Ayurveda Series – Cooking with Prana

Welcome back! We’re thrilled that you’ve decided to join us as we dive into our third blog in Pilar’s discovering Ayurveda series – Cooking with Prana.

Just to jog your memory, Pilar has been devotedly studying and exploring the ancient science of Ayurveda. In our first blog of the series, we learned that Ayurveda is the ancient science of life.

In the second blog, we explored Ayurveda’s most dynamic principle – Agni, and how to master our sacred flame within.

Having built this solid foundation within the first two blogs, we’re already seeing why Pilar has fallen in love with Ayurveda and how we can apply its ancient teachings to our lives.

But do not worry – the journey is far from over! Read along as Pilar guides us through one of her favorite facets of Ayurveda… food!

Not a Chore, But a Central Pillar of Healing

I can definitely say my love for food and cooking is in my DNA — something passed down through generations, and one of the aspects of my family heritage that I treasure the most.

One of my earliest and most cherished memories is of watching my grandmother in the kitchen. She moved with care and reverence, as though every stir, sprinkle, and simmer was part of a sacred ritual.

Her food always tasted nourishing and full of love. She never shared her “secret ingredients,” but I’m convinced that the most powerful one was her attention.

She cooked with presence, joy, and love — and that made all the difference.

Food is Prana

In Ayurveda, cooking is not just a chore — it’s a central pillar of health and healing.

Food is Prana, or life-force. There’s nothing mystical about this, keep reading.

Food is what sustains us. That’s a fact, right?

It nourishes every part of our physical body — but in Ayurveda, the role of food goes deeper. Food also carries energy, and the way it’s grown, prepared, and consumed affects not only our bodies but also our minds and spirits.

When I first began integrating Ayurvedic principles into my kitchen, it felt like more work. But like anything worth doing, it became easier over time. Eventually, I found a rhythm and flow that suited my lifestyle.

Now, cooking and eating in this way feels second nature — and going back to the old ways is simply not appealing. Once you experience how good it feels to cook and eat fresh, vibrant, prana-rich meals, it’s hard to un-know that feeling.

Nourishing, Nutritious, and Sustaining Food at Bodhi Surf + Yoga

Our team at Bodhi Surf + Yoga understands the importance of ensuring that our guests aren’t just well fed, but that they’re provided with nourishing meals that give them energy and strength for their week of surfing + yoga.

We’re not just serving you breakfast – we’re fueling you up for the day. And we don’t just mean physically. Remember, a fresh, hearty, intentional meal does wonders for our heart, mind, and spirits.

The extra time and care you invest in your food pays you back tenfold. Because in truth, you’re investing in your health and in the health of those you feed – and we feed a lot of people here.

Digestion is Everything

One of the core tenets of Ayurveda is that digestion (Agni) is the root of all health. If digestion is strong and balanced, we can extract nourishment from our food and eliminate waste efficiently.

But when digestion is weak or imbalanced, toxins (ama) accumulate, leading to discomfort, imbalance, and eventually disease.

Weak digestion can stem from many things: overeating, improper food combinations, eating at the wrong times, or consuming overly processed or stale food. It might sound overwhelming at first, but Ayurveda is less about rigid rules and more about learning to listen to your body.

Ayurveda doesn’t ask, “What can you eat?” It asks, “What can you digest?” And that answer will vary from person to person, depending on your constitution (dosha), age, environment, season, and more.

Ultimately, the Ayurvedic approach encourages us to eat:

• Fresh
• Seasonal
• Local
• Simple
• Made with love

It’s not a one-size-fits-all diet. It’s a conscious way of relating to food, your body, and nature.

Costa Rican Cuisine for the Win!

One of the many reasons that Costa Rican cuisine is so healthy and delicious is because it typically comprises all of these elements.

Here, we only really eat what’s in season – because that’s what’s available in the grocery store/markets.

In Costa Rica food is something that brings people and families together. It’s purpose isn’t just to fill you up – it’s a form of showing love and endearment. And you really can taste it when someone has devoted time, attention, and love to the meal they’ve prepared for you.

Here at Bodhi Surf + Yoga, whenever guests ask for the recipe of something that we’ve served them, our chefs ALWAYS add ‘amor’ to the list of ingredients that they used in the food.

Speaking of sharing delicious and healthy recipes… download our online cookbook to access all of our favorites!

Simple Ayurvedic Cooking Principles

Here are a few simple Ayurvedic tips you can start incorporating right away to enhance digestion, increase prana, and bring more joy to your meals:

1. Cook with Love and Presence

This might be the most important tip of all. When you cook with love, the food carries that energy.

Slow down. Take a few deep breaths. Feel gratitude. Be present. Food prepared with care and good intention nourishes on every level.

2. Use Healing Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are the heart of Ayurvedic cooking. Each one has its own “dravya,” or medicinal property, and they work in synergy to balance the doshas and support digestion.

A few easy ways to use them:

• Spice up your morning oatmeal:
  Add cinnamon to stabilize blood sugar, cardamom to reduce heaviness and uplift the mood, and a pinch of dry ginger to stimulate digestion.
• If you prefer a savory breakfast:
  Scramble your eggs or sauté veggies with turmeric (anti-inflammatory) and black pepper (enhances turmeric absorption). Add herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme for flavor and digestive support.
• For better digestion:
  Incorporate more cumin. I love adding it to rice for a gentle, fragrant taste. You can also heat a little oil, toss in whole cumin seeds, let them sizzle and pop, and then sauté your veggies or lentils in that base. It smells divine and warms the digestive fire.
• Make herb-based sauces and chutneys:
  Use cilantro to cool and detoxify, especially helpful in warmer seasons. Basil is great for summer digestion too. Blend herbs with lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt for a vibrant, fresh condiment.

Note: While all herbs and spices have healing qualities, it’s important to use them mindfully. Don’t overdo hot spices like cayenne or mustard seed if you’re prone to heat or inflammation.

3. Prefer Local and Seasonal Ingredients

Nature gives us what we need when we need it. Eating what’s in season keeps our bodies in sync with the rhythms of the environment. Locally grown food also retains more prana, and supports your community and planet.

4. Soak Nuts, Grains, and Legumes

Soaking makes these foods easier to digest and helps remove anti-nutrients. This small step can make a big difference in how your body absorbs nutrients and prana.

5. Leave the Water in the Food

Avoid drying out your meals. Soupy, moist, or oily preparations are easier to digest and hydrate the body, especially for dry or cold constitutions (Vata types).

6. Plan Ahead (Just a Little)

A bit of planning — like soaking beans the night before or prepping spices in advance, can save you time and reduce stress. Over time, these habits become effortless.

The Bottom Line

Cooking with prana is not about perfection or complexity. It’s about presence, care, and connection — to yourself, your food, and the people you’re feeding. When you cook with awareness and love, every meal becomes a form of nourishment, healing, and joy.

Remember, cooking isn’t supposed to be a chore. You don’t have to make it the most spiritual ritual ever, but you SHOULD at least allow it to be a mindful experience. Just lend it some love and attention – you’ll taste and feel the difference.

What you feed yourself is what fuels you. If you put bad fuel in the car, it’ll run far less efficiently.

Cooking with Prana is just one way of taking care of your mind, soul, and overall wellbeing. We happen to be strong believers that surfing and yoga are other activities that contribute massively to these things. In fact, we know they do – we’ve seen how over the course of our surf + yoga vacations people begin to transform into their healthiest optimal selves.

And while we’re on the topic of food – our home of Uvita just happens to have some of the most delicious and hearty food we’ve tasted in Costa Rica.

That’s all for now – check back in soon for part 4 of our Ayurveda series!