By Maria Benardis
Oxygen Magazine Australia
July/August 2014 Issue 67.
Maria discusses in this article concepts in her book “Cooking & Eating Wisdom for Better Health” (BALBOA PRESS) awakens people to the ancient Greek wisdoms for cooking and eating for better health and longevity. In ancient Greece they practiced ‘wisdom healing’: using food to nourish the mind, body and soul. “Let medicine be thy food and food thy medicine”. ‘Nature itself is the best physician.” – Hippocrates. Some of this wisdom is explored in this BLOG. In ancient Greece that were many who loved to 200 years old.
Why is it that in today’s technologically and scientifically sophisticated society, many people cannot achieve longevity? The ancient Greeks introduced the world to the concept of energy (from the Greek word energia) and its affects on humans, animals, plants and one’s health. We are all connected spiritually by energy, whether we choose to believe it or not. The ancient Greeks would preach that ‘we are all one’ “love is the cause of unity of all things” – Aristotle. We all form a part of the circle of life that revolves in a circular motion with no beginning and no end, particularly when it comes to cooking and eating and respecting our food and where it comes from. The ancient Greeks knew that if the food they were cooking had good energy and brought “agapi” (unconditional love), their dishes would be masterpieces — and masterpieces they were.
We are all made up of energy and we therefore require the consumption of energy in the form of food, air and water for sustenance and good health. In tandem we require an environment and thoughts made up of good positive vibrational energy.
The ancient Greeks would “think good thoughts”, live life with agapi and practice affirmations to assist with this process. There are many methods for raising our vibration to connect to ourselves, nature and God. This includes eating highly nutritious energetic foods and eliminating unhealthy thoughts and relationships. Eating high energy foods help us reach higher consciousness and to better connect with our higher source; God. This is one of the reasons why many ancient philosophers and healers were vegetarians such as Plato and Pythagoras When eating fresh fruits and vegetables off the plant, tree or vine the vibrational energy benefit of the food is high. When you eat organic food directly from the plant the plant is rich in nutrients from the sun.
Most fast food restaurants, large grocery food chains, even middle of the line eateries offer food that is of a very low energy vibrational quality thus not adding any valuable nutrients to the body. Eating high amounts of these foods can result in sickness, obesity, stress, and other health issues. Eating food that has conscious, good vibrational energy does not nourish you only physically but also spiritually and harmoniously.