Yes we got hit by a pandemic. Yes, we scattered ourselves dotting the globe because we couldn’t get back to our loved ones, and yes, we all snuck into our pigeon holes all over the world because staying away from each other was just the way to stay safe.
But, there was also a lot more to learn this year. A lot of us took to the streets in our cars to feed animals; there are dogs and cats that would depend upon daily walkers and temple visitors for their day’s meals (or at least one meal). Some of us sat home and developed skills – be it cooking, categorizing our days, working, reading or simply taking up a new hobby. I wonder how many people got on to learning how to play the guitar during these months.
But what this year really did teach me was the role food really plays in our lives. It is not just to get you from Point A of the day to Point B of it. It is not just a stomach filler, and not just something tasty to munch on while we’re bored.
It is one of the most important things to look into for a better well-being. Food is what helps us build an immunity, a strong heart and also helps lift our mood. This year has been one of many milestones for me. I learned a great number of recipes, introduced two new products, started some initiatives for environmental betterment and also introduced a sinful set of brownies to my healthy shelves!
Because of the lack of ingredients, I began cooking meals out of various combinations at home; and these turned into pleasant surprises. Some days it was a blessing, some days we wish we hadn’t mixed certain things. But once again, that is what life’s all about. The odd permutations and combinations in every case, that tend to bring out the best or the worst from us. I learned that through it all, mindfulness was our most important weapon. A feeling, a practice and a routine; all put together is what mindfulness is all about.
This mindfulness slows us down; it helps us focus on the task at hand. An uninterrupted focus. To truly enjoy what we are doing, in the moment. This practice also helps us think more clearly, when it comes to any kind of decision making. We came across a foundation that helped rebuild villages and decided to start a permaculture farm in their school; such a fun thing! After all, the little ones should learn from their early ages, to be able to implement innovative and environment-friendly methods with confidence.
Bremley Lyngdoh, of the Worldview Impact Foundation, was a miracle for us this year. We decided to put together my fun recipes and his initiative to plant trees together. How did we do it? I sell my recipe cards which are available for download, and for each recipe card you purchase, a tree is planted in North East India; rebuilding is the motto of this year, and we decided to do it well. We aim to reach 50, 000 trees with our recipe cards!
This was the highlight of my 50th year; and it could not have been in a better way!
Festivities and gifts play a major role for us in India; a gift is the best way to show love, to say “I am thinking about you!”. Diwali gifting made for a brilliant way to put our immunity research into play. Boxes full of goodness from fortified essential oils, pure elements and organically sourced ingredients and items, were the best part of diwali. We partnered with a special oil maker to create essential oils fortified with the 5 pure elements and further fortified with essential oils like Basil, Camphor, Patchouli, Champaka and Cinnamon. A burst of freshness and an aura of purity, is all that I wished for. And I found a way to share it!
Christmas is just around the corner, and fun is bound to come our way, because it is the happiest festival of the year. One of my favourites. I look forward to some fun cooking & gifting for Christmas, and don’t worry. The details will be shared very soon too!
This year may have been a slow year for us in terms of work and professions. But we must never forget what this year has given us; an insight into immunity, a realization of slowing down, and a need for better relations, because time is always of essence.
Written By Gouri Gupta
Week 49, December ’20
