JoyFull: Cook Effortlessly, Eat Freely, Live Radiantly (A Cookbook) by Radhi Devlukia-Shetty ($35, 9781982199722, February 27, 2024).
To be honest, I never, ever thought I would write a book. Until now, I had always seen myself as a perpetual student. Maybe that identity allowed me to satisfy my deep desire to learn. Or maybe it was just a good way for me to avoid imposter syndrome (or subconsciously avoid adult responsibilities!). Whatever the reason, I was—and still am—a serial seeker. That curiosity has led me to great places: I earned a degree in nutrition and dietetics; I trained as a yoga teacher; and I spent years studying Ayurveda, an ancient, though incredibly relevant, approach to mind-body wellness that has completely changed my life. I experienced firsthand how powerful these teachings are. I saw how inviting sattvic or healing plant-based foods to my plate, gratitude to my mind, and love to my heart could bring me a deeper sense of contentment and vitality. I knew that I wanted to one day help others feel it themselves, but when it came to actually being the teacher, I wasn't sure these gifts were mine to share just yet. I still saw myself as the baby of the family who followed her big sister's every move (including switching from vegetarian to vegan after she read Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals), never making decisions for herself (down to the cutlery set I bought for my first flat), and generally feeling unsure of what I really had to offer.
Then one day, my spiritual teacher, His Holiness Radhanath Swami, said this: "Knowledge is useless unless it is shared." It felt like he was telling me exactly what I needed to hear in that moment of my life. And when the Universe sends you that kind of message, you listen. In that instant, I knew what I needed to do: Stop searching for that next rabbit hole to immerse myself in (probably some sort of aromatherapy massage course) and instead find a way to put his advice into practice. I had finally realized that everything I had learned boiled down to this: What you eat—along with your daily habits and the thoughts you think—has the ability to completely transform every aspect of your health. And I wanted to be a vessel for that message.
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| Matcha Tahini Latte | |
Since that major aha moment six years ago, I've connected with a big, beautiful online community where I've shared plant-based recipes and Ayurveda-inspired wellness advice (plus some dance moves I was sure no one wanted to see!). Over the years, I've gotten to hear about all the ways that people have dramatically improved their sleep, naturally supercharged their energy, balanced their digestion, sharpened their focus, and felt lighter and brighter overall. I remember when I was once on a hike in LA, way up in the hills, and a woman seemingly miles below called out to me, "RADHI! I drink water the right way because of you!" (And so will you once you read this book!)
These experiences have taught me that even the smallest shift can have a big impact. Even if it's just one person I've reached, then it will have been worth it, because they, too, become a channel for that change, which then creates a beautiful chain reaction for us to elevate one another.
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Buckwheat Pancakes with Compote and Sweet Cream |
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In this book, you'll find some of my favorite recipes that I've collected and created over the years. They are just as much a reflection of my love for cooking as they are a product of my grandmothers' traditional Indian recipes, my mum's magic touch for blending different cuisines and flavors, my dad's opinions about how to make a recipe absolutely perfect (which is why he's my official taste tester), and my passion for infusing simple, seasonal ingredients with bright punches of flavor and all the saucy, creamy, crunchy condiments. They will satiate you at every meal and scratch the itch when cravings arise. No one said the road to enlightenment couldn't include a pit stop for breads and sweets!
And while we're nourishing your body with vibrant, plant-based dishes, we'll be working on getting you back into rhythm with nature. By embracing simple but powerful habits such as creating meals that balance all six essential tastes, eating with all your senses, practicing breathwork to help you transition through the phases of the day, and cooking and eating with gratitude and presence of mind, you'll be creating a strong foundation for health and vitality in body and spirit.
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My Everything Packed Salad |
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I hope this book sparks in you the same love for this conversation with nature that's brought so much of the good stuff to my life. And I hope it helps you take the next step (even if it's just a baby step!) toward nourishing yourself from the inside out. As with everything in life, the more you commit, the more benefit you will receive. It is, after all, the law of nature.
As you begin this new chapter, I'll leave you with this affirmation:
What I feed my mind, body, and soul becomes who I am, and I choose to be full of joy; I choose to be joyFULL.
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| (Photograph by Camryn Eakes) | |
Radhi Devlukia-Shetty is a clinical dietician, nutritionist, and always-learning cook who brings a modern approach to the ancient principles of holistic wellbeing. Radhi grew up in the UK and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jay.