| There is a quote, from the scriptures about | | | | If you are not a healer, particularly not familiar to |
| Ayurveda, in one of the web pages of Dr. Vasant | | | | the Ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, this book |
| Lad's site. It is given as follows: "Ayurveda is | | | | can make an excellent introduction to other life |
| beyond beginning and ending. A science of eternal | | | | enhancing works of Dr. Lad. Another book of Dr. |
| healing, it is compared to a vast ocean, and | | | | Lad's called, 'The Complete book of Ayurvedic |
| studying Ayurveda to swimming across. A true | | | | Home Remedies', covers the same details of the |
| teacher can teach one how to swim, but the | | | | foundational principles of Ayurveda given in this |
| swimming is up to the student;...it is a lifelong | | | | text, 'Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-healing'. But I |
| journey." | | | | found this work as a gentler introduction to this |
| From using it as a heart-warming cookbook, I | | | | ancient system of healing. Both the works are |
| succeeded to experiment and then appreciate the | | | | extensively packed with details, but have their |
| simple and natural ways of healing some common | | | | own unique focus. |
| ailments, such as fever and cold. But as I open | | | | One of the issues in the process of changing |
| myself to the depths of learning that has been | | | | one's diet to vegetarian food is said to be, |
| designed into this work, the book reveals the | | | | according to a Q&A section with Dr. Weil, getting |
| microcosmic journey of swimming the seas of | | | | enough protein. If you are one among those |
| Ayurveda. The fundamental principles that | | | | trying to adapt to vegetarian diet, this book can |
| make-up a human body, like the five elements, | | | | give you the wholesome picture required to keep |
| the three bodily humors or doshas, the | | | | your health in balance. It provides an ample |
| step-by-step processes of digestion according to | | | | amount of recipes and an exhaustive list of simple |
| Ayurveda, and much more are covered in this | | | | fruits, vegetables and spices. Dr. Weil mentions |
| book. | | | | this as 'varied vegetarian diet' and also as a |
| This book has been written by Dr.Vasant Lad and | | | | healthier alternative. |
| his wife, Usha Lad. Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, 'is a | | | | One of the works of Andrew Weil, M.D., that I |
| world-renowned Ayurvedic Physician from India | | | | first read was, 'Spontaneous Healing'. The works |
| with more than 40 years of Indian medicine clinical | | | | of Dr. Weil and Dr. Lad are quite comparable in |
| experience.' He is also the founder of the | | | | the distinct field of healing, predominantly through |
| Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. | | | | natural means. Years before I was introduced to |
| The book shows the painstaking work of the | | | | the works of Dr. Vasant Lad, I was using the |
| authors to present to readers the complex details | | | | works of Andrew Weil, M.D. Dr. Weil's website is a |
| of food and cooking, uniquely derived from the | | | | well of resource, and the information that is |
| fundamentals of Ayurveda. Even those readers | | | | provided is from his unique expertise in the field |
| who have little background in this ancient method, | | | | of health, healing, food and more. |
| will find it easy to understand because of the | | | | I also learn that many of us have a longing for |
| simplicity and clarity in the presentation. | | | | connection with the ways of our ancestors to live |
| Tables are used wherever possible, making it | | | | our lives better. 'Ayurvedic Cooking for |
| easy to look things up. Sketches drawn by Dr.Lad | | | | Self-Healing' is definitely a book that renders such |
| himself, lend a distinct attraction for readers. It | | | | wisdom. It also contains in it an ambiance that |
| tends to unburden the reader from feeling any | | | | caters to readers from both the Eastern (India) |
| kind of heaviness while going through the | | | | and the Western (U.S.) countries. A copy of this |
| exhaustive information provided. It would be | | | | book, which I have, has become antiquated in |
| beneficial to also consider publishing a 'large print' | | | | appearance. It has been kept open several times, |
| version of the book, which I have not come | | | | on my kitchen counter. |
| across as yet. | | | | |