About a Yogic Diet

The diet in the ashram is vegetarian. It is simple, nutritious, properly balanced and more than adequate for maintaining vitality and good health. It is a basic diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and wholegrains. It also includes, according to one’s own personal preference, herbs, spices, a little milk, yoghurt, cheese and occasionally eggs. The food is well prepared and presented, tasty and easy to digest.

Very often at the mention of vegetarianism there is a two-fold reaction from most people. They immediately become concerned about protein and can’t think of anything else to eat other than meat. The first concern is, of course, justifiable. It is important if you have been a meat-eater for some years not to become a fruitarian or a vegan overnight. That would be too extreme for most people. By all means cut down on or cut out meat, but keep up a well-balanced diet. Make sure your body has the nutrients it requires and the time to gradually adjust to a more simple and pure diet. If you go slowly it also gives time for the mind to adjust to the enormous wealth of vegetarian fare available for tantalising the palate. It is unfortunate that a vegetarian diet is seen only in terms of boiled vegetables and a stick of raw carrot. At first there can be a real mental block when thinking about meatless meals. However, it only takes a little re-education before a whole new vista of tastebud sensations is opened up.

The recipes here are intended for just that purpose; a jumping-off point for approaching the art of vegetarian cuisine. There are no infallible rules that must be followed or else! Rather, it offers stimulation for your own ideas, a catalyst for your creativity. We often don’t realise that food preparation can be an art; a valid expression of creative energy, even of our devotion.

Vegetarian fare doesn’t have to be an endless procession of brown rice and soggy salads. As with all foods it should be visually appetising and delicious to taste. It only requires a little thought, time and imagination. All the recipes will allow for your personal touch in adjusting ingredients according to your individual preference. Feel free to experiment.

Each of us has our own likes, dislikes and cultural influences in food. We also have differences in digestive capabilities and so must find the combination of foods that suits each of us individually. Don’t become rigid in your eating habits, as circumstances sometimes require us to be flexible with others and ourselves. There are even times when enjoyment and relaxation are more important than what you eat. Many of our problems with diet and digestion are aggravated by the uncontrolled stresses in our lives. We project these emotional and mental tensions into our eating habits by either eating too much or too little, eating the wrong foods or becoming fanatical in the foods we do choose. These expressions disturb our digestion so that no matter what we eat, there will be discomfort and lack of satisfaction. If you feel relaxed and comfortable with yourself and your life, this too is reflected in eating patterns. So it’s important to find a balance for yourself that expresses healthy eating habits, a harmonious lifestyle and, above all, a relaxed mind.