Sep 6, 2023·edited Sep 6, 2023Liked by Yasmin Khan
I read these pieces of advice while waiting for my flight after moving back to my homeland - ever since my return, I've been making unwise food choices due to lack of time and I feel it in my body: I feel bloated, tired and I've gained weight. So, your advice has come at a wonderful time. I'm Brazilian, but I've lived in Germany and Mexico, and these experiences abroad have taught me something interesting: there's nothing like home food - and I'm not talking about your mom or granny's food, but the foods, spices and dishes that you grew up eating and, somehow, make you and your body feel embraced, satisfied and in peace. I've realised that I need the traditional Brazilian combination of rice, black beans, sautéed kale in garlic and some lean grilled meat at least twice a week to feel good and healthy. This is so true that due to fact that black beans aren't easily found in Germany, I've developed anoemia there. However, in Mexico, where it is easily found, my health improved, I no longer have anoemia and my hair is growing back again. Furthermore, I liked your advice on exploring Ayurvedic medicine - this is something I've always wanted to do, but was a bit afraid of, mostly because I used to think one has to follow all its principles in order to fully experience its benefits. All in all, amazing advice, beautiful family memories and great read.
Excellent piece, Yasmin - it's odd that we need to be reminded to take time for enjoyment: maybe has something to do with the expectation that everything must be as easy as possible to eat, let alone cook (boneless fish-fillets, shelled nuts, skinned and boneless chicken, ready-prepped veg etc).
Yes indeed. It took my kids (born in the 1960's, living in Andalusia) hours to crack through a packet of unshelled sunflower seeds (it's a skill - you have to crack 'em between yr back teeth and spit the shell out at the same time - really messy). And even longer to extract the kernels out of the seeds in stone-pine nuts (needs a hard surface and a fist-sized rock).
Love the story about your grandfather. Good on him for making the most of his short time on this planet!
To eat well, it's a combination of everything you touched on. I don't want to be rushed. Ideally, I want there to be a clear delineation from the rest of the day. That means no phones if it can be avoided (beyond the obligatory and celebratory photo of the dish and with friends/family) and sitting someplace that *isn't* in front of a television or computer screen. Then obviously, there's the food itself. Nothing beats home-cooked meals. I love cooking for others but am happy to take a seat and let someone else host. Bonus points if there's a story behind the recipe/dish they're making! Like you, I could go on. But I'll also say there's something about exercise that heightens my enjoyment of a meal, especially if I've just done something that particularly challenged my body. Perhaps exercise makes me more attuned to what my body is craving, so I'm more likely to nail it.
For a food writer, I'm embarrassingly ignorant of Ayurveda. So thanks for talking about it! Looking forward to reading more.
So true, Yasmin! I so wish some of these principles were used to design institutional food in schools and hospitals - taking time, choosing what your body calls for, fresh food etc.
And I, too, have learned from your mum's approach to food - savour and enjoy!
Loved reading this article Yasmin. It totally resonated with me, apart from your cravings for meat as I’ve been vegetarian for more than 40 years & don’t eat eggs now either. I, too, have found the research & discussion on Zoe really interesting. Can you recommend an Ayurvedic beginner’s guide?
I have made eating nutritious, fresh, home-made food & sitting down at the dining table together as often as possible the focus of family life for more than 30 years, often during very busy, hectic, stressful times (with 3 children & 2 step children - all now independent) & I look forward to meals that they will cook for us in the future where hopefully they will experiment & enjoy cooking with vegetables & herbs. They all love mezze/Middle Eastern type dishes & we have you to thank, in large part, for that Yasmin
I read these pieces of advice while waiting for my flight after moving back to my homeland - ever since my return, I've been making unwise food choices due to lack of time and I feel it in my body: I feel bloated, tired and I've gained weight. So, your advice has come at a wonderful time. I'm Brazilian, but I've lived in Germany and Mexico, and these experiences abroad have taught me something interesting: there's nothing like home food - and I'm not talking about your mom or granny's food, but the foods, spices and dishes that you grew up eating and, somehow, make you and your body feel embraced, satisfied and in peace. I've realised that I need the traditional Brazilian combination of rice, black beans, sautéed kale in garlic and some lean grilled meat at least twice a week to feel good and healthy. This is so true that due to fact that black beans aren't easily found in Germany, I've developed anoemia there. However, in Mexico, where it is easily found, my health improved, I no longer have anoemia and my hair is growing back again. Furthermore, I liked your advice on exploring Ayurvedic medicine - this is something I've always wanted to do, but was a bit afraid of, mostly because I used to think one has to follow all its principles in order to fully experience its benefits. All in all, amazing advice, beautiful family memories and great read.
Excellent piece, Yasmin - it's odd that we need to be reminded to take time for enjoyment: maybe has something to do with the expectation that everything must be as easy as possible to eat, let alone cook (boneless fish-fillets, shelled nuts, skinned and boneless chicken, ready-prepped veg etc).
Yes indeed. It took my kids (born in the 1960's, living in Andalusia) hours to crack through a packet of unshelled sunflower seeds (it's a skill - you have to crack 'em between yr back teeth and spit the shell out at the same time - really messy). And even longer to extract the kernels out of the seeds in stone-pine nuts (needs a hard surface and a fist-sized rock).
Love the story about your grandfather. Good on him for making the most of his short time on this planet!
To eat well, it's a combination of everything you touched on. I don't want to be rushed. Ideally, I want there to be a clear delineation from the rest of the day. That means no phones if it can be avoided (beyond the obligatory and celebratory photo of the dish and with friends/family) and sitting someplace that *isn't* in front of a television or computer screen. Then obviously, there's the food itself. Nothing beats home-cooked meals. I love cooking for others but am happy to take a seat and let someone else host. Bonus points if there's a story behind the recipe/dish they're making! Like you, I could go on. But I'll also say there's something about exercise that heightens my enjoyment of a meal, especially if I've just done something that particularly challenged my body. Perhaps exercise makes me more attuned to what my body is craving, so I'm more likely to nail it.
For a food writer, I'm embarrassingly ignorant of Ayurveda. So thanks for talking about it! Looking forward to reading more.
So true, Yasmin! I so wish some of these principles were used to design institutional food in schools and hospitals - taking time, choosing what your body calls for, fresh food etc.
And I, too, have learned from your mum's approach to food - savour and enjoy!
Thank you!
Great advice and I agree completely. Though I am quite partial to a corn cake with peanut butter - with something 'wet' like raspberry jam on top!
Loved reading this article Yasmin. It totally resonated with me, apart from your cravings for meat as I’ve been vegetarian for more than 40 years & don’t eat eggs now either. I, too, have found the research & discussion on Zoe really interesting. Can you recommend an Ayurvedic beginner’s guide?
I have made eating nutritious, fresh, home-made food & sitting down at the dining table together as often as possible the focus of family life for more than 30 years, often during very busy, hectic, stressful times (with 3 children & 2 step children - all now independent) & I look forward to meals that they will cook for us in the future where hopefully they will experiment & enjoy cooking with vegetables & herbs. They all love mezze/Middle Eastern type dishes & we have you to thank, in large part, for that Yasmin
What a beautiful essay. I particularly loved the story about your grandfather. He was right, life is to short to eat bad food 😅
Wholeheartedly agree with many of your suggestions and sentiments for eating well also.