Mysore Sojourn : Feed the Practice

The food I choose to eat makes me  "me".

For a large part of my life, I have been non-vegetarian. I switched to being a "hybrid vegetarian" over the last 5 years. By hybrid, I mean, I eat chicken-eggs and occasionally fish. I am not extreme in my views - I believe each person must make food choices that is reflective of his/ her energy requirement (input vs. expenditure). My reasons for selecting a primarily plant based diet is simply, "it makes me feel much lighter" than a non-plant based one. And I am all for "lightness"...... of body, mind & spirit.

Mysore is a traditional city and being a vegetarian here is easy - loads of places serving fresh, delicious and nourishing veg food. And as there are many vegetarian yoga practitioners, there is ample variety too. However, I try and eat home most often, as there is greater control of what goes into my food.  

Here, I follow a 3-meal plan. This is quite different from my diet in Bangalore, as energy requirements are substantially different (Calibrate! calibrate! calibrate. Thats the only way you figure out what works for you). My morning fix is hot water/honey/lime at 5:30 am. It helps gently awaken the body (and lime incidentally is alkaline forming). I sometimes add a pinch of pepper and/or chopped ginger and/or a few cardamon sticks to it, to add that extra punch (making it a "Kix-Fix"). I was eating a small banana or a few almonds before practice (since my first meal is at 12 noon) but I found that even this small amount of food interfered with my practice, so I now go empty stomach.

I return back from practice at 11am famished; but first; I drink my supplement shake. Vega One is a plant based supplement formulated by Brendan Brazier (professional ironman triathelete). It packs-a- punch and "serves as as a building block for cellular restoration" by giving me that extra protein, fibre, omega 3, anti-oxidant, probiotic and greens.

'Vega' Shake at 11am

I have been following Brendan for the 15 months, and I completely prescribe to his food philosophy

• Alkaline forming, plant based whole food help build a platform for optimal health
• Nutrient density is more important than calorie
• What you eat should provide energy not drain it 
• What you eat should energise through nourishment not, stimulation
• Minimal exposure to sensitive-aggravating ingredients and
• It is possible to re-build a younger feeling body

For more information on Vega One, you can visit http://myvega.com . There are some interesting sports supplements too; but let me warn you, its difficult to source in India.

By 11:30 (or even 12), I eat my first solid meal which is usually cereal. I located a brand called 'Manna'. It is a health mix and a complete balanced meal - it has cereal (ragi, millet, jowar, wheat, red rice & barley); pulses (green gram); nuts (groundnut, cashew & badam) and cardamom. I cook this with oats and jaggery. And add fruits, berries, whole nuts, jaggery and cold milk. It is delicious and provides me with the much needed boost after practice (and a long absence of food)

'Manna' at 12 noon

As the day progresses I go lighter - my next meal is at 4 pm which I prepare myself - some raw salad, brown rice with leafy greens, an egg and curd. I try not eat refined, so no white rice, sugar or bread for me. I admit to being a "bread-junkie", but here in Mysore, I stay off that as well. I wash this down with some green tea with crushed ginger

Meal at 4 pm

I generally don't snack between meals. If at all, I get the munchies, I eat a fruit (anything that does not require cutting ) or a few crackers with "chwanparash" spread on it (thats Kix-Fix too).  Chawanparash has helped build my immunity considerably. I love the taste of the one I have. It's from Rishikesh and has that special "ashwagandha". And since discovering a new found love for coffee, I occasionally indulge in a cuppa filter coffee as well :)

Dinner is at my landlord Manu's at 7:30pm. They have graciously opened up their home to me, so dinner is always at theirs. Manu's family in the past have been Dewan's to the Mysore Maharaja. Their house reflects that bygone era, food included. Food is prepared traditionally - not much use of packaged food products, mostly home-made. I love my simple dinner prepared lovingly by 'Gaurama'. And on that ever so often special festive occasion, I get served a meal fit for a king (or maybe, an Indian princess)

Festive meal at Manu's

Bon Appétit

p.s. my day off is Saturday and I do a complete 360 then ;)