Cooking for a healthy body and mind.
Nurturing body and mind in modern times
I was overjoyed when we posted 'Cooking for a Healthy Body and Mind,' and to my surprise, the class quickly sold out. I've always been eager to offer new classes, regardless of their immediate popularity, and this one struck a chord. Shortly after its launch, a GP booked the class, not for her patients but for her fellow colleagues. The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) also adopted the programme elsewhere. The class description reads:
In today's fast-paced world, many of us struggle to find balance in our lives, whether due to work, family, or a combination of both. Coping with the stress of cooking and providing for ourselves and others can be challenging. While cooking from scratch is an ideal we all aspire to, the reality of modern life often interferes, making it a daunting task.
Despite my background with a Masters in Human Nutrition and my wonderful cooking school, I too wanted to delve deeper into the food choices that could support my own health and well-being. In the midst of the second year of the pandemic, I sought respite from the city and countless Zoom meetings by enrolling in Leith’s School of Food and Wine's 'Nutrition into Culinary Practice' course. As part of the course, we were tasked with preparing a 5-day meal plan. In my introduction, I wrote:
I believe I've recently entered perimenopause and decided to enrol in the Nutrition in Culinary Practice course at Leith's to explore a new dietary plan for myself.
Commute to London every Friday for eight weeks, focusing on acquiring new cooking skills, was the perfect escape during the pandemic's second year. It allowed me to disconnect from work and the daily barrage of COVID-19 updates. Walking through Ravenscourt Park in the sunshine marked the ideal beginning to each day. Delving deeper into preparing nourishing meals for myself and tending to my changing body has genuinely transformed my daily life. The prospect of dedicating 3 to 6 hours during the weekend or mid-week evenings to prepare a variety of dishes for the week ahead fills me with joy.
Exploring new recipes and savouring the tranquillity that cooking brings me fills me with immense joy. Additionally, it warms my heart to see that my family and friends now hold my cooking in higher regard. I delight in using a wide variety of fresh produce and find value in experimenting with diverse ingredients and flavours to keep my culinary journey exciting.
Of course, it's not solely about the food we consume. I also scheduled weight training sessions, which alleviated the lower back and knee problems that developed during lockdown. I maintained my yoga practice, began learning Sanskrit, and faithfully took my daily dose of vitamin D spray. Recent blood tests reveal that my folate, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and zinc levels are all within the normal range, and I feel exceptionally well. I'm convinced it all begins in the kitchen.