Tag: Food for Life

President of Uruguay welcomes Food for Life

President of Uruguay welcomes Food for Life

LunchwithPepeFFLG600

Voted the best president in the world, President of Uruguay, Jose “Pepe” Mujica agreed to allow Food for Life Global director, Paul Rodney Turner (Priyavrata das) to cook him a vegan lunch (prasadam) and then discuss setting up a Food for Life project in Montevideo.

“FFLG Coordinator for Colombia, Juliana Castaneda (Jagannath Priya) and I arrived at the Presidential house at 8am. The kitchen staff were waiting for my directions. We were also joined by a local ISKCON devotee, Lavanga Manjari. The three of us made a sweet potato, spinach curry with bbq tomatoes, lemon rice, samosas, mango chutney, chapatis, lentil soup, avocado salad, and a mango/coconut milk lassi made by Juliana that he was absolutely thrilled by. We finished off the meal with the most incredible peppermint vegan ice cream choc-top pie! Yes, that was what you have to do when you cook for a president!

“According to the house staff, this was the first time anyone has prepared a vegetarian, what to speak of a vegan lunch in the president’s house. They were all so excited and the head chef was furiously taking notes on all my recipes.

Everything went like clockwork. By 12 noon all the preparations were complete. I was told that the lunch would be served at 12, but actually it was not served until 12.40. I put together a sampling of all the things we made and had all the cooks come together with me and did an offering meditation over the food to bless it with nice energy. The local staff watched on and were really impressed.

“We then dined with the president, his secretary, the minister of social development, Mr. Daniel Olesker and our friend and famous sports reporter, Pepe Mansilla, who will be the new president of FFL Global Uruguay. We are so thrilled to have such a qualified man to lead the new project. Our lunch meeting went for 2 hours and included a 10 minute video of Food for Life’s work around the world. Jagannath Priya was absolutely on fire today talking to the president and making him smile and laugh. I was so proud of how she and Pepe represented Food for Life Global to the president, who only speaks Spanish.

In fact, our meeting would not have been possible without the tenacity and devotion of Pepe Mansilla He had been working on this desire of mine for many months and finally on the day before we are to leave Uruguay, he made it all happen. He is a gentleman and we are so excited to have him as a new member of the FFL Global team.

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“The president was extremely impressed and praised our work throughout the meeting. He said to me: “Many people need education about the way they eat.” And he told me bluntly, “Welcome, the doors are fully open here for Food for Life.” The Minister of Social Development told us, he wants Food for Life to improve on what the government has been working on for years with improving the quality of meals to children.

“We finished our meeting with the president signing autographs for all of us with a smile and some words of wisdom. I told the president that he is one of the few, if not the only president alive today that has integrity. It seems that all of the presidents of the world have sold out to corporate interests. “I wish there were more of you,” I told him. He replied, wow all those president must be really bad if you want more of me.

“President Mujica is an extremely humble and endearing man. We felt very welcome and encouraged by the presidents enthusiasm to serve his people. Juliana noted that at one time during our conversation the president was talking about his tomato sauce recipe,  and then said, “Tomatoes are so expensive,” indicating to her that he is actually aware of such trivial things. Most presidents are oblivious to the struggles of budgeting for meals, etc, but the president is aware and expressed his empathy for the challenges of his countrymen. “For me it just validated my respect for this wonderful man,” said Juliana. “He actually sells his own tomatoes in the market place. He is such a down-to-earth man.”

“President Mujica was particularly excited to learn that Food for Life likes to support  the local economy by purchasing food and grains from local sources. “This is important. We need to support our small farmers. They are good people but not always good in business. So it is important for the government to support their efforts. I like Food for Life’s attitude on this.”

FULL AMBUM at: http://on.fb.me/1jGfF1E

For more details on this meeting, visit my blog

FOODIE FRIDAY features the Food Yogi

FOODIE FRIDAY features the Food Yogi

FOODIE_Friday

Wellness Warrior, Jess Ainscough interviews the Food Yogi in her latest edition of Foodie Friday.

The full article is here:

Paul Rodney Turner, the Food Yogi, is the international director of Food for Life and the founder of Food for Life Global, the world headquarters for the charity. Food for Life is the largest plant-based food relief in the world with projects in over 50 countries that serves up to 2 million meals daily. Paul is also the author of FOOD YOGA – Nourishing the Body, Mind & Soul.

Multi-passionate Paul loves to write books and poetry, invent products, design websites, and logos, meditate, garden, teach numerology, create geometric signatures of birthdays and names, teach raw food prep, do headstands, and is always trying to learn something new.

Meet Paul …

What was the catalyst that turned you into a healthy foodie?

I have been into healthy food since I was a teenager. I was influenced by a friend of the family that was a fitness fanatic. He could do 50 push ups on one arm – I wanted to be like him. Later, when I became a monk at the age of 19 my fitness priorities changed, but I was still very much interested in keeping my body healthy, as I now saw the body as a temple.

What are your non-negotiables when it comes to your diet?

I will never eat meat, fish or eggs or any food that has caused suffering to animals.

Why do you eat the way you eat?

I firmly believe that our body is a temple and the more we respect it by keeping it clean and healthy the more effective it can help us raise our consciousness.

If you were trying to convert someone to your dietary philosophy, what would you make for them?

A raw vegan cheesecake

How do you stay healthy while traveling?

Everyday without fail I drink 1.5 litres of fresh water first thing upon awakening. I then do meditation, exercise and yoga for 1.5 hours. If I can’t do that I at least make sure to spend time in nature and breathe fresh air.

What are your go-to meals and snacks when you are super busy?

I love Turkish figs, raw almonds and apples.

Juices or smoothies: Which do you prefer? What’s your favourite combination?

I prefer smoothies because you can pack more into them. They are more efficient for the money and time spent. My favourite smoothie is the Coco Chai Shake. I have a few variations of this recipe, but here is one:

COCO CHAI

1 fresh baby coconut (all the water and “meat”)
½ banana
4 medjool dates
2 tbsp. agave nectar or maple syrup
1 tsp. chai spices
1 tsp. freshly grated ginger

What’s the biggest nutrition misconception you always have to clear up for people?

Vegans do not get enough protein and are therefore are not strong or healthy. I am stronger than most of my peers who are younger and who eat meat.

If you could prepare a meal for anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and what would you make?

John Lennon. I would make him nori rolls with my special sunflower seed pate inside; a kale go-go salad, raw vegan cheesecake and a pot of green tea.

What does being a Wellness Warrior mean to you?

Anyone who walks the path of love and light is a wellness warrior. We live in a world where corporate greed has taken a stranglehold of common sense, resulting in unhealthy and overweight bodies, low self-esteem and a general sense of hopelessness. A Wellness Warrior is someone who is willing to fight for a world where every person is living to their full potential.

A Recipe From Paul

Lemon White Chocolate Raw Vegan Passionfruit “Cheese” Cake


What you’ll need:

2 cups pecans
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup chopped Medjool dates
1/2 cup ginger, grated
1/2 tspn cardamon powder
1 cup coconut flakes
1 pinch sea salt
2 cups cashew nuts (soaked and drained)
2 cups fresh green coconut flesh (no water)
1 whole lemon (remove peel)
1/2 cup cacao butter (melted)
1 medium-size avocado
4 tbs coconut oil
1 cup agave nectar (clear) (or maple syrup)
3 large passionfruit
3 tbs coconut sugar
1 pinch saffron threads
1/2 tspn carageenan or guar gum
1 banana (sliced)


What to do:

Crust

Process Pecans, sunflower seeds, ginger, cardamon powder, dried coconut and salt until it creates a crumbed mix. Add dates through the shoot until the mixture starts to hold together like a dough. Do not over process. Press into a springform pan and place in fridge.

Vegan “Cheese” cake filling

Process cashew nuts, coconut flesh, lemon, agave nectar, melted cacao butter, avocado, and coconut oil until very smooth. Using the spatula to move the contents around the bowl. Continue processing for around 10 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
Pour into crust base
Allow to set in fridge for 6 hours
Remove and then cover the top with slices of banana.

Topping

In a pot, add passionfruit, sugar, saffron threads and thickener. Warm on stove while constantly whisking. Then cool down by pouring back and forth in another pot. Once it looks a little thick, gently pour over the top of banana slices.
Place back in fridge. It will be perfect to eat in 2 hours.

Positive affirmation for the day: I am making a difference.

New FOOD YOGA DVD released

New FOOD YOGA DVD released

Priya, the Food Yogi has released a double disc set of Food Yoga. Disc 1 contains a 2-hour introduction to Food Yoga as described in his new book. Disc 2 is 2-hour demonstration of how to make raw gourmet delights using only a blender and a processor.

The workshop was filmed at the Witchie Woo Wellness bed and breakfast on Bribie island and was produced by Foxtail Productions using three digital cameras. The presentation is first-class with overhead close-ups of every recipe. “The reviews for the new DVD have been wonderful,” says Priya Vrata. “I look forward to doing a follow up DVD with more recipes and sharing more information about the path of food yoga.”

His book, FOOD YOGA – Nourishing the Soul has received rave reviews from vegan celebrities like Victoria Moran, who says the book should be a “must-read for anybody who’s ever held a fork,” as well as Australian kirtan legend, Sri Prahlad, “FOOD YOGA provides a moment of rest to catch our breath, reflect, and gain clarity. Priya Vrata’s extensive knowledge drawn from both traditional and scientific sources provides insights into the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual nurturing provided when food is engaged with consciously.”

Topics covered in Disc 1 include:

  • Metaphysics of food
  • Sacred Foods and Alchemy
  • Sacred Geometry of Food
  • The importance of water
  • Food Politics
  • Spiritual Hospitality
  • The 10 Characteristics of a Food Yogi
  • Food Offering Meditation
  • Conscious Eating

Recipes presented in Disc 2 include:

  • Healthy smoothies
  • Raw vegan cheesecakes
  • Seed pates
  • Wraps
  • Nut milk
  • Raw nut “cheese” , etc.

Purchase your copy of the FOOD YOGA double disc set for only $40 (plus shipping):

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Food Hero Holds Workshops

Food Hero Holds Workshops

SOURCE: Caboolture News, Queensland

Priya Vrata has published a book Food Yoga – nourishing the soul about the benifits of raw food both physically and 
spiritually. Photo Vicki Wood
INTERNATIONAL food yoga hero Yogi Priya Vrata (Paul Turner) – recently conducted two food yoga workshops on Bribie Island at the Witchie Woo Wellness B & B.

Leesa Petfield | 14th February 2012: INTERNATIONAL food yoga hero Yogi Priya Vrata (Paul Turner) – recently conducted two food yoga workshops on Bribie Island at the Witchie Woo Wellness B & B.

Paul said he received positive feedback from both workshops. Some pupils said it was the most positive thing that had happened to them this year. All participants learnt the science of food yoga and were treated to a two-hour gourmet raw food demonstration.

Paul is the international director of Food for Life and the director of Food for Life Global, the charity’s world headquarters. Food for Life is the largest plant-based food relief organisation in the world. The project is in more than 50 countries and serves up to two million meals daily.

Paul’s journey began when he left home at 19. He lived in a commune in Sydney’s Blue Mountains where he was introduced to the fundamentals of Indian cooking by Akrura das, a former Hare Krishna monk. The experience ignited a desire in Paul to one day become a temple chef.

Paul said he was always fascinated with karma and spirituality, so he joined the Krishna ashram in NSW and become a monk. During his time as a monk Paul said he learned the art of gourmet vegetarian cooking.

In 1986 Paul started a Food for Life club and in 1989 his food yogi journey took him to the Hunter Valley region where he started a new Food for Life program. Paul soon realised that food was a wonderful communicator. Travelling to over 54 countries over the next 25 years, Paul helped to inspire and set up new Food for Life projects and train volunteers. Paul said his travels took him to three war zones – Chechnya, Bosnia and Georgia. He led an international team of volunteers to set up makeshift kitchens in villages across Sri Lanka in response to the Asian tsunami.

In 2010 Paul directed an international relief effort in Haiti where Food for Life Global served thousands of organic vegan meals to devastated Haitians.

In 2011 Paul travelled to Japan and established a feeding program for the survivors of the tsunami.

Paul said he had conducted workshops all over the world, directing the journey for food and using food to connect people. He now has several books published and two more books in the making. Readers can download the eBook from www.FOODYOGI.ORG ($9.95) or pick up a softcover at Witchie Woo Wellness B&B, 10 Eighth Ave, Woorim.

For more information on Paul’s food yoga checkout – www.foodyogi.org

SOURCE: Caboolture News

[paid-downloads id=”4″]

FOOD YOGA at St Kilda Festival

FOOD YOGA at St Kilda Festival

Standing room only for the Food Yoga workshop

Melbourne, Sunday, 12-2.-2012 — Over 70 people attended the Food Yoga workshop at the St Kilda festival in Melbourne’s Catani Gardens. During the workshop, Priya Vrata (the “Food Yogi”) demonstrated raw food recipes from his new book FOOD YOGA – Nourishing the Soul book. Participants could hardly wait to buy the new book. During the presentation, Priya touched upon a few of the key messages in the book, including the 5 keys to optimum health: Resonating to Phi (fivenesss) by reconnecting to the 5 basic elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether. To learn more about this system, download the latest version of the ebook now for only $9.95 [paid-downloads id=”4″]

Food for Life Director gives Food Yogi Workshops

Food for Life Director gives Food Yogi Workshops

Taichung, Taiwan — June 24 – 27 — Australian born, Paul Turner (aka Priyavrata), director of Food for Life Global is currently on a tour of Asian countries presenting FOOD YOGI workshops. The 3 day course presents the philosophy of Food for Life as it relates to food choices, lifestyle, respect for nature and spirituality.

The presentation is based on notes from Turner’s yet to be published book, FOOD YOGA – Nourishing the Soul — a 320 page manifesto of the Food Yogi lifestyle with a specific emphasis on introducing a Food Offering Meditation.

The idea behind the book was inspired by the founder of Food for Life, Swami Prabhupada, who said that “everyone should get a chance to take prasadam…” He believed strongly that through the liberal distribution of prasadam (food that is prepared with loving intention and then offered to God) the whole world could become peaceful and prosperous.” The meaning of this statement is that clean, non-violent foods that are prepared with loving intention have the ability to unite people in a loving bond. We all have experience of this when we sit down to a meal prepared with love on holidays.

The purpose of the Food Yogi course is to introduce students to the culture of spiritual hospitality and the importance of food on their spiritual journey. Students learn how to achieve optimum health by practicing the Food Yogi diet and lifestyle, which includes, what to eat, when to eat, water therapy, a food offering meditation, conscious eating and raw food demonstrations.

The Food Yoga workshop covers a variety of subjects, including:

  • Metaphysics of food
  • Sacred Foods and Alchemy
  • Sacred Geometry of Food
  • The importance of water
  • Food Politics
  • Spiritual Hospitality
  • The 10 Characteristics of a Food Yogi
  • Food Offering Meditation
  • Conscious Eating
Raw vegan red grape cheesecake
Raw vegan avocado soup 
Priya making a green smoothie

Every day is followed with a raw vegan food demonstration to show students that it is easy to prepare tasty, nutritious, good looking meals in minutes, including: Sprouting, salads dressings, green smoothies, energy drinks, live vegan soups, live vegan wraps, nut and seed pates and live vegan desserts.

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