Becoming Plant Based

How to Eat Light During Heavy Times

The other night, I found myself in the kitchen, seeking solace amid the noise and chaos of the world. With quiet resolve, I began crafting a meal: pan-steamed black rice with sweet potato, onion, pepper, and arugula, seasoned delicately with cumin, sea salt, onion powder, and garlic powder (see photo images). 

As the aroma filled my space, I felt a wave of peace. As I watched the ingredients meld together into something nourishing, I realized how restorative the act of cooking can be, especially during these anxiety-ridden times.

This humble dish was more than just dinner, it  was an act of rebellion against the heaviness of the moment, a celebration of life’s simple pleasures. And as I sat down to eat, I reflected on the wisdom embedded in food—a wisdom echoed by the late Anthony Bourdain, who famously said, “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” Perhaps, I thought, you also learn a lot about yourself when you make food that nourishes not just your body but your spirit.

The Philosophy of Eating Light

In challenging times, we often seek heavy, indulgent foods for comfort. Yet, adopting a plant-based lifestyle—one rooted in light, vibrant, and restorative meals—offers not just physical nourishment but a sense of clarity and lightness in being. 

Epicurus, the ancient philosopher who preached the pursuit of simple pleasures, would have smiled at the idea of a well-prepared meal being a path to happiness. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not,” he said—a reminder that true satisfaction can be found in the simplicity of wholesome, plant-based eating.

Why Plant-Based?

Eating plant-based during heavy times is not about deprivation. Instead, it’s about embracing abundance—the abundance of colors, flavors, textures, and nutrients that nature provides. It’s about connecting with the earth and choosing to live lightly, both on your body and on the planet. My culinary experiment reminded me that creating a plant-based meal is not just about the food itself—it’s a ritual of self-care, a practice of mindfulness, and, at its core, an act of love.

Five Pieces of Advice for Creating a Plant-Based Lifestyle

If you’re ready to explore the lightness of a plant-based lifestyle, here are five ways to get started:

🌱 Start Small, Stay Curious

Transitioning doesn’t mean overhauling your diet overnight. Start with one plant-based meal a day and allow your curiosity to guide you. Experiment with unfamiliar grains, legumes, and spices—like I did with black rice and cumin.

🌱 Focus on What You Can Add, Not Subtract

Instead of focusing on eliminating animal products, think about what you can add: vibrant greens, roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, and hearty whole grains. Build your plate around the abundance that plants offer.

🌱 Look at Cooking as a Form of Meditation

Cooking can be a grounding practice. Lose yourself in the process—chopping, stirring, seasoning—and let it become a moment of mindfulness in your day. As Anthony Bourdain often reminded us, cooking is a way to connect in a healthy way to the world around us.

🌱 Plan, But Allow for Spontaneity

Having a basic meal plan can make plant-based eating easier, but don’t be afraid to improvise with what you have on hand. Some of the best meals come from creativity and experimentation.

🌱 Prioritize Flavor

A plant-based meal doesn’t have to be bland. Stock your kitchen with spices, fresh herbs, and condiments that elevate simple ingredients. Seasoning transforms humble vegetables into something extraordinary.

🌱 Finding Resilience in Food

As I scraped the last grain of black rice from my bowl, I felt renewed. In that quiet moment, I understood the power of eating light during heavy times—not just as a dietary choice, but as a philosophy for life. 

As an added bonus, my fellow Substacker and friend

Kert Lenseigne 🌱

added his thoughts in a Notes response to this article:

“As I’ve gone deeper into my own plant-based, vegan lifestyle, I’m understood more fully the sacred act that cooking and eating actually is. As consumers, if we are mindful at the moments of selecting ingredients, cooking, and eating, we know we’ve benefitted from countless other beings for that offering.”

He continues….

“Our lives, in turn, should be of benefit to others through the alchemy that is the transformation of the metabolizing energy from the foods we eat, to our own benevolent actions out in the world of form. When we eat a plant-based meal, we have eased some of the world’s pain and suffering by not allowing the pain and suffering of the beings that died to enter into our body. It’s a vibrational energy that can be felt—I’ve felt it.”

In the end, a plant-based lifestyle offers more than health benefits; it teaches us resilience, creativity, and gratitude. And in a world that often feels out of control, it reminds us of one beautiful truth: we can always find peace in the simple act of nourishing ourselves.

So, the next time the world feels overwhelming, step into the kitchen. Create something colorful, vibrant, and alive. Let your food reflect the life you want to live: light, abundant, and full of flavor.

---

I invite you to subscribe today as a member supporter. Or I’d be grateful if you’d tip me some coffeehouse love here. Your contributions are appreciated! 

Every bit counts as I strive to deliver high quality feature articles into your inbox on a daily basis. Never any paywalls, just my raw thoughts that are open to everyone on what it means to be human.