YAKUZEN = or Yakuzen-ryori is a special medicinal cuisine served at a Buddhist temple. Similar to Shojin Ryori.
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I was reminded of Shinobeau who lives in the forest, as other day, I was passing by a street named “Wanowa” in San Francisco. Then my thoughts wondered … to the idea of all these unhealthy relationship with food people may be fighting … what if they tried or adopted Wanowa’s just as a “retreat” to refresh and reboot.
So interesting to learn about “othorexia” in yoga therapy TT as we have a tendency to restrict ourselves believing that strict, rigid discipline is what’s needed for our transformation.
Have you ever thought about the cultural context of our food relationship? There’s a lot of emotional attachment to foods and that sometimes dictates our diet.
For example,
If you are of Chinese descent and have fond memories of having dim sum with 3 generations of smiling faces on Sundays, I think that’s great; if you are Jewish and have fond memories of a certain New York deli, where you used to share a pastrami sandwich with your grandmother along with a big bowl of chicken soup rumored to stave off the sniffles during the flu season … isn’t that great? Medicinal elixir is what you believe it to be! If you are French, perhaps that fluffy omelette and buttery crepes your mother used to make brings up warm and fuzzy feelings. On my birthdays growing up, my late father used to take me out for sushi to celebrate – he’d have sake and I would be happy with green tea as we marveled at the fresh shiny morsel of delicacies. What about the good times memory you have when your late father fired up the BBQ and invited the neighbors… Well, I think all – what you may interpret as “bad” or “sad” or “impure”? foods should be honored. It’s okay – it’s all good – one should never be shamed. It is healthy to indulge from time to time – it’s good for our soul if not for our waistline. The soulful benefits we get out of these comfort foods far outweigh the benefits of restraint and denial of those positive memories – tied into the foods you shared with those important people. Telling myself to – Lighten up and be more flexible and spacious this year. Less judgement but just open mind; open, vast body cosmos.
The real cause of a weight gain in many cases is not from lack of exercise and eating too much – the major reasons for weight gain is often (1) too much stress where stress hormone cortisol is released causing cravings for emotionally attached but not necessarily good for you kinds of food – sugar, deep fried foods, high salt in take and high carbs … and (2) not enough rest/sleep. This happens a lot to students with needs to study longer, staying up late, reaching for snacks to keep awake. Sleep deprivation often causes the weight gain… as our metabolism is not functioning at the highest efficiency. If you are starting to think something is wrong with your thyroid because you wonder about your metabolism, address these two likely common causes first and then go check on your eating habits.
I do think that certain food professionals and coaches can really transform our health though by allowing us to look at our relationship with food with fresh new perspective.
Here’s a local chef, Shinobeau, whose cooking has really made me feel just so … pure:) each time I take a bite of her offering.
Her dedication to provide a well balanced dining experience is heartwarming.
Here’s her lovely homepage:)
The much loved import from India for decades must be flavor of curry. Here in Japan. You find it of course on rice, even in udon noodles but most loved baked into bread. 3-5 varieties at this bakery near banks of Sumida river. 
