How this one holiday meal can sustain your entire year of gratitude

I'm a fabulous cook, I won't lie. But I still feel the stress of big holiday dinners. From the menu to the decorations, it can be a lot.

So, I'm letting you in on my little secret so next week you're all set!

You see, in Ayurvedic medicine (Traditional East Indian Medicine) we learn that all food has energetics. The energy of how it is prepared, made, or grown. All of that go into the way the food settles in your body and even feels.

So the energy of the person cooking the food matters. My son asks me every morning if I remembered to put "love " in his food. (If that doesn't remind me to pay attention to my thoughts while cooking, I don't know what will.)

What you are thinking about, how you are feeling, what you put into the meal is then transmitted to the guests eating. Or maybe you are cooking or donating food to others in need. Definitely still use the relevant parts of this recipe. We all deserve the best.

Because here's the thing. One meal can be enough. More than enough. To provide an entire gratitude practice. And then that gratitude simmers in the whole meal, I swear people will feel it. (Spoiler alert: you will feel it too...)

The recipe...(Disclaimer: those who try this may be overwhelmed by gratitude and the beauty of this life.)

1. Buy the ingredients and food from the store...As you shop and buy the food, thank the farmers who grew the food, the earth that helped the food grow, the people who transported the food, those who stocked the shelves, those who now sell the food. Think of all the steps it took to give you this opportunity.

You are connected to the Earth and the communities who provide the food through gratitude.

2. Cut and prepare the food to be cooked...As you chop and prepare the food, thank this life for giving you the bounty of shelter and running water to prepare the food, these working limbs that chop and stir the food, and thank Life for giving you loved ones to whom you can serve in this act of Love.

You are connected to the bounty of all that you have and what your body can do through your Gratitude.

3. Serve the food to family and friends. As you set the table and serve the food, thank this life for giving you others to love and the means to provide nourishment.

You are connected to family, friends and your own heart though your Gratitude.

4. Before you eat, have a moment of gratitude for this food, for this day, for this chance to be alive...As you prepare ourselves to eat, take a moment for Gratitude to bring you to the present.

You are connected to the present moment through Gratitude.

5. As you eat, share your "gratefuls" for the day and this time in your life...As you eat, thank others for sharing their hearts with you.

And thus, as you eat, you are connected in a sacred circle to those around you.

I hope you're getting the picture. People ask me how to sustain a Gratitude Practice. 

My answer...sometimes It only takes one meal.

Live (and feast) well, Tanmeet