It’s a familiar moment…
You’re standing in the kitchen, hungry and tired, with exactly 12 minutes before your next responsibility begins. You open the fridge, close it again, and reach for what’s easy, even if it doesn’t make you feel great.
If you’re like most of us, you know what it’s like to run on empty, mentally, emotionally, and nutritionally.
That’s why we’re doing something different at The Pursuit Counseling in Fayetteville, GA.
Join our therapist, Sathiya, in our kitchen for a hands-on cooking and wellness workshop that brings together the science of therapy, the wisdom of Ayurveda, and the joy of food.
Why Food Matters For Mental Health
In therapy, we often talk about thoughts, feelings, and coping tools.
But underneath all that is your body, and what you put in it.
In Eastern philosophy, your body is seen as the first layer of healing, what’s called the Annamaya Kosha. When this physical layer is nourished with real food, everything else tends to fall into better rhythm: your energy, your mood, your focus, your emotions.
This is what we’re exploring in our kitchen.
Not a crash diet. Not a trend.
Just real food that supports your whole self, and a space to experience what it feels like.
What We’ll Be Making & Why It Helps
Each of these recipes was selected by Sathiya for its digestive support, emotional regulation benefits, and cultural roots. You don’t need to be a chef to make them, just a little curious.
Beetroot Pachadi
A gut-friendly dish with cooling spices and calming energy
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated beetroot
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup fresh grated coconut
- ¾ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 green chili
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
- ½ cup smooth whisked curd (yogurt)
For Tempering:
- ½ tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 dried red chilies
- Handful of curry leaves
Preparation:
- Cook beetroot with water and salt for 10 mins, covered.
- Blend coconut, mustard, cumin, green chili, and ginger into a smooth paste.
- Stir the paste into the cooked beetroot; simmer on low for 7 mins.
- Remove from heat, stir in yogurt.
- In a small pan, temper mustard seeds, chilies, and curry leaves in coconut oil, then pour over the beet mixture.
- Stir gently and serve warm with rice.
Ragi Porridge
Simple, grounding, and perfect for stressed-out mornings
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp ragi (finger millet) flour
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups buttermilk
- Pinch of salt
Preparation:
- Whisk ragi flour with a bit of water until smooth.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Stir in ragi paste; cook 5 mins, stirring to avoid lumps.
- Cool slightly, then stir in buttermilk and salt.
- Serve warm or room temperature.
This recipe is rich in fiber, iron, and minerals. It stabilizes blood sugar and soothes digestion, which means more energy and better mood regulation.
Besan Chilla (Savory Pancake)
Protein-rich, comforting, and surprisingly quick
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- Salt to taste
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ tsp chili powder or paprika
- Water (enough to make batter)
- Oil for cooking
Preparation:
- Mix besan, salt, onion, and chili powder in a bowl.
- Gradually add water, whisking into a smooth, pourable batter.
- Heat a lightly oiled pan; pour batter to form a thin circle.
- Cook both sides until golden brown.
- Serve warm with chutney or pickle.
This recipe uses great plant-based protein, naturally gluten-free, and gentle on the stomach, which is helpful for brain fog and burnout recovery.
Peanut-Sesame Protein Laddoos
Snackable, nourishing, and sweetened naturally
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
- ½ cup lightly toasted sesame seeds
- ¾ cup jaggery powder
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
Preparation:
- Blend peanuts and sesame into a coarse powder.
- Add jaggery and cardamom; pulse until sticky.
- Roll into small balls while warm.
- Store in an airtight jar.
This recipe is packed with healthy fats and magnesium. It is great for managing stress and giving your brain a break from the sugar crashes.
Buttermilk Cocktail
A chilled, spiced drink to cool the body and mind
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chilled buttermilk
- 1 tsp finely grated ginger
- ¼ tsp freshly crushed pepper
- Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
- Pinch of asafoetida (hing)
Preparation:
- Whisk buttermilk with ginger until frothy.
- Add pepper, salt, and hing.
- Stir and serve cold.
This recipe is cooling, grounding, and fantastic for gut-brain balance. Ayurveda calls this a post-meal digestive peacekeeper.
Why We’re Doing This & Why It’s Different
Therapy is powerful, but healing doesn’t just happen in your head.
This is a chance to explore your nervous system, your habits, your relationship with food, and your culture, all through the lens of curiosity and care.
You’ll cook together. You’ll talk. You’ll eat.
You’ll leave not just full, but nourished.
Come Stir The Pot With Us
If you’ve been:
- Feeling off
- Emotionally tired
- Struggling to take care of yourself
- Curious about how food might help
- Wanting to feel more grounded without starting a new diet
…this is for you.
You don’t have to be in therapy to join.
You just have to be ready to nourish yourself — body, mind, and spirit.
We’d love to cook with you.
Want to chat more about the mind and body connection to healing?
Book your free 15-minute consultation call with Sathiya today!
