The Bhoomi Magazine as well as Bhoomi Network have been focussing on the connections between foods that provide nutrition and keep us naturally healthy and sustainable food. Many participants of Bhoomi programmes have shared with us how these have set them on a path of discovery and wellness. We share below a selection of letters we have received during the last two years
‘Genetics’, is what the doctors had to mutter, when the lab churned out these readings two years ago: Total cholesterol - 341, Triglycerides - 988. To crown these accomplishments, I have had a triple by-pass surgery. My diet used to be mostly statins with some food allowed in-between. To escape side effects, I took frequent sabbaticals from statins, resulting in top scores as mentioned.
I did a Nutrition programme organised by Bhoomi and after 3 weeks my scores were: Total Cholestrol - 184, Triglycerides - 218. The interesting part is that I required 400 mg of statins to keep numbers in control a year back and reduced it in consultation with my Physician to 200 when I began the new food regime. I was later able to reduce it to just about 70 mg.
More than all this I feel healthy and energetic. Though they have also advised me to exercise, walk etc., I have been the couch potato that I have always been.
I would say I have observed the rules only to the extent of 50%: No breakfast until noon, plenty of fruits instead.
Salads before a cooked meal. Dinner by sunset. No milk or milk products. No sugar, jaggery instead. Not too difficult at all – and I have kept it up till now. I believe this works for most diseases bred in cities. I write this letter in the hopethat others may benefit from such food for thought and the body.
M. Chockalingam
Bangalore
I came across your magazine last year and since then I make it a point to not miss any issue. It contains very thought provoking articles, most often in areas that are of interest to me and my family, namely nutrition, health and education.
Through Bhoomi, we also attended workshops on Organic Gardening and Conscious Health, Conscious Kitchen. These workshops have been instrumental in changing the way our family eats; our consumption of fruits, raw vegetables has gone up fourfold, oil usage has reduced to half and caffeine intake has become zero.
The workshops introduced us to Adi Naturals’ organic produce and today we are able to run a fully organic kitchen. We also attended the Bhoomi Utsav and thought it was wonderfully organised. Hope the Utsav becomes a bi-annual affair and the magazine eventually morphs into a monthly. It’s always a long wait till the next issue.
Shilpa Paralkar
Bangalore
As a keen proponent of good nutrition and responsible living, I have come across a lot of serious writing and opinions in this space. As a blogger, I am always looking for original, genuine material to refer to.
I find Bhoomi Magazine in a class of its own. Topics from Bhoomi inspire me not just for what the Bhoomi team attempts to share in every rich issue, but pleasantly for my family provides fodder for great dining table discussion.
The delicious, healthy recipes from the Food and Health section are especially popular with my family.
I look forward to future issues eagerly. As an active participant at many of Bhoomi organized events, I look forward to Bhoomi’s approach, to involve a conscious community network to share wisdom and resources about our ‘Bhoomi’.
Bhoomi network has connected me to many in this field, especially organic producers and suppliers.
Ila Dubey Dhulipala
http://thatsthesecretformula.blogspot.com
Be Realistic
Looking at positive action at the individual level is something many articles in Bhoomi have stressed on. I agree that it may be a good approach to teach children. I also note that many international writers in this Magazine focus on inner consciousness to bring about change (Climate Change Requires a Change in consciousness, Duane Elgin, Oct-Dec 2011)
As a middle aged corporate manager in touch with many others like me, I need to say that much as I like your spirit, a more realistic approach is needed.
At worst, I think many of us believe that only calamities can wake humanity up... so we may have to wait for wars over water and other climate crises. At best, governments and public movements can bring in some changes. Otherwise we are all into business as usual!
K.Karunakarn
Mumbai, India
Role of Technology
I am very impressed with the quality of the articles in Bhoomi - relevant, in-depth, and written by experts.
We need to move toward alternative ways of living, away from the current economic paradigm that is trying to make rabid consumers of all of us. At the same time, we hold dilemmas about where do we draw the line between consumption and limiting our needs - a complex problem involving many dimensions.
I would be happy if Bhoomi looks more critically at the role of technology in our lives today. As a middle-class person, I fully recognize that I am a beneficiary of ‘development’, and it is difficult to give up the technological advancements that corporate power sector has created.
R K Kulkarni
Bangalore, India
A School Principal’s initiatives...
Something needs to be done by each one of us to deal with the ecological crisis we face today. We cannot wait and watch till Governments and the powerful wake up. And this is where ‘Eternal Bhoomi’ comes as a whiff of fresh air. Reading Eternal Bhoomi, we feel serves as a guideline for us at school of Mumbai i.e. Pragnya Bodhini High School – Goregaon.
Every article is an eye-opener and changes our perception towards life and living. Also, our initiatives like ‘Say no to plastics’, ‘Terrace Farming’ ‘Healthy Dabba’ ‘Save water’ and ‘Connecting Classrooms’ – have all been influenced by the various articles published in the magazine. We have learned how to look at our addiction to a high carbon life style and understand how to find an even better life to enjoy and value. On the whole, Bhoomi has helped the school get a clearer vision.
The Bhoomi Magazine has helped us re-examine what is ‘good’ and what is kindness in the light of our relationship with Planet Earth today.
Seema Shaikh
Principal,
Pragnya Bodhini High School
Goregaon, Mumbai
Bhoomi in student camps
Students from schools attend camps at our Environment Resource Centre, and we find the Bhoomi Magazine useful in our sessions with them. The interview stories and articles on agriculture, food and health and economis, all in various ways focused on sustainable living are meaningful to us. Thank you,
G.L.Janardhana
Director, Environmental Study Centre
Santhekadur, Shimoga, Karnataka
Bhoomi in the class room
The article, “Spirit of Cycle Yatra” by Ramawtar Singh in Volume 2 of April- June edition is an eye - opener to the ones who are addicted to modern conveniences. It helps us burn off calories and appreciate nature.
The fondness for ‘sophisticated’ living and excessive use of technology is making us lose touch with Nature. Community projects taken up by schools and other organisations with a focus on sustainability is part of the way forward, and I am glad of the support given by “Eternal Bhoomi” in this direction.
As an educator, I feel that the articles in the magazine are very informative and can be included in the school curriculum without any sort of apprehension. With such a move we can involve the younger generation in various eco-related activities.
There is no point in tokenism - “Everyday is Earth Day”
Aneeta Thomas
Principal
Maithry Vidyanikethan
N.R.I. Layout,
Bangalore -560 016
Does my Junk Food Love Me?
Eternal Bhoomi inspires us. The Spice club in our school uses Bhoomi to prepare projects and research. In our school assembly, students and teachers share messages and ideas from the magazine about the religion of Nature and going ‘green’.
Your film “Does junk food love me” is shown to thousands of children and elders regularly. It is an eye opener for all of us as many are victims of junk food. We are grateful.
Sister Supreeka A.C.
Carmel School, Rourkela, Orissa