For a few months now, I have been following the Rujuta Diwekar way of life. I won't bother explaining just what this way of life really is because she's already written quite a few books for the benefit of interested folks.
A lot of changes have been made to how we eat, what we eat and how often. A lot of changes are also being made to how to work out and why. Somehow, this is making our lives more wholesome and fulfilling because we are learning to care for our bodies the way it must be cared for: with common sense.
Rujuta has been speaking about respecting local and seasonal produce in our choices and food for a while now. To the extent possible, I have made these changes and been found that they work. One little product, however, that she kept talking about and that I found toughest to acquire? Indigenous cow ghee - pure, with a tint of yellow, hand churned, extracted from the yogurt of cow's milk - and not one of those Jersey cows, fed on genetically mutated corn-soy feeds and made to produce excess amounts of milk by being pumped with hormones - but an Indian cow who has been bred naturally, fed grass and treated kindly.
How do you ensure getting something like that? I found an answer when my mum went for a Naturopathy treatment over a year ago. The ashram she stayed in had several desi cows and a stud bull - each cow was adopted by a family that lives on the ashram - they would feed it with grass, hay and a mixture of several natural, whole grains that were mixed with seeds and mustard oil - and then shaped into laddoos. The cows ate this during every full moon and had come to expect it - which also means they knew when the full moon was approaching and would moo in anticipation until the laddoos arrived. The lactating mothers first got to feed their calves and then, the milkman would approach only those cows who were willing to be milked. This milk would then be collected, cream collected, yogurt set and then churned to extract the butter, which would then be clarified into pure ghee.
Naturally, this ghee was super expensive. 1200 bucks for 1 litre and there would be a waiting list - so you would have to order it in advance and then in a month or so, it'd arrive. Also, it had a limited shelf life - which isn't a problem. I live on ghee and a half litre bottle doesn't go beyond a month & a half between the two of us.
Then I stumbled upon http://vediccowproducts.com/ - which is where I bought my very first bottle of pure desi cow ghee - although they are not certified organic, they assured me that their product is as natural as possible and safe. Reiterating that just because something says it is organic, does not mean it is healthy, the people at VCP said they want to ensure that the tradition of original Indian produce stays alive with them.
I also got a bottle of honey - I keep honey for those off times when I need to mix some Ayurvedic medicine with it. Also, honey is a great hair conditioner so that is where I use up most of my honey too. It's a refreshing change to see a thick, deep and full bodied honey after so many years of seeing antibiotic ridden, diluted, amber honey. I am super happy with my purchase.
The VCP guys ship globally - they are located in Mumbai. They accept wire transfers as payments as of now. They also have a host of other products on their website that I intend to try out the next time I place an order.
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