Nutritional inequities: Ayurvedic approaches to help close the gap

Health inequities have long plagued communities of color, but we can work together to raise awareness and also take better care of ourselves. With a $10 refundable ticket, you will get a cooking class, tips about better nutrition and how Ayurvedic cooking can help you and communities end inequities.

Your $10 will be refunded after you attend the event. No shows will NOT get a refund.

The first 20 people who register will be entered into a raffle for a gift card.

How can holistic eating and living address societal health inequities? What are some of the inequities and how can they be approached through mindfulness, wellness and Ayurvedic cooking? This gathering will offer a well rounded approach to eating well and having a nutritionally and mindful, balanced life. Led by AAJA member and cookbook author Nandita Godbole, chapter members will be introduced to or improve their knowledge of Ayurvedic cooking.

• Nandita Godbole, cookbook author and AAJA member (Atlanta & LA)
• Robert Schueller, Director of Marketing, Melissa's World Variety Produce, Vernon, CA
• TBD, Nutritionist, Melissa's World Variety Produce, Vernon, CA

Suggested attire: SoCal business casual :)

The event is hosted by the Asian American Journalist Association in Los Angeles and funded by California Endowment.

10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: People arrive and check in. While children are welcome to this event, adult supervision is expected at all times.

10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.: Taking control of one's wellness starts with developing better eating habits and can be achieved through identifying easy dietary shifts that have a long lasting impact on our wellbeing. Ayurvedic cooking is an ancient holistic practice that encourages being intune with our health, and following a diet that suits our individual needs. The workshop will include hands-on activities such as recognizing the importance of breath-work, with some practice breathing and meditation sessions and a fun activity on identifying one's dosha - applicable for adults over the age of 18. Dosha does not mean "fault", but refers to our overall and individual constitution - a balance of wind, fire, water and earth elements within our bodies. Nandita will also speak about the connections between seasonal eating and dosha balance, and ways to determine how to identify our dosha - using a standard worksheet.

10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.: A presentation from Melissa's Produce - lead by Robert, who will share how Melissa's Produce prides itself in celebrating seasonal produce from across California and the world. He will share with the audience trends of what is to come, in regards to the most popular produce (based on national data) and much more.

BREAK TO USE RESTROOM, WASH HANDS

11:40 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Participants will break off into three groups, separated by their individual dosha, and prepare one quick dish each that aligns best with their dosha-group.

12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Lets EAT! Some ready-to-eat food will be available for intermediate snacking. Fruit platters and some mains sponsored by Melissa's World Variety Produce.

Event wraps up by 1.30, with a half hour for clean-up and any lingering Q&A with any speakers.

Host or Publisher AAJA-LA