Healing Cuisine

“The place for healing cuisine”

Annapurna has become known as the “place for healing cuisine”. What exactly is this healing cuisine. Food is the very essence of our bodies. The mind is effected by the conditions of the body. So ultimately food affects our state of consciousness. As pointed out in the Hindu spiritual scripts, vegetarian food ensures good health and longevity. People are realizing that a natural vegetarian diet is conducive to long life and that food should be taken “as your medicine” as Hippocrates stated. Our healing cuisine has been contributing to our customers health to such an extent that we have been inundated with requests to share this knowledge. Hence, July 2007, the Annapurna School of Ayurvedic Cooking was launched. 

The philosophy and cooking methods at the restaurant are based on ayurveda, the most ancient system of Indian medicine. It is therefore appropriate that the cooking school will share this ancient knowledge in this modern time. Ayurveda emphasizes diet, in relation to the physical and psychic make up of the human being. Having knowledge of the ingredients being cooked enhances ones relationship with food to bring forth the healing aspects. Principles of Ayurveda include the body,the three doshas, the four seasons, the five elements, the six tastes, the seven chakras and the nine planets. Food is influenced by all of these principles – a large part of what is taught at our cooking school. The actual cooking demonstration is just a part of what one will learn at the classes.

What to eat? When to eat? How to eat? How much to eat? How many times to eat? All of these questions will be answered in a cooking class. Customers are always asking for recipes. Recipes are just one part of this healing cuisine. Foods and their healing properties, food and vibrations etc, are equally important. Ayurveda helps us identify ourselves as vata, pitta and kapha, thus relating our bodies to the elements of the universe. The forces of the elements are present inside and outside of us. Therefore caring for and respecting your own body begins at home. The cooking school aims to spread this knowledge to bridge the gap of food and environment. Classes include various topics from kitcharie (our ultimate ayurvedic dish) to gluten free baking. Ayurveda is a living ideal with worldly principles that includes all cultures. In keeping with this aspect, the cooking school will teach a wide variety of food principles. Ayurvedic cooking is certainly not modern Indian cooking as you would have gathered from visits to the restaurant. The menu at the restaurant is unique, thus making customers even more curious about ayurvedic food.

Handling of food is an important aspect of cooking and certainly in ayurvedic cooking. Are your cooking utensils made of stainless steel or aluminum. Microwaves are an enemy to the energy of food. Refrigerators encourage storing of leftovers. All of these concepts require in depth study to make one understand and reconnect with food as our medicine and medicine as our food. Eating foods that are suitable for your constitutional type, requires knowing your doshas or biological energies. The six tastes present in ayurvedic food certainly has intrigued our customers as to the healing aspects of food at the restaurants.

Over the years, people have frequented the restaurants to heal themselves and to improve their relationship with food. Often people tell us that the meals they enjoy are among the most beneficial of their experience. Access to various sources of information has created confusion around an ayurvedic dietary plan. Eating is the most natural process in the world and healthy food should be easy to make and assimilate by the body. As a result of frequent requests, we bring this knowledge to you in the form of “ANNAPURNA’S SCHOOL OF AYURVEDIC COOKING”. Suggestions for class topics are always welcome. Call 505-440-9502 for more information.