Probably two to three decades earlier, people thought that once they saw their grandchildren grow up, their duties towards the family and children were over and they were ready to leave the planet earth. Once they crossed the age of 55 to 60, they devoted their time to spiritual pursuits so that they would not suffer in old age and make a smooth passage to heaven. Those who believed in rebirth prayed that they attain Moksh and not get another birth. They changed their lifestyles accordingly, mainly in terms of food, clothes and activities. Most of them became vegetarian and resorted to simple traditional clothes and exercises like walking and yoga. The elders also spent time in other religious activities like attending talks (Prabachans) by saints and watching it on television. It was a simple (Sattwik) way of living.
The scene is totally different now. The elders expect to see their grandchildren married off and to be able to see the next generation too. The lifestyle has become one of enjoyment, material comfort and worldly desires which is referred to as Rajasik. There is nothing wrong in this as one has to move with the times. While the West is following and adapting the good qualities of the Indian way of living, we are following the Western way of a materialistic society.
The elders, including women, feel they have struggled a lot looking after the previous generation and also sacrificed in bringing up their children. They feel they are now free of their burdens and can enjoy life finally. One can see them in colourful T shirts, jeans and costly sports shoes. We find them searching for methods to slow down the process of aging which is commonly called as ‘age reversal’. You can find them at laughter sessions, yoga camps, gyms, aerobic classes and what not. They can also be found at coffee shops and the best of restaurants. But their regular food is in tandem with age reversal.
Even the younger generation of today is interested in age reversal process. All of us want to live longer. We have to remember that the foods which help us take out the toxins from the body or prevent toxins from getting in help us in living longer. It’s very simple dynamics. There are very many health resorts where one can go and stay for a short while and detoxify our body and mind. But what’s about our daily exercise and daily dietIJ That has to help us live longer. The kinds of food mentioned as follows can help us detoxify and also enable us to live longer.
Foods that have life: Raw food
Humans are the only beings on this planet who process and cook the food before eating. All other animals eat food in a raw form. Our ancestors also used to do so. Over the time, we adhered to the sense of taste and started cooking or baking the food. Some items are still eaten raw which have life and can help us live longer.
Sprouts
Any form of pulse or seed which can be soaked overnight and made into sprouts and eaten raw are very beneficial. They are still alive or have life in them. That energy gets transferred. Sprouts can be made from moong, black chana and any other edible seed. It has become a fad to eat moong sprouts daily and people are eating by the bowlful. That can be dangerous as it is high in Vitamin A and can corrode the kidneys. One tablespoon with the morning breakfast should be enough.
Seeds
When we are advised to eat seeds like methi, flak seeds, yellow desi raasi by soaking overnight and chewing it in the morning, it would be better to make sprouts and eat raw.
Vegetable juices
Since over time in evolution we have lost the ability to chew raw food, the best way is to make juices and drink them. Most popular are lauki juice and karela juice. Other vegetables that can be converted into juice are beetroot and red carrot. These are easily available. However, we should start with just a cup of juice and then go slowly up to a glass as it suits our system. Please avoid radish (mula) juice as it is very pungent and concentrated. That can be eaten as salad and that too only a few slices.
leaves
The most common leaves locally available are dhania, pudina and bhrusunga. A few leaves of bhrusunga can be chewed on an empty stomach in the morning. The other two can be converted into chatni and a few teaspoonfuls can be had with the food daily. If you want to have it as a juice, then make it very watery. Other leaves like celery are difficult to get, but, if available, should be eaten along with salad.
Salad
Salad has to be a must at every meal. We can have a combination of raw tomato, cucumber, celery, tender cabbage leaves, capsicum and mula (couple of slices).
Fruit Juices
The easiest ones to make are apple and orange juice. Please avoid milkshakes with fruits as milk has high fat content and the natural nutrients of the fruits will be lost.
Important formula
Of the above-mentioned items, please have only one of each item daily. For example; one type of sprout, one type of seed, one vegetable juice, one fruit juice, one chutney and one salad. That too, please start off with small quantities so that you know which item suits you. There is no need to add salt or sugar because they already have natural sodium and glucose which are easier to absorb. There are absolutely no side effects of the items given. Over a period of time, these will become your main food and the cooked food will become a side dish.
(The writer, a freelancer, is a futurologist and imparting spiritual guidance to young professionals. E-mail: sikta_pati@rediffmail.com)