Exercising Away To FBAI Dialogues- A Conference: Part One

It’s a choice we make, sometimes we have to cancel one event to attend another event and eventually might disappoint somebody during such decisions. But I have wonderful friends who understand me and did not crib when I cancelled my weekend trip to Pune with my group of friends and decided to attend this #wellness conference organised by FBAI at JWMarriot-Juhu.

It was worth it. Really. There is always something new to learn. I agree, most of the things you hear in any conferences, are mere repetitions, you have heard them many times, but still, you read between lines and there is always one thin layer of knowledge that clings to you.

So here I was, early in the morning (shooing away my maid to finish her chores quickly so that I could step out. Registration, coffee and meeting everyone with brief hello (I am listener, I talk very little , i am more of an observer and I am boring too) so it was best to walk into Yamuna room. The session started with exercises and Yoga - thus the group of foodies and bloggers were charged with wellness #FBAIdialogues.

The session started with Vicky Ratnani, who took us to Sasson docks through his short film and gave us the experience of shopping for fish early in the morning. His message was clear, “Eat fresh, eat local” He gave the example of eating tomatoes, which when cut fresh, you just add lime, salt, pepper and olive oil and it tastes so good but if you store it in fridge for a week and then eat, the same tomato will taste different. The nutrient are much higher when fresh. He stressed the need to buy local seasonal food and support farmers. Indians have always been eating turmeric and other spices, they have always used coconut oil in cooking but its western culture who are now discovering the nutrient value of Indian way of cooking. “Its better you pay the farmers than you paying the doctor” he said.

This was followed by the conversation with Fitness blogger – Anandita De, Founder of Risqueby. The discussion was on (What else?) fitness ofcourse. How to stay fit by eating right kind of food. She stressed the need to be aware of what you eat. “Avoid white color food, avoid oil, and in short eat in moderation.”she said

Mr CSNageshwaran of Vikroli Cucina spoke about Godrej food trends 2018  and made us aware that people are moving towards healthier food habits.

Trupti Gupta spoke about including Walnuts in our daily diet and how it can take us to healthy lifestyle. There are hundred types of diet and there is no formula for following it in a particular way, we have to eat in moderation and understand what are our body’s need. Including nuts in our daily diet is very important. “Walnuts are good for brain. They are lightest in digestion and they help us fight stress and pollution” she said.

Naina Setalvad gave her real life example telling us what to eat to keep healthy. Today’s food promote gluttony, increasing illness, violence and creates criminal minds. You are what you eat. You become selfish and irritable when you eat wrong kind of food. She stressed the need to go back to traditional way of eating, to avoid junk food, processed foods and fat. “No spices can be absorbed by fat” she said.

A short break for brunch was very satisfying with well thought out spread of nutritious food. There were salads, soup, desserts and fruits. Loved the Goan Fish curry..Yummmmmmm!! loved it..I am still drooling...want to go back for more....

Post lunch, a session with Sameera Reddy who spoke about magical Mom’s diet.

In a panel discussion of well balanced meal, moderated by Sameer Malkani, there was interesting discussion with participants Payal Kothari, Tara Mahadevan, Mira Manek and Kunal Vijaykar. We all are born with hunger instinct. We have conscious and sub-conscious mind. When we understand all kinds of cravings and make our diet to suit our body’s needs, twisting the traditional food with healthy diet, we can make a proper decision about what is good for us. We all are conditioned to eat certain kind of food, we have to journal our activities and write about our craving and what we have to avoid. “Ask yourself if you are healthy, what and how you should eat.” Said Kunal who has lost weight by adopting the right kind of diet.

Tanushree Mukerjee in conversation with Saloni Malkani spoke about mind,soul and body transformation. Everything is in our mind. You have to make a decision to stay healthy and you can achieve a goal. She does everything: yoga, exercises, weight lifting. While travelling she carries fruits. "You have a choice to choose right kind of food. Feed your body, not your emotion” she said.

Aditi Dugar, the owner of the beautiful restaurant Masque spoke about power of regional cooking. Food is about personal story. Every household have their own signature garam masala. Culinary journey is to know what food is all about. Many are retelling their story in a modern way. If the story is based on culture of Kashmir, for example, their techniques, their seasonal food , their spices, makes  all the differences. She has travelled widely to understand the different culture and she employs modern concept to the regional cooking at her restaurant.

I am very sleepy now...can't write more..zzzzzzzzzzzz.....

To be continued……… stay tuned.... for Part two HERE