founder & President, ASHA International