A Trip to the Indian Groceries With My Mum and My Recent Obsession With Okinawa
I had Ikigai sitting on my shelf for a full 2 years, a favourite pastime of mine to hoard books with all good intentions to read them!
Recently, Netflix aired a program called Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones and I became so enthralled by the 100 year old men and women still moving and going strong into their old ages. “Oh, you're a youngster!” one of the 101 year old ladies said to the man in his 60s!
The vigour and joy in which they lived their lives really inspired me and made me realise that the more care and love and consideration I put into my diet as well as weaving activity into my day and being with nature is when I am at my happiest and clearest in my mind.
This program inspired me to finally read Ikigai and I was pleasantly surprised at how close the teachings are to Ayurvedic Principles. Eating seasonal, cooked whole foods, eating until you are 80% full, including bitter vegetables, gentle exercise such as walking or gardening and living in community and supporting one another.
Not only is this close to Ayurvedic teachings, it’s also close to the way I was brought up. My maternal grandmother lived to the age of 96! My Paternal grandfather is 93! His younger sister says that he is actually 95 but he vehemently disputes this. When speaking to my Mum, I asked her what she thought their secret was, “they ate simple food” she said.
A lot of the things available to us today were not as accessible or around when they were young. They naturally catered to their digestion. Eating cooked meals, never eating raw cold food and moving gently every day.
When it comes to my health, my Mum is one of my biggest inspirations. She has had some mechanical issues in her life but she never lets it stop her. Now in her late 60s, she walks a lot and keeps herself active, she puts great love and care into all the meals she prepares for us and she never follows fads. Everything in moderation, she is small yet mighty.
I remembered going Indian grocery shopping with her and watching her as she inspected every single vegetable she picked to ensure she was getting good quality and it was vitally important that she had these vegetables in the fridge for us for the week. My only regret is that in my youth when we lived together, I didn’t appreciate the love and care she put into our food. Now whenever I visit I get so excited! You just can’t beat your Mum’s cooking!
So, inspired by Okinawans, my grandparents and my Mum, I went on an Indian grocery food shopping trip with her! I picked up some bitter gourd (kareleh for the desi’s), zebra eggplant, white radish and some yams! Recipe’s will follow!