Have you ever wondered why the food you cook turns out to be completely delicious and full of flavour when you cook it in a happy mood and it’s made love? Or have you noticed why the food isn’t as tasty when you cook under stress or anger?
Well, I definitely believe the emotions we are going through while cooking affects our food!
I have always noticed the difference in my cooking when I cook under stress or anger. Whenever I have cooked under stress, anger or when I am in a bad mood the food doesn’t taste the same. It’s easily noticeable that there is something definitely lacking – love! The food will not be energising, flavourful and I wouldn’t achieve that level of perfection i would be looking for. This is what cooking with sorrow does to your food! And can you imagine consuming all that negative energy?
Ancient Wisdom
The food we eat not only affects our body, but our minds too! Ayurveda states that every meal can be turned into a healing medicine by simply cooking consciously. In ancient cultures too there was always an emphasis on cooking and emotions. The Greeks always said, if the food is made with love and positive energy, the food would be delicious and healing at the same time. Not to forget, The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, tells us that the intention of the person cooking the food is actually transferred to the food.
Holy Food
Why is it that every time we eat food from a holy place, such as holy water which is sanctified by the priests, Hindus have the prasad (a devotional offering made to god, typically consisting of food that is later shared among devotees) from the temples we feel happy and blessed? The food offered at holy places doesn’t have any special ingredients in it. It is simply made with love, positive vibes, prayers and blessings! This is the true power of positivity and good energy and how it has an impact on us!
Imagine if we start to cook our food with love and positive energy every time, what the results can be? If we cook our food with the blessings and love everyday for the people we are cooking for, our food will be no different to prasad or holy water.
Happy and Healthy Cooking
The simplest meal is the healthiest meal if prepared with love. So whenever you cook in a happy and cheerful mood, your food will taste delicious and will have healing powers. But, if you cook with anger, no matter how hard you try, the food will not have that level of deliciousness and perfection. Thus, you have the power to mould the mood of those eating your food!
So what do you do with all this information?
Start by being aware of how you feel. Before you start cooking for your loved ones, focus and centre yourself, accept any disturbing thoughts or feelings and try to let go of them. Take a moment and remember, “worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace.” Focus on the present moment, put on good music, think of happy memories and find something that calms you.
I found a beautiful prayer that you all can put up in your kitchens. Read it frequently and remind yourself, food made with love; can affect your food!
Kitchen Prayer
May this kitchen be so filled with peace
that all who eat food prepared here receive peace
May this kitchen be so filled with happiness
that all who eat food prepared here receive happiness.
May this kitchen be so filled with good will
that working here is a joy.
Bless this kitchen.
Bless all who work here.
Bless the food that is prepared here.
May this kitchen and the work done here be a blessing to all who live.
– John Robbins, May All Be fed.
You are cooking for your loved ones. Your cooking can bring everyone together and heal them. It is all in your hands! Give your cooking the attention and love that it deserves! Follow me on instagram for happy and joyful recipes!