FIRST DEFINATION OF AHARA FOOD AS PER AYURVEDA
FIRST DEFINATION OF AHARA FOOD AS PER AYURVEDA
Ahara: The Essence of Nourishment
In Ayurveda, ahara—meaning “diet” or “what is consumed”—is considered one of the three pillars of life, alongside proper sleep and a regulated lifestyle. This ancient science views ahara not just as sustenance but as the foundation for health and vitality, often referred to as Mahabhaishajya (the superior medicine).
Key Aspects of Ahara in Ayurveda:
- Holistic Classification: Foods are grouped into categories based on their form (Ashit, Khadit, Pit, and Lehya), taste profiles, therapeutic qualities, and compatibility.
- Personalization: Ahara is tailored to an individual's body constitution (prakriti), season, and lifestyle, ensuring balance and harmony.
- Mindful Consumption: Ayurveda emphasizes eating with focus—avoiding distractions like talking or laughing—to foster better digestion and overall well-being.
The Art of Eating with Hands
Eating with hands is more than a cultural tradition; it’s a sensory experience that strengthens the connection between mind and body. The tactile engagement of fingers enhances mindfulness and stimulates digestion, promoting slower, more relaxed eating. Studies even suggest that food tastes better when eaten by hand, heightening the enjoyment and satisfaction of each meal.
At our café, inspired by these principles, we celebrate mindful eating, nourishing your body and soul with dishes rooted in ancient wisdom and modern flavors.
When it comes to talking about good home made food, I can not stop talking about our family of excellent cooks . From great grandfather to the youngest one in our family has shined and carried the torch of acquiring the love & passion of cooking. My grandfather was recognized as “Bhattji”( best cook) due to his art of cooking in the era of kings in Rajasthan. Passed on to every generation. During our family big events like weddings of 7 days , village feeding and any other Occasion etc. kitchens & cooking food were handled by all the males of our family from my father, uncles, brother & cousins and females used to help in prepping everything. ( pic)
Growing up in the environment my father & Aunt( his sister) learned to have the best tasting food and because of their desire to have good food and best taste. My aunt, when got married in a big family of farmers, learned to cook fresh food from farm ingredients and cooked in earthen pots (Some of that food still brings water in my mouth & nostalgia) .My mother acquired the ability to cook with perfection of my family’s taste buds . Passed to my eldest sister “Yamini Joshi”, my brother who are excellent in cooking and mastering the perfect taste and passed on to younger ones like me, my nieces & nephews and their children’s… everyone in our family has the unique talent of mastering certain dishes of our family favourite .
You will be able to learn & enjoy all the recipes with Ayurvedic principles and secret tips at our cooking workshops with my Sister Yamini .
Now let me elaborate about my sister who is a famous cooking instructor in New York city.
Yamini Joshi , my sister and eldest in family Originally from Mumbai, India, and now based in Kew Gardens, Queens,My sister Yamini is gem, a culinary enthusiast who brings the art of food & cooking to life, whether she’s showing you how to master the perfect roti or teaching the delicate balance of spices. Her commitment to using the freshest ingredients and preparing everything from scratch is at the heart of her cooking.
Raised in a multi-family apartment building in Mumbai, surrounded by around fifty relatives, Yamini was immersed in cooking from a young age. Her mother, grandmothers, and aunts passed down their culinary knowledge, and by the age of ten, she was already contributing to the family meals.
Our father, a lawyer with a diverse group of friends, introduced her to a world of different cuisines through shared meals in our homes. His passion for cooking was contagious, and she often watched him prepare large meals for religious festivals & family weddings . While her home was filled with the flavors of Rajasthani cuisine, she learned to cook dishes from all over India, thanks to the influence of neighbors and friends from various regions. After marrying, she expanded her culinary repertoire to include Southern Indian dishes, quickly earning a reputation as one of the best cooks in her extended family.
In 1999, Yamini moved with me to New York City with her husband and three daughters. After years of bringing homemade lunches to share with colleagues at a Manhattan jewelry company, she launched a small catering business in 2009. Now a proud grandmother of four, she continues to share her love of cooking in our family & others .
Yamini also has taught and brought joy to every member of the family an interest in cooking different cuisine like Chinese, Italian, Malaysian, Thai, you name it and our upcoming generation professionals like doctor, lawyer, engineers and PhD .
We will be happy to share our family food series with individual traits which was the dream of My Niece “ Dr. Plukshi Bhatt” who started to collect the recipes from each member of our family and her dream is to create our family and generations food recepies for next generations. And I am here to support her by bringing an Ayurvedic principle to each of those unique recipes .
Here is our family chef’s list and their Master dish.
- Late Gomati Khut
- Late Gaurishanker Bhatt- My father
- Damayanti Gaurishanker Bhatt
- Yamini Joshi
- . Nachiket Bhatt
- Nimish Bhatt
- .Jaimini Bhatt
- Mona Bhatt( Ayurvedic Practitioner)
- . Devyani Bhatt
- Nayana Bhatt
- . Neeta Bhatt
- Mahir Bhatt
- . Marshin Bhatt
- . Plukshi Bhatt
- . Himakshi Bhatt
- Janyu Bhatt
- Jishnu Bhatt
- . Kashvi Bhatt
- Pooja Joshi
- . Aarti Joshi
- . Bhakti Joshi
- . Avi vonbartheld
Yamini’s culinary expertise has earned her recognition in Saveur, Food & Wine, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Travel + Leisure, Oprah Magazine, MSNBC’s Your Business, WNYC, CBS New York, and more.