One of the best things about India is surely its cuisine. I have been a vegetarian for a while now and have found it fairly easy to be one in Stockholm. In India, there really seems to be no reason to eat anything but veg. The dishes are so varied, plentiful and rich in flavour, that the excuse of a vegetarian diet being "bland" just doesn't cut it. My husband Andy who is an occasional meat aficionado has not had a craving for anything carnivorous since we have arrived two and a half weeks ago.
Everything we choose off the menu (in most cases having no idea what we are ordering, as our Kannada is limited) is simply delicious. The only question we repeatedly pose is : "Spicy? No Spicy, please". They smile expectedly. But of course. We are westerners, who will tear up from "mild spicy" before we even get to swallow the first bite.
Despite the endless chances for culinary adventures, the amount I consume here is significantly less than in Sweden. For the first time in my life I am really watching the clock when it comes to planning our meals. Having the luxury to practise in Sweden at 8 or 9am, I have never had to think much about what time I should have my dinner. Starting the practise at 6am, makes it fairly burdensome on the system with the previous night's dinner lingering on. The intense spinal twists will remind you of that everytime.
It only took me a few days to tune into what my body needed in order for the vinaysas to flow just a bit more smoothly - empty stomach. Since I arrived to Mysore, I have fallen into a habit of having lunch as the main meal of the day. For dinner I usually have fresh vegetables and fruit. Somehow, the more yoga you practise, the more your focus becomes purely on quality and nutritional value of what you consume rather than quantity.
One of the reasons why we chose Anokhi Garden, the guest house that we stay at, was for their breakfast cafe. They prepare the most amazing ecological vegetarian and vegan morning delicacies, with a French twist, of course (the owners are two French ladies). Vegan pancakes, vegan crepes with hommade hummus, tomatoes and spinach, french toast, bruschetta, porridge with local bananas and cinnamon are just a few of the many delights. Flora's fruit salad with papaya, watermelon, banana, dates, pomegrante, frech coconut shavings and fresh mint or basil is to die for! A few lovely shakes with spirulina (blue-green algae, rich in nutrients and essential for vegan diet) and local fruits, as well as freshly squeezed juices are a must after an intense morning yoga routine. And of course, masala coffe - a divine blend of coffee, milk, cardamom and cinamon.
Having devoured my breakfast, I am usually not hungry until 2 or 3 pm, at which point Andy and I ride the scooter over to one of our favorite spots in Gokulam. Many of them are simply people's homes that welcome hungry yogis providing not only fabulous home-cooked meals, but also authentic Indian family atmosphere.
However, one of my favorite meals so far was a breakfast that my teacher Sheshadri and his wife served for us students after the morning practise last Friday. I must admit, I cannot even start to identify what ingredients were in some dishes, but they were the most aromatic, savory combinations, packed with important proteins and adorned with fresh herbs and spices. Bananas and papaya from Sheshadri's own garden as well as home made chai topped it all off. All served with love.
Tomorrow, Andy and I will be going to Sheshadri's house where his wife will give us a cooking lesson, an experience I'm looking forward to.
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