The other day I happened to have dinner with a Punjabi family. And at the table Aunty encouraged us to have the food with our hands. This was most appropriate as food never tastes so good when we use a spoon and fork. I was quick to grab the opportunity. It also came as a surprise because years of living in Delhi have got me into the belief that Delhites live in a world of show and may be even eat samosas with forks and knives. But not only was Aunty's cooking awesome, I am kind of trying to make a resolve not to feel awkward having food with hands in public. At home using a spoon would make us a laughing stock anyway.
This made me remember my Nandos experience in London where eating with hands was encouraged as this meant less use of cutlery, leading to need less use of water for cleaning the utensils etc.
The real taste of food can only be felt by licking the fingers, no wonder we say 'finger-licking'. I have always enjoyed licking the remnants of the sweet curd on earthen pots. This was kind of a ritual every Sunday many years ago. I also particularly enjoy finger licking the remnants of any sweet dish after all the content has been transferred to a bowl.
If we go deeper into the science and the health benefits, we would know that when we use our fingers, our system releases digestive juices and enzymes which aids in overall digestion process. Also according to Ayurveda, eating with fingers stimulates all the elements which naturally aids in the all round development of the body. Eating with the hands creates awareness as we feel and relish the food. We not only feel the warmth of the food but the body also knows now what to expect.
Going back to traditions, we would be served food in banana or palm leaves during festivals. These were so economical when we think about them now, not only could you dispose them easily, there was no labour involved in cleaning the cutlery, no wastage of water and no worrying if these plates were degradable or if we were consuming chemicals along with food.
Going back traditional is not only the most logical thing to do now but it is also scientific. So we need not be suddenly conscious of our environment on certain occasions if we can inculcate these habits back in our daily lives.
This made me remember my Nandos experience in London where eating with hands was encouraged as this meant less use of cutlery, leading to need less use of water for cleaning the utensils etc.
The real taste of food can only be felt by licking the fingers, no wonder we say 'finger-licking'. I have always enjoyed licking the remnants of the sweet curd on earthen pots. This was kind of a ritual every Sunday many years ago. I also particularly enjoy finger licking the remnants of any sweet dish after all the content has been transferred to a bowl.
If we go deeper into the science and the health benefits, we would know that when we use our fingers, our system releases digestive juices and enzymes which aids in overall digestion process. Also according to Ayurveda, eating with fingers stimulates all the elements which naturally aids in the all round development of the body. Eating with the hands creates awareness as we feel and relish the food. We not only feel the warmth of the food but the body also knows now what to expect.
Going back to traditions, we would be served food in banana or palm leaves during festivals. These were so economical when we think about them now, not only could you dispose them easily, there was no labour involved in cleaning the cutlery, no wastage of water and no worrying if these plates were degradable or if we were consuming chemicals along with food.
Going back traditional is not only the most logical thing to do now but it is also scientific. So we need not be suddenly conscious of our environment on certain occasions if we can inculcate these habits back in our daily lives.
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