Deepak Chopra comes to UCSD

Chef Marian & Deepok Chopra
Chef Marian & Deepak Chopra

Deepak Chopra is now partnering with UCSD on several projects. So smart of him to incorporate a community right at his doorstep! (He has a location in La Jolla that presents classes and treatments).

Last nights’ event brought together some of the greatest minds we have working on changing consciousness and our world, along with those of us who just wanted to sit in and listen.

Deepak started off by mentioning that if all insects would die, the planet would die within 5 years. But if all humans die, the planet would flourish within 5 years. That had the audience laughing for sure.

Good point? We are killing our environment.

He talked about the ‘stuff’ of our universe… what it’s made up of in his efforts to explain where thoughts and imagination come from. His conclusion? A collective consciousness, a universe outside ourselves that we pull ‘answers’ from.

My favorite part of the evening?  Well I guess I had TWO favorites….

First, as always…. it was about the food for me!

Soup
Soup

How’s that for an idea of presenting soup?  ——>       I can also see desserts on that ‘riser’… but still …. we enjoyed healthy heirloom tomatoes with a basil chiffonade, a carrot ginger soup with a drizzle of creme fraiche, among others (avocado and cucumber).

We always talk about food being our best medicine… but how about best stimulation too?

Just look at these veggies. Makes you want to eat them yes?

Seduction by Color
Seduction by Color

YES CHEF MARIAN! THEY LOOK GOOD!

Well, not only did they taste good? They looked good. The carrots were actually par-boiled…. to have less of a bite. Good idea.

And you can take these ideas and use ’em at your next bbq. Why not? Lay out a beautiful tray and present them exactly how you see here. It’s great to make a statement! And then just provide dipping sauces and let people serve themselves!

Now this was really the first time I’ve been to an event that keeps me on my program of eating! lol And while it was good and looked good, I always wonder about the flavor. And that’s the problem with most people serving a vegan meal. I mean, I know they could have used roasted garlic in the humus or roasted red peppers to bump up the flavor…. and a balsamic vinegar glaze on some of the veggies for a flavor boost… no?  (Not to complain. Just to educate).

We’re now pounding our forks and knives down screaming ‘We Want Flavor’! lol

If you are one of my vegan foodies…. just try some of the things I tell you. Then make your own decision. My goal is to put a smile on that face of yours and some satisfaction on your taste buds!

I would like to be Vegan 90% of the time, because I know that’s the right thing to do for my body. But here’s the rub: I don’t know about you, but the thing I have noticed about eating Vegan is: within hours I’m hungry again. Kinda like Chinese Food! lol

I always wondered why my daughters boyfriend ‘feasts’…. when he eats. I’m now thinking that’s because he knows he really needs to fill up to stay filled. Smart guy.

And as always, my thoughts are a ‘work in progress’. So if you have an idea about this, send me a quick email. It just may help me!

Now for my second favorite thing about the evening: To listen to Deepak talk about food being your best medicine. Isn’t that what I have been talking about for years now?

YES CHEF! YOU MUST HAVE LOVED THAT!

Yes. I really did.

And because it’s Deepak, you know it didn’t stop there. To sit in a room with someone saying that and telling me that statistically 38% of the people in hospitals actually acquire illness from being there….? Yep. Amazing huh?

And taking it one step further? He commented that Yoga is better for congestive heart than beta blockers! We knew that… didn’t we, my fellow foodies? I mean, after he said it, we knew that was true…. right?

YES CHEF MARIAN. WE KNEW THAT.

So there you have it! The Mighty Chopra has spoken. Well worth the time. And congrats to the people at UCSD who put the event on. It was seamless! Flawless!

Deepak’s got a new book out called “Super Brain’ talking about all this plus love generating peptides in your brain. (I think he might love you to buy it)! lol You know that people say his books have changed their lives? (Worth a read, for sure).

Contrary to what many people think at my age, Love is good. I know that for sure… and looking forward to trying that experience one more time!

Happy Eating,

Chef Marian