Exploring Ayurvedic food through home cooking workshop
Celebrity wellness expert Clara Day Herrera dedicated years of studying Ayurveda right in its home base, India. Her journey to becoming a wellness expert was triggered by a burnout from work. Fast forward to today, she is the proud owner of a successful wellness brand, actively teaches yoga, and teams up with Ayurveda lifestyle expert Sona Roy to introduce the benefits of Ayurvedic food to the world.
“In Ayurveda, it is more of 'You are what you digest,'” she said. The collaboration between Clara and Sona happened last Saturday, July 22, at the Makati Garden Club.
The wellness expert explained, “The Ayurveda Home Cooking workshop is a collaborative effort between Sona Roy, the Founder of Shanti Institute Ayurveda, and myself.
“My company's mission [CDH Wellness Corp] is to make wellness achievable for everyone, while Shanti Institute Ayurveda aims to promote health and happiness through the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda.”
Likewise, Clara mentioned that they hope to spread awareness about Ayurveda lifestyle through cooking workshops.
“The goal is to certify as many Ayurveda practitioners as possible. And these practitioners, culinary chefs in the future, will help us bring Ayurveda to the grassroots level and educate more people in the barangays. From our group, this is our contribution on how we can help the Philippines, and eventually the global community, to promote Ayurveda and to make wellness achievable to everyone.”
Attended by the Ambassador of India Shambhu S. Kumaran, Agri Exim Global Philippines representatives, 22 Holistic Wellness Founder Joana Alberto, DOH Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana, Dr. Gibsy Sanjeevi Goerge, DFA ASPAC Director Rona Goce, and DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola, the event defined what joyful and balanced eating from Ayurvedic kitchen is.
Some of the Ayurvedic dishes that brought to the table were Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Crispy Fried Fish, Millet Roti, Millet Dosa, Monggo Kitchuri, Carrot Beans Thoran, and Finger Millet Upma. All these recipes contain healthy ingredients. In celebration of the Year of the Millet, food items showcased in the event follow the theme.
Clara shared, “Ayurveda taught me that health care is self-care and that good digestion is the root of good health. The Ayurvedic kitchen pharmacy has become my sanctuary, where I have discovered the immense healing potential of incorporating local, seasonal, and traditional ingredients into my meals.”
She added, “Ayurveda recognizes that food is not just fuel, but a form of medicine. It treats the kitchen as a pharmacy where home-cooked meals are prepared to nourish both the body and mind.”
In connection to this, fellow lifestyle expert Roy said that Ayurveda should be treated as a primary health care.
“Ayurveda started in India also in the kitchen because we are what we eat. We realized that lifestyle changed has to come through the food we eat.”
Sona's company called Shanti Ayurveda has been teaching Ayurveda lifestyle since 2016. Among the provinces they've visited to give classes were Davao and Cebu.
Benefits of embracing Ayurvedic principles were highlighted during the event. As presented, following an ayurvedic diet improves digestion and energy levels, promotes better sleep, and reduces stress.
“By bringing Ayurvedic food heritage into the home, everyday ingredients can be transformed into delicious dishes that balance the body, mind, and consciousness,” Clara assured.
She gave Filipinos a nudge to be more mindful about the long-term effects that processed food can have on health and well-being. There's no better time to eat clean and live a healthier lifestyle than now.
This first ever Ayurveda Home Cooking Workshop in the country earned the nod and full support of the Embassy of India in the Philippines.
MEANWHILE, HERE ARE MEATLESS DISHES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME:
