NAMASTE!

ZUZANA ASKS DR. FIROZ VARUN, AYURVEDA DOCTOR AT THE CGH EARTH SWASWARA, ABOUT THE DIET & FOOD FOR SOUL..

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Our diets are tailor made to each individual programme at SwaSwara. Those on the Swa Well Being is served a healthy diet of vegetarian and seafood and also wine is offered as a part of this programme. Those on the 7 and 14 nights Rejuvenation and Detox & Panchakarma programmes would follow the Sattvic diet where the doctor would prescribe a personalised diet for each individual based on their Doshas.

DR.FIROZ VARUN
Ayurveda Doctor of CGH Earth SwaSwara
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FOOD IN THE HEALING PROCESS?

In ayurveda we see food as Annam Brahma (God is Food). When we are talking about the food, we are not moving only on the earth surface. Food is the main source of our energy, it is more important than medicines themselves. Our kitchen should be real pharmacy, but the source of our energy is also spiritual origin. It depend also when, where, how and with who you are eating your food. It all influences digestion and healing process. If digestive system works properly, the healing is faster. The heavy ayurveda treatments must be balanced with light food. All must be in harmony. 

SWASWARA HAS A VERY SPECIFIC DIET FOR EACH PROGRAMME…

Our diets are tailor made to each individual programme at SwaSwara. Those on the Swa Wellbeing is served a healthy diet of vegetarian and seafood and also wine is offered as a part of this programme. Those on the 7 and 14 nights Rejuvenation and Detox & Panchakarma programmes would follow the Sattvic diet where the doctor would prescribe a personalised diet for each individual based on their Doshas.

WHAT IS SATTVIC DIET?

The role of proper diet in health and healing is many times underestimated. Ayurveda categorizes and prescribes individual diets based on the principle of the five natural elements in the universe and the three Doshas of the human body that determine its constitution. These are linked to the elements as also the Gunas or natural forces which govern body and mind. At the beginning of an ayurveda programme, our doctors will analyse your body constitution and prescribe a diet that is appropriate with your Doshas. This diet will be Sattvic in nature, being wholly vegetarian and organic. 

Sattvic diet is a diet based on foods in ayurvedic and yogic literature that contain the quality (Guna) Sattva. In this system of dietary classification, foods that decrease the energy of the body are considered Tamasic, while those that increase the energy of the body are considered Rajasic. A Sattvic diet is meant to include foods and eating habits that are "pure, essential, natural, vital, energy containing, clean, conscious, true, honest, wise".

To encourage better nutritive assimilation and healing, Ayurveda also recommends mindful eating by which the full essence of food can be taken up by the body in a state of awareness and alert engagement.

HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN CONCEPT OF MINDFUL EATING?

I would say, it is a kind of meditation. As I said, in ayurveda we see food as Annam Brahma. God is Food, it means your perception of the food should be done with all the senses. You should see the food, smell it, touch it, taste it and also sound is important, you should not chit-chat with friends, watch TV, use any electronic devices or read the book while you are eating. You should fully concentrate on food, the process of eating and chewing the food. Only then your body will be able to identify whether the food, you are eating is good or bad for you and recognise the quantity of the food you need to eat. That is why we also pay attention to the ambience in our restaurant and presentation of the food. Sometimes just changing of the colour of your food on the plate can help to your digestion.

DOES COLOUR OF THE FOOD PLAY A ROLE IN AYURVEDA LIKE IN CHINESE MEDICINE? 

Not exactly, but beauty of ayurveda dwells also in the idea, that you should be constantly inspired by other sciences such as physics, chemistry or psychology. We should not strictly follow prescribed route, just for a sake of doing it, but also try to find the right way to benefit each person without violating the basic rules of ayurveda. 

DURING THE REJUVENATION PROGRAMME AND ALSO THE DETOX & PANCHAKARMA PROGRAMME ARE YOU PRESCRIBING ALSO DEEPLY CLEANING DAYS, WHEN PATIENCES ARE ALMOST WITHOUT THE FOOD?

It is very individual. It depend on health problems and patient health conditions. Some days we can supplement ayurvedic treatment only with the simple rice cooked in water or fruit and vegetables juices. 

WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD INGREDIENCIES YOU ARE USING FOR COOKING, WHO ARE THE  SUPPLIERS?

Well, we can say, that you have Konkan region taste on the plate. We buy the vegetables and fruits from local farmers and I would say that almost 75% of the vegetables used in our kitchen are cultivated in the property. The most of them are organic.

INTERACTIVE COOKING CLASSES FOR HEALTHY CUISINE

Everyday, SwaSwara chefs offer interactive classes for healthy cooking. The guests are encouraged to go into the kitchen and cook with the chefs to learn how to cook healthy and improve our food habits. They give you recipes to try at home and healthy alternatives you can find in your city. With the skill to cook with almost no oil, no refined sugar or flour, our guests have been able to successfully change their own and their family members’ lifestyle at home.
THIS IS REALLY FANTASTIC…

Yes, but we are facing also some problems, because we are running the property with the rainwater harvesters. In Summer cultivation and farming it is quite complicated. But rest of the year, we are using our own sources to prepare to ayurvedic food for our guests. 

At SwaSwara we encourage our guests to drink the freshly prepared herbal water served in the restaurant. Following the customary practice of traditional Indian homes, the water is infused with various herbs to purify the water in a natural way and also to aid good health.

AYURVEDA RECOGNISE SIX TASTES. WHAT IS THE TASTE OF THE LIFE?

Ayurveda says that, all six tastes should be included in every meal - sweet, sour, salt, bitter, astringent, and pungent. First three tastes give a strength to the body. They increase the Kapha. Kapha is the strengthening element, that is, sweet and sour taste. Other two tastes spicy and sour increase the Pitta. Astringent and bitter increase the Vata. All in life should be in balance, that is why we should not be afraid to try all of them and listen to the body, it always ask for right taste...

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INTERVIEWED BY

ZUZANA ZWIEBEL

Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.

AYURVEDA DOCTOR

DR.FIROZ VARUN

Ayurveda has many definitions as medical science. But the main idea of Ayurveda, not treating the diseases. We should see and take it as a part of our life and self-exploration. For me ayurveda means everything.

AYURVEDA RESORT

CGH EARTH

CGH Earth Hotels & Resorts create travel experiences that let you explore nature, community and culture intimately. These experiences are themed around you - your awareness and aspirations!

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