Before the Holiday Season, my friend Alice wants to make a special offering in her Yoga classes at St. Klara Monastery in Stans.

We decide on "Feel, Taste and Discover" as our Theme: One hour of Energetic, Harmonious Yoga followed by a pampering of taste buds with fresh, organic and made-with-love Indian delicacies.

I've narrowed down the Menu to: Besan Cheela, Samosa, 2 Chutneys (Tomato-Ginger and Coconut), Mango Lassi and Masala Chai.

It's 7AM. Our guests Cindy and family are still sleeping as Lukas & I get started in the kitchen. I silently give thanks to the food as I start preparing the items. Since i believe in Sattvic food (freshly prepared and easily digestible), it takes more time than i had estimated. Danke schön Lukas for helping me out by making the Besan Cheelas. Couldn't have done it without your help!!

At the Monastery, Alice's calm voice guiding her students through the different poses of Yoga, wafts over me as I'm setting up the table with the food. The class ends and each student takes in a deep breath as they walk out of the studio.. and exclaim about the exquisite and appetizing aroma. "It's a feast for the eyes too" One of them tells me.

We wait till everyone comes out & then i explain about Indian Food Traditions, the snacks we're going to sample today and about Ayurvedic Diet. We take a minute to Acknowledge and Thank the Food before we dig into it... Soon there's Silence -- all the excited chatter a minute before is gone.. I hear the Church bell ringing in 11AM. "They must really love the food", i say to myself. And they sure do - they take in 2nd and 3rd helpings.. Glad i cooked and brought more. Something i learnt from my Mother -- she always cooked more than was needed.

A true Annapoorna (Giver of Food)...