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© 2025 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
51 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 🌞 Episode 2 of Seasonal Healing Rhythms is here! Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they explore "Summer Foods: Nature's Air Conditioning System" - how Asian and tropical cultures mastered internal cooling through food science, long before electricity existed. Why Summer Foods Cool You Down: Traditional medicine systems from Ayurveda to Traditional Chinese Medicine classified foods by their thermal properties. These aren't just theories - modern science validates how ...
Share your thoughts Welcome to our new series: Seasonal Healing Rhythms! Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they explore how eating with nature's calendar provides exactly what your body needs, when it needs it. First up: "Spring Awakening: Nature's Green Reset Button!" Why Spring Makes You Crave Greens: Ever notice how you naturally want lighter, fresher foods as winter ends? Your body isn't being random - it's seeking the bitter, green medicines that support your liver after months of ...
Share your thoughts 🧩 The great fat puzzle solved! Why inflammation runs wild in modern bodies. Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they crack "The Omega Mystery" - how the delicate balance of essential fats in our diet got completely flipped over the past century. The Great Imbalance: A century ago, our omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was a healthy 4:1. Today it's a staggering 20:1! This dramatic shift toward inflammatory fats while omega-3s disappeared from our plates is connected to widesprea...
Share your thoughts 🌾 The great fiber mystery solved! Where did all the digestive magic go? Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they uncover "The Fiber Vanishing Act" - how our great-grandmothers effortlessly got 35-50 grams of fiber daily while we struggle to reach 15 grams today. The Great Disappearance: When grains got "refined," we stripped away 80% of their fiber. White flour, white rice, and fruit juices removed the very thing that kept our ancestors' digestive systems humming perfe...
Share your thoughts 🌱 Your food isn't what your grandmother ate - and now we know why! Join hosts Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they uncover "The Vitamin Vanishing Act" - how modern agriculture traded nutrition for productivity, and what you can do about it in your own kitchen. What Happened: Over the past 70 years, many fruits and vegetables have lost significant amounts of key nutrients. The focus on fast-growing, high-yielding, good looking, travel ready varieties during the Green Rev...
Share your thoughts 🕵️♀️🕵️♂️ Join detective duo Meera and Ashok Vasudevan as they investigate "The Liquid Gold Heist" - how the world's most precious traditional oils were systematically stolen from our kitchens and replaced with industrial counterfeits! From Mediterranean olive groves to Indian village presses, traditional oils worth their weight in gold were replaced by chemically extracted impostors. Discover how margarine (one molecule away from plastic!) convinced doctors it was health...
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