Dear Devotees around the world,
Please accept our humble dandavat pranams.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
We would like to introduce a seva project, hoping that you will be able to take part in some way, shape or form. We are embarking on publishing a cookbook!
Why a cookbook?
What do we all love doing and can celebrate and share daily?
Honoring Prasadam!
Many people would like to cook meals but are uncertain of all the wonderful (vegetarian) choices they can make. These books will help people to a kinder and more loving kitchen.
After coming into this Krishna conscious path, we can all understand why this is called the kitchen religion and the Hare Krishna’s number one selling point. The Prasadam is sublime! But why is it so good?
With all the devotion that goes into the shopping, preparation, cooking and offering to Krishna, we are bound to have a wonderful experience. The outcome of these rituals is that all meals become soul nourishing and taste better after being made with love and offered to Krishna.
patram pushpam phalam toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahritam, asnami prayatatmanah
TRANSLATION - If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. (Bhagavad-gita As It Is 9.26)
These cookbooks will include history/explanation of ingredients, beautiful images and (video) links to see the method in action.
We have a few ideas that could include titles like these:
- The Bhakti Yoga Diet – cooking for enlightenment
- Cooking to serve – Bhakti Yoga in the kitchen
- World Food – international recipes
- Ekadasi Cooking – the essential guide
- Cooking with a Monk – what would the monk do?
- The Kind Kid’s Kitchen
Actually the list will go on and on as we have many ideas for cookbooks.
Roles: Content:
We are currently in the beginning phase and developing a project time line therefore any sharing or inspiration is welcome. We will be putting together seva roles, content, ideas etc, that will need your expertise and talents to make it happen. We would, therefore, like to call out to those who will be happy to be part of this project. This is what we believe is needed:
Anyone who helps with this book will receive credit and benefits 
Happy cooking!
Please contact Bhanumati dd at brittjanssen@gmail.com
Haribol!
Wonderful idea. I suggest “Karma-free Cooking” as a title. This way, you can attract a mainstream audience (for example, those who are generally looking for vegetarian, Indian, healthy, ethical, environmental, or animal-friendly cookbooks) as well as a Vaishnava/Hindu audience. Karma is a word that everyone knows. The title suggestions you have given are attracting one group or the other.
In any case, that is my suggestion. I’m looking forward to the book coming out!
I come back to this thread time and again, because this project is something I’m excited to see the results of (the topics that enters my heart is Gurudeva’s favorite meals and ekadasi recipes). It seems like it will be several books, and I just love it. I will order these books the moment they become available.
If you have any news on progress, please inform us as I think this project hits home for many people.
Haribol!
Dandavats. Can´t wait to see those cook books! It would be great if a one of the cook books of the series was into the healthy diet, because a lot of the cooking that is done for Krsna can be a little heavy on the fats, sugars, carbs, chilli. etc. I am sure a lot of the same recipes can be done with less oil, less sugar, etc. Perhaps principles of Ayurveda could be added in that collection. I know a few devotees into health and ayurveda so the knowledge is already in the sanga.
Also, it would be great if there could be some vegan recipes for those of us who are concerned with animal welfare and cruelty towards cows in the diary industry. I know there are vegan devotees in the sanga that know how to make amazing things for Krsna!
Finally, maybe a baking book? I used to bake but when I became a devotee I just didn’t know what to do without the eggs. I know many devotees who bake vegetarian/vegan cakes, and perhaps they can share their secrets.
haribol, thank you.
Hare Krishna Mohinidasi,
Thank you for your kind suggestions and encouragement. Do you have any recipes that you would like to submit? Or could you connect with some of the devotees you spoke of who may want to contribute toward the cookbook?
Please email me at the above email address at the end of the post.
I will look forward to any more feedback or content.
Radhe Radhe,
Bhanumati dd
I’ll write you on a private message. Radhe Radhe!
A few thoughts on cookbook titles to appeal to a wider audience:
Delicious Nutrition – The Happy Soul Cookbook
Happy Soul Food
Radha s Kitchen ( Recipes ) – The Absolutely Delicious Cookbook
Enough now !
Hare Krishna
your servant Ananda Vardhana dasa
Haribol Ananda Vardhana dasa,
These are good ideas for titles. Since we hope to continue with a whole line of cookbooks, we will take into consideration what you have posted.
Please keep your suggestions coming as we have are constantly looking for more creative minds to help us
Hare Krishna,
Yas, Bhanumati dd
Hare Krishna Bhanumati didi Dandavats to you and Raghava Pandit prabhu.. Another wonderful project. ! Any idea when the new cookbook will be ready.? I love cooking for Krishna and am always keen to try new recipes. Jaya Srila Gurudeva!! May I ask what were some of his favorite recipes ???
Radhe Radhe
Your servant
Ananda Vardhana dasa
Haribol and many pranams….. hopefully the full colour book will be ready some time in June, while we try to get a smaller version (Higher taste like) out by Gaur Purnima. Also we aspire to launch a website alongside the theme of the book that should incorporate recipes, as well as interviews with devotees about cooking, Vedic stories around the topic of prasadam, etc etc historical background of recipes, spices etc…..
ys
Raghava
Sounds ecstatic prabhu. Any decision yet on the title of the book(s) ? Once again I am amazed at how many projects you are involved in ! Do you ever take rest prabhu ???
Radhe Radhe your servant ananda Vardhana dasa
nothing finalized as of now …. will try to rest some time in the future…, but for now we’re having too much fun!
What I was really asking prabhuji was do you ever sleep like us ordinary mortals ???
May I ask the source(s) of the recipes for the new book ?
Radhe Radhe
your servant
Ananda Vardhana dasa
unfortunately I am asleep most of the time
Haribol Ananda Vardhana dasa,
Please email me (see my address at the end of this post) your email address.
I will email you several recipes so that you can try them and give feedback. You can be a recipe tester
We are still looking for Srila Gurudev’s favorites.
Anyone reading this please email me.
Radhe Radhe
Jai Srila Gurudev!
Yas,
Bhanumati dd
Seem like it is nice to start from begining, from anna-maya platform. Cook book will help with it very much. I hope in some years to come some prana-maya books will also appear. Maybe, in very far future, nex century or more books on the level of mana-maya will come into light.
Regarding myself, I am a bit pesimistic about such a books. From the time when I stopped following bona fide vaisnava cook books my health improved radically.. But for new people to make some sukrti there is no harm
Since long I was thinking of writing a DAILY DIET for devotees to keep their health and the daily activities balanced so that the devotees can concentrate on their bhajan. I am preparing back ground work and planning to post by next year mid.
Very oftenly I am seeing devotees they are falling sick and complaining that they are not able to practice their sadhana properly or attend mangala arati etc.
After seeing this project I was thinking why don’t add that in separate section in this book itself.
PLEASE FIND THE QUOTES BELOW FROM:
Body should be kept cleaned and repaired, because without health you can’t do bhajan. Not more than that, don’t get attached.
( By Srila Gurudev)
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAINTAINING ONE’S BHAJAN & SEVA from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Take Care of your Health His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have no sufficient warm cloth, so you are affected by the cold. You must arrange for warm clothes. You must take care of your health. yuktähära-vihärasya yogo bhavati duùkha-hä. In the Bhagavad-gétä it is said that you should take food just to maintain your health nicely. Similarly, other necessities of the body must be taken care of. If you become diseased, then how can you execute Krishna consciousness? Just like this devotee could not go out today. So we must be careful. We should not eat more or less. Better eat less than eat more. You’ll not die by eating less, but you may die by eating more. (Lecture, Los Angeles, 29 April 1973.)
Sanatan Goswami’s body was all covered with wet itches. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was embracing him and the wetness was sticking to the Lord’s body. Sanatan Goswami felt very ashamed, “I am suffering from itches, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is embracing me, and the wetness is smearing all over his all over his body. How unfortunate I am!” So he decided, “Tomorrow I shall commit suicide instead of allowing myself to be embraced by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.” The next day, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inquired, “You have decided to commit suicide. Do you think this body is yours?” Sanatan Goswami was silent. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, “You have already dedicated this body to me. How you can kill it?” From that day, the itches were cured.
Those who are Krishna conscious, who are working for Krishna, they should not think that the body belongs to themselves. It is already dedicated to Krishna. It must be kept very carefully, without any neglect. Just like you are taking care of the temple because it is Krishna’s place, similarly you should also take care of the body. We should not overly care for it, but some care we should take so that we may not fall ill. (Lecture, Los Angeles, 29 April 1973.)
Hari bol Vasudevadas,
Your daily diet sounds great. Please email me at the above email address at the end of the posting to discuss your ideas and expertise further.
Jai Srila Gurudeva Jai Prabhupad!
Haribol dear Bhanu,
I would love to contribute by writing something about the ayurvedic perspective on food, you know that is my passion! I would also love to try ou recipes, and add some.
Just let me know what you need.
Love, Radhe Radhe.
Indurekha didi
Hare Krishna Indhurekha didi,
We are very happy to see your wish to contribute. Yes, please email me content on ayurvedic perspectives, recipes, suggestions etc. How wonderful to share your expertise.
Jai Srila Gurudeva!
Dear didi, such a nice project ! I tend 2 b vegan because I have difficulties with dairies… Wheat also is not so good for me, so I very often invent recipies. I use rice semolina to make halava and cream of coconut instead of butter. I am kind of addicted 2 sugar, sweets in general, so 4 the sweet taste I use dry fruits…. I read that if the 6 tastes are present in one’s nutrition, many diseases could be avoided. Congratulation for this so good idea of a nice cookbook. We have now so many informations about how to be healthy and vegetarian, plus, as you said, prasadam is a wonderful and strong link with the bhakti realm, Gaura premanande, Haribolo, jaya Gurudeva4ever
Hare Krishna Narayani,
Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. If you would like to contribute some of your inventive recipes, please do. Email me at my above address.
Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!
love the idea, I want to be a recipe tester!
I can take photographs as well. The ekadasi recipes is also a great idea because sometimes you don’t know what to prepare besides potatos. I think maybe a little section explaining how to offer food to krisna and why do we do this would be useful for those who don’t know much. I would love to help with the project, in any way I can.
hari bol!!!
Hari bol Anumpama,
Very happy to see your reply and yes we will appreciate your contributions. Please write me at my email address above.
I can´t wait to have this book on my hands!
The book should come with a cd with 108 diferent harekrsna mahamantra soft tunes to listen while cooking the recipes!
Great idea prabhu ji…., for kirtan we have registered bhaktitunes.com which will also launch in the near future…… any ideas and suggestions are always very welcome…
ys
Raghava
What a great idea – I am a new devotee and am trying hard to learn this new way of cooking (I have always been an enthusiastic cook in different styles – 30 years or so) so would humbly suggest a guide for people like me to cover the basics with some relatively quick recipes as Haridasi has already said – and perhaps something with information on the observances relating to prasadam for people like me who live in areas without regular contact with other devotees.
If you need recipe testers I would love to help!
Hare Krsna!
Hari bol Jaya Lalita!
Indeed we would like to share the joy of devotional cooking, explanations and history. We would be very happy for you to help in anyway you feel. Please write me with more of your story, suggestions and how you would like to help at: brittjanssen@gmail.com
Hare Krishna!
Dandavats and Pranams Bhanumati didi,
I love the idea of making a Bhakti Yoga cook books. I am an excellent chef my self and I am also an Ayuvedic Practitioner. If we could do two things when we make these cook books it would increase its appeal and target market the entire Yoga audience more effectively.
The first thing is to put the nutrition information for each recipe, Calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, etc. Secondly in ancient times and still today meals are cooked in the ancient temples according to Ayurvedic principles of the season of the year, and the spices and vegetables, and grains are used according to those principles. I would love to participate by offering to do some of this work of getting nutrition information and Ayurvedic information into the recipes. Maybe we could make an Ayurveda and Bhakti Yoga Cook Book? I do Ayruveda and Bhakti Yoga seminars and they are very successful and well attended.
My email is there and we can talk about compensation and author recognition etc later. Please let me know if yo would like me to participate with you in this project.
Your servant
Bhagavat Swami
Hare Krishna Maharaja,
Yes, your expertise will be greatly appreciated. We look forward to you sharing your vast knowledge. Please write more of your offerings and suggestions to: brittjanssen@gmail.com
Jai Srila Gurudeva!
Let’s make a Youtube series accompanying the book(s),
something like, Hi, I’m Das das and I’ve been cooking offerings for Krishna 23 years.
(It’s been a lotta fun I can tell you) Anyway, today let’s make some halava…..
The teacher could say words like suci / muci; sattvic / rajasic / tamasic; and refer to separate youtube vids where someone explains all that.
Hari bol Subal Krishna,
We have similar ideas about a YouTube series and or channel that we may connect with the book or at least one of the books. Please submit more of your ideas to my email: brittjanssen@gmail.com
Looking forward to you sharing your 23 years of cooking experience.
Radhe Radhe!
Dandavat pranams to all!
Good idea of a cooking book! I would strongly recommend a TV show where BV Tridandi Maharja and Jagadbandhu have participated in Holland. please find the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/msyamuna#p/u/9/XeGY8qq7PAQ
If you find some fragments of the film useful, I can share the film materail with you. Just give me a shout!
Radhe Radhe!
your servant, Yamuna dd
Hari bol Yamunaji,
Yes, we have seen this video. These are good examples we of how we may link videos to the book. Please email me at: brittjanssen@gmail.com with other suggestions and ways you may like to participate.
Radhe Radhe!
Dandavat pranams!
This is a wonderful idea, especially to write Gurudeva’s favorite meals.
If I could make one suggestion to deliberate upon;
Many of the krishna recipes are either time consuming or contains spices or vegetables I have never heard of and might not be able to get hold of.
Please make recipes that are easy to cook and with easy ingredients.
Hare Krishna Haridasi,
Great suggestion. We will incorporate all levels of recipes
Thank you for your feedback. If you have any easy ones you would like to share, please email me, Bhanumati dd at: brittjanssen@gmail.com
Great idea. I have been cooking for a while, have many recipes from different regions of the world. If you need recipes let me know. Hari Hari
Hare Krishna Sulocana dd,
Yes, we would love you to share your recipes!
Please email me, Bhanumati dd at: brittjanssen@gmail.com
Would love to be a part of this wonderful project!
I think you are already …
Hare Krishna Anupama dasi
Very excited to work on this project with you too!
Please email me how you would like to participate at: brittjanssen@gmail.com
if you allow me to be part of this project I have few baking recipes and also I know how to bake. Baking for 30 years
Hari bol Ramananda Raya das,
We would be honored to share your 30 years of baking expertise in this project.
Please contact me directly, Bhanumati dd at: brittjanssen@gmail.com