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© 2026 Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy
Description
Meera & Ashok Vasudevan bring 50+ years of experience as leaders in the Plant-based & Natural Food industry. Their entrepreneurial journey continues with the recent acquisition of 2 heritage brands- Annapurna & Captain Cook
In this timely podcast series titled "Pay the farmer, Not the Pharmacy" they show you how to unleash the magic in your kitchen with evidence-based tips & tricks that improve digestion, enhance gut health, build immunity and provide simple solutions to affordable wellness. Pay the Farmer, Not the pharmacy. Brought to you by CSAW, the Centre for the Spread of Affordable Wellness.
Also, included are other talks, interviews and discussions of Ashok Vasudevan on a range of issues, not only related to food to wellness
60 Episodes
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Share your thoughts We know about vitamins, minerals and all the phytonutrient goodness in them but we worry about lack of protein. Don’t. Edamame, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Spinach, Avocado, Asparagus and even the delectable Potatoes are good examples of proteins in vegetables. Eat the colors of the vegetable rainbow. There is a pot of gold at the end of it! Thanks for tuning in to "Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy"! Hosted by Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Stay Connected #PayTheFarm...
Share your thoughts Collagen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D are each crucial for bone health as we age. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body that forms the scaffolding that gives our body its structure and strength. Calcium homeostasis is an even distribution of Calcium in the bones and is crucial for skeletal health. This process is aided by Phosphorus and Vitamin D that ensures the absorption of Calcium in our body. Vitamin C, amino acids, zinc and Copper are...
Share your thoughts A very small dietary change can make a huge difference to the quality of our lives. Pollen, pets, dust mites and foods are common triggers for skin allergies and/or asthmatic episodes. Sometimes a hyperactive immune system triggers a battle between our antibodies and some foods, creating all the familiar allergy symptoms. Some allergies including eczema are alleviated by avoiding dairy, gluten, peanuts, eggs, honey and highly processed foods. Some of these ar...
Share your thoughts For those who suffer it, migraines are a painful, unexpected & debilitating condition. They are often genetic with no known cure. Common triggers are stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, alcohol, hunger etc. There is not enough evidence that some foods can cure migraines. Results widely vary from person to person. For instance, coffee is known to help some, harm others. So, what is one to do? Find out more at www.csaw.co/blog.php Thanks for tuning in to "Pa...
Share your thoughts The bustling hawker centers, food carts and street stalls are a major source of the wafting aromas of South east Asian cuisine across the region. Deeply influenced by Chinese, Indian and Islamic culinary traditions, Malaysian food is both a melting pot and a distinctive mosaic with a cornucopia of colors, tastes and flavors. In turn, Malaysia has lent its influence to the uniquely Peraaaa nakan cuisine of Singapore. Also known as Nyonya, it is a blend of Chinese, Ma...
Share your thoughts S.E Asia’s 11 countries with 650 million people and $10 trillion in GDP is a rich confluence of cultures. Despite colonization by the British, French, Dutch and the Spanish; it is the Chinese and Indian heritage that runs deep in its art, culture, ethnicity cuisine and traditions. Yet each country has retained a distinct cuisine that brings to the surface the richness of local flavors with the influence of Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu culinary traditions. Join us tod...
Share your thoughts The Incas, Mayans, ancient Chinese, Indians, Mediterraneans had long ago figured out that “we are what we eat”, and correspondingly built up a staggering knowledge of plants, nutrition and their impact on our wellness. In many ways scientists today are still playing catch up as they point out goodness of chemicals & molecules in foods through “analysis”, “evidence-based science” and “observation”. This newsletter is committed to providing you evidence-base...
Share your thoughts Studies have proven beyond doubt that the Mediterranean diet reduces risks of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer and even lowers the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. Wow! When we think of the expression “Kitchen Pharmacy” it is difficult to find a better example. The Mediterranean Diet though, is more than just about food. It’s a way of life. People there eat better and live healthier lives than almost anywhere on the planet. Let’s look a...
Share your thoughts It is impractical to count the daily calories we eat. So, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 2000 to 2500 calories/day is largely anecdotal. Also, it is crucial where these calories come from: simple carbs or complex carbs, plant or animal proteins, saturated or unsaturated fats. And computing this is equally hard. So, the effective regimen is to start from our everyday baseline and make incremental changes to both quantity and quality of calories in our food. Even ...
Share your thoughts When we think of herbs and spices the one word that jumps out is versatility. Its colorful, fragrant, medicinal, umami and finds its way in flavored and infused waters and in your balconies as more than just ornamental plants. Dyes, foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fragrances and toothpastes- you can run from spices, but you can’t hide! Join us as we discover some of the spice & herb remedies. Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19 Thanks for tuning in...
Share your thoughts It’s today self-evident but scientists are still piling evidence upon meta-studies and more research upon research on the dangers of processed meats and it’s link to cancer. It's a bit reminiscent of the tobacco industry in the 60s and 70s. There have been congressional hearings & WHO proclamations to try and steer the world towards a healthier diet and environmentally friendly plant-based foods. Only 8% of the world population is vegetarian but these numbers are skyro...
Share your thoughts We all grew up on milk and know its calcium, vitamin, mineral rich & contains the sugar, Lactose. But today almost 2/3rd of the human population have difficulty digesting lactose. That’s one of the triggers for Veganism which is, deep rooted, spreading and indubitably healthier for the planet and the people. Plant based dairy can often substitute the goodness in milk while skipping lactose. Soy, Almond & Cashew are good sources of dairy and a treasure trove of nutr...
Share your thoughts When we think of Vitamin C, let's imagine vegetables, not supplements. It (Ascorbic acid) is arguably the most familiar of all vitamins. Just a tiny amount daily, this antioxidant, apart from building immunity & fighting infections also helps form bone cartilage, blood vessels & muscles. Green peppers, potato, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and lemon are all Vitamin C rich vegetables. Vitamin C also helps absorb & store iron. The next time you have iro...
Share your thoughts We each have our favorite herb (Thyme, basil, cilantro) & spice (Turmeric, Pepper, or clove) that we like to somehow blend into our foods. But the trick is to use many of them together. They are synergistic in their effects. For instance, a little pepper with Turmeric better releases the magical curcumin. Dozens of spice nutrients are released into our bodies in the presence of other herbs and spices. So, go ahead & create your own spice blend. Thanks for tuning ...
Share your thoughts A sad desk sandwich. Fast food grabbed between meetings. Or worse—skipping lunch entirely and crashing by 3pm. For working people everywhere, lunch is where good intentions meet brutal schedules. Convenience wins, balance loses. In Part 3 of "The Balanced Plate" series, Ashok and Meera tackle the midday meal—the one that determines whether your afternoon is productive or a fog of fatigue and cravings. The secret? A little planning goes a long way. This episode covers: why ...
Share your thoughts Cereal and milk. Toast and jam. A muffin with your coffee. For most of the Western world, breakfast is where the balanced plate goes to die—75% carbs, minimal protein, vegetables nowhere in sight. But here's the thing: your body just spent eight hours in rest mode with stable blood sugar. Why spike it first thing in the morning? In Part 2 of "The Balanced Plate" series, Ashok and Meera tackle the most unbalanced meal of the day. We explore why the typical Western breakfast...
Share your thoughts The food pyramid. The inverted pyramid. Michelle Obama's MyPlate. Low-fat, then low-carb, then keto, now carnivore. American nutrition guidelines have kept us spinning for decades—a new shape every few years. But what if the answer isn't another US framework, but one from Singapore? In this first episode of "The Balanced Plate" series, Ashok and Meera introduce Singapore's "My Healthy Plate" approach—also known as Quarter Quarter Half. One quarter wholegrains. One quarter ...
Share your thoughts This is the 4th and the final episode in the inflammation cycle: stress hijacks your cravings, wrecks your sleep, and pushes you toward quick fixes that make everything worse. Now it's time for the exit. In Part 4 of "Break the Inflammation Cycle," Ashok and Meera break down anti-inflammatory eating—not as a restrictive diet, but as a direction. It's not about perfection. It's about adding the foods that calm your system and crowding out the ones that don't. This epi...
Share your thoughts You're stressed. You're exhausted. You know you need to eat "healthy." So, you reach for a protein bar, a shake, maybe some beef jerky. It feels virtuous. But is it actually helping—or just a different kind of overcorrection? In Part 3 of "Break the Inflammation Cycle," Ashok and Meera tackle the protein obsession that's taken over grocery aisles and gym bags alike. We're not anti-protein—protein is essential. But somewhere between "eat enough protein" and "protein everyth...
Share your thoughts You survived the stressful day. You ate okay. But now it's 2 AM and you're staring at the ceiling, brain running laps. In Part 2 of "Break the Inflammation Cycle," Ashok and Meera explore the stress-sleep connection—and why a bad night sets you up for a worse tomorrow. When cortisol stays elevated, it blocks melatonin production. No melatonin, no quality sleep. And here's the kicker: poor sleep spikes your hunger hormones and tanks your satiety signals. So that exhausted v...
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