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chow | experience

FEED THE BELOVED SOUL

Because J oy o f C o o k i n g was
Already taken

by Leslee Ryerson by matt brasier (www.mattbrasier.com)

n this day and age, we are very aware of the necessity of eating
right and creating a healthy lifestyle. I had the distinct pleasure of
meeting Kumud Gokani and her husband Dr.Gokul Gokani to talk
Iabout her cookbook, Feed the Beloved Soul an Ayurvedic Vegetarian
Cookbook. It may sound intimidating, but one encounter with the
lovely and gracious couple, and I can see the appeal. Ayurvedic vegetar-
ian cooking uses simple principles to make wholesome, delicious food
that is actually satisfying and will create a healthy, happy life.

In 1999, after years of adventurous world travels, the Gokanis landed
in Ashland. The charismatic couple quickly made many fast friends who
took to their hospitality, begging Kumud to teach them how to cook
the flavorful, exotic vegetarian dishes she shared. It sounded like a
great idea, but how and where to do it? And would anyone come? With
encouragement and literal help from their friends, they hand delivered
fliers throughout Ashland, inviting people to the Ashland Food Co-op
kitchen. The first class sold out, and she’s been teaching ever since. Her
students, when asked about their favorite part of class, always say it’s
sitting down together to share the meal they just prepared. The fellow-
ship of eating together makes it special.

Her students loved the classes so much they wanted her to share the
experience with even more people, so Kumud was urged to do a
television show. So she did! With absolutely no experience and with
the help and support of her husband, she started writing, producing,
and starring in the award winning cooking show, Cooking with Kumud,
on Rogue Valley Television. It was also her students who insisted she
share her recipes in a cookbook. Her first book, Cooking with Kumud,
was published in 2000 and was a huge success. Feed the Beloved Soul an
Ayurvedic Vegetarian Cookbook, her second book, was published in 2015.

To the average person, the topic of vegetarian cooking can sound
daunting so when given the chance, I asked, “If you have only one tip
to give a home cook to be healthier, what would that be?” Without
hesitation she answered, “Cook with Love. Cook with good intention
and with loads of love in your heart.” Which she says, can be applied to
anything we do. “Intention is everything. Be sure you’re in the mood
for it, and if you’re not, get in the mood. Pray to Existence, to bring
good quality in, to whatever you do. Love is the key ingredient and
changes the whole quality.” That is the founding principle she bases her
life on, and it’s definitely the secret of her cooking.

She makes sure her recipes are not intimidating by ensuring that the
ingredients are easily accessible at the local farmers market or the
grocery store. It would defeat the goal of spreading delicious, healthy
cooking, if the ingredients were hard to come by. She recommends
buying spices in the bulk food section so you can purchase smaller

110 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2020