If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
Krishna speaking to Arjuna; Bhagavad-Gita 9.26
Food tends to be at the center of almost all of our social activities. Plans with friends are made around a shared meal, Holidays are celebrated with special traditional foods, business deals take place over lunch or dinner and, of course, birthdays aren’t birthdays without a cake! Eating not only satisfies our hunger, but also our sense of taste. Cooking can satisfy our creative side and allow us to show our love to others by preparing their favorite dishes for them. These are the many pleasures associated with food, and cooking for Krishna brings it all to a much higher level.
All living beings have an eternal, blissful relationship with Krishna – the all-attractive form of the Divine. We cook for Krishna, the source of our sustenance and maintenance, to show appreciation for everything that is provided to us. It is an important cycle of reciprocity to preserve. But that is not the only reason we cook for Krishna. Cooking is one of the many activities on the path of Bhakti Yoga, which brings us into union (yoga) with the Divine through loving devotion (bhakti). Krishna reciprocates with our offering of love and devotion by accepting the food. This acceptance transforms the activity and the offering from matter to spirit. We call this spiritualized food prasadam. The whole process of cooking, offering and eating becomes an enlightening and very fulfilling activity – cooking and eating go beyond the ordinary!
In observation of compassion for all living beings we only offer vegetarian food to Krishna. For those of you who live in Western Massachusetts and are interested in learning how to cook with spiritual awareness and loving devotion to the Divine check out our schedule of classes below. Bring your consciousness to a higher level as you cook to nourish the body, mind and soul!
Visit www.NohoBhaktiYoga.com for our schedule of other classes on philosophy, meditation and devotional music.
Cooking for Krishna – Northampton Classes
Modern Take on Classic South Indian
Friday June 7th, 2013
6:30-8:30 pm
$35
Learn a simplified version of South Indian stuffed dosas – a gluten free crepe stuffed with creamy pureed sweet potatoes. Spicy sambar stew and piquant lemon rice round out the meal.
Vegan
Class is limited to 5 students – your space is reserved with registration payment. Refunds only given up to 7 days before scheduled class or if class is cancelled. Non-refundable fees can be applied to another class. We are located near Main St in Northampton, directions will be given to registered students a week before class.
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Kitchari with Krishna
Sunday June 16th, 2013
2:30-4:30 pm $25.00
Enjoy a simple, healthy meal cooked in the spirit of devotion to Krishna. Kitchari is a succulent, stick to your ribs, one-pot meal filled with loads of vegetables,aromatic spices, and protein complimentary rice and beans. Freshly cooked whole wheat flat breads, called chapatis, are a great way to scoop up your kitchari along with a refreshing cucumber yogurt raita!
Lacto-Vegetarian
Class is limited to 5 students – your space is reserved with registration payment. Refunds only given up to 7 days before scheduled class or if class is cancelled. Non-refundable fees can be applied to another class. We are located near Main St in Northampton, directions will be given to registered students a week before class.
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Thai Coconut Curry with Veggie Pancakes and Tangy Dipping Sauce
Tuesday June 25th, 2013
6:30-8:30 pm
$30
Cooking for Krishna is the spice of life! Colorful vegetables are folded into a creamy peanut and coconut curry and served over a bed of snowy white rice noodles. Vegetable pancakes accompany the meal topped with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce.
Vegan
Class is limited to 5 students – your space is reserved with registration payment. Refunds only given up to 7 days before scheduled class or if class is cancelled. Non-refundable fees can be applied to another class. We are located near Main St in Northampton, directions will be given to registered students a week before class.
The only testimony I can truthfully give about Nanda’s cooking is: I have eaten her delicious food for years!! She is quite the chef!!
Nanda is not only a good cook, but she’s also a great teacher! I always go to her for cooking tips and menu ideas. She certainly knows the art of creating beautiful and tasty preparations that are also practical for everyone to cook. I always look forward to Nanda’s meals and recipes!
Everything Nanda cooks is delicious. I can always rely on her tips for ways to dress up something old or even create something entirely new. I would recommend her cooking class to anyone looking to eat healthier… or just tastier.
Nanda is a rock star in the kitchen. Not only has she been cooking gourmet, vegetarian feasts for decades, but she has consistently taught and encouraged many novices in the kitchen who are eager to learn her skills. Watching Nanda cook in the kitchen is like watching an artist paint in the studio. As a fellow vegetarian cooking instructor, I recommend her classes to anyone and everyone eager to learn the art of vegetarian cuisine.
As her student, I can attest to her precision, cleanliness, methodical approach to cooking. She encourages high standards in the kitchen and helps you in attaining them in a very simple and common sense kind of way. My favorites are her Italian and Indian dishes! Plus her vegetarian thanksgiving dinner is just superb.