Annam Brahmaa Raso Vishnu
Pakto Devo Mahesvarah.
Evam Jnaatvaa Tu Yo Bhunkte
Anna Dosho Na Lipyate

Food is the creator(Brahma), Nourishment is the sustainer (Vishnu)
The god of Digestion is the Destroyer (Shiva)
If you know this, when you eat
The doshas (impurities) of the food will not become a part of you.

From Dr. Lad's Book - Ayurvedic Cooking

In the heart of a chef,
the juicy abundance of the earth is dancing,
and the world is a big belly digging up turnips.
Fertile colors and raindrops are overflowing.
Eating it, tasting it, and becoming the colors,
the chef is also becoming juicy
like a river after a tropical rain.

-Joseph 8/27

We ask of our cravings
show us your root
help us choose healthy food,
and to eat according to our need.

We ask our cravings to be sacred,
please lead us to holiness.

And may the energy of this food
help fulfill our most high purpose.

Joseph (08/12/08)

The plate becomes a painting;
Its bright color shines on the chef.
It is served; sizzles, steams or strikes.
Soft, crispy or contrasting.
The guest wishes to pray,
His eyes become wide and breath deep;
The well made dish is glowing with life energy.

Joseph (08/12/08)

Read the food before you eat it;
the glow and the prayer have left.
Dull in color, temperature lukewarm.
Texture soggy, dry, and hard.

Choosing the ingredients was an inner journey. It was rooting out spirits in the food; they had their essence. When I approached the ingredients with my body, their spirits lit up in mine. They also revealed my spirit and my wish. They came together; the recipe was a dance that existed only in a moment.

You knew the essence of the ingredients. Then the meal could become a spirit meal. One made it light, another heavy. They contributed textures, temperatures, sours, salts, sweets, and bitters. Heavenly aromatics, sensual, savory.

-Joseph (3/16/2006)

Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Institute.

Dr. Vasant Lad - Ayurvedic Institute

says Alana Greenberg, Ayurvedic Practitioner. The beginning of every recipe should be a prayer, and ginger carries the prayer into the food.

says Claudia Welch, Acupuncturist & Ayurvedic Practitioner, over dinner.