ROCIO GRAVES
“Going to bed and waking with the sun — shifting my sleeping times to match the rhythm of nature has been the biggest change I’ve made. It wasn’t easy at first, but with willingness and discipline I’ve been able to create a new routine that is deeply nourishing and rejuvenating. After experiment and observing, I have found that being in bed before 10pm (right before the energy of Pitta begins) as opposed to 10:30 or 11pm, has a significant impact on how I feel when I rise in the morning.”
Rocio Graves is a creator of beauty. She is a food alchemist, activist, food photographer and home gardener — growing a variety of local foods on her family’s land. She is passionate about food as medicine, living in tune with the rhythms of nature and tending the soil. She shares her delicious food alchemy at her own bespoke small gatherings, at exclusive happenings and as a personal chef. She also creates recipes which she photographs and shares as visual content regularly for online and print publications, brands and for her community on Instagram.
LINKS:
Website: Rocio Graves (for any questions, personal chef enquiries and newsletter sign-ups)
Instagram: @rociosgraves
Latest project: The Ones, a plant-based recipe collection + practices and rituals for calming the nervous system and relaxing the body in preparation for cooking and eating — in line with Ayurvedic principles, writings and musings on caring for your kitchen as an altar, and more
“There is a subtle feeling of “home” with Ayurveda — even the smell of the herbs I take and apply on my body have that scent of homecoming.”
When did you discover Ayurveda? How long have you been practising it? What drew you to it?
I don’t recall the details of how I discovered Ayurveda, though I was fascinated by the Ayurvedic treatments offered at local spas, like Shirodhara and Abhyanga. As a late teenager I wanted to leave high school and study Ayurvedic massage in the south of India — I went to see a practitioner local to me with my mom to talk about this interest of mine. He encouraged me to follow my passion and do it! Life guided me in a different direction and, instead, I ended up living on a farm up north of India near Dehra Dun, where I learnt about regenerative farming and seed saving and met local farmers. It was a project called Navdanya, run by the scholar, environmental activist, and food sovereignty advocate Vandana Shiva.
It wasn’t until many years later that, after being diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid imbalance, that a friend encouraged me to find support through Ayurveda — I embarked on a journey to India again where I did a Panchakarma in Kerala. It still took another ten years for me to come in contact with my teacher Dylan Smith and implement the teachings in my daily life. There is a subtle feeling of “home” with Ayurveda — even the smell of the herbs I take and apply on my body have that scent of homecoming.
Has it helped you with anything major?
Yes, through implementing the daily routine, meditation twice a day and taking the herbs prescribed by Dylan, I am healing from a serious burnout and very weak nervous system, as well as balancing my thyroid. I have not taken synthetic hormones/allopathic medicine for over a year and feel so much better.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
It has become a part of my daily flow, yes. I have found the truth of what works for me and I can’t ignore that truth anymore. When I stray away from this truth and don’t take care of myself following these principles my wellbeing is affected quite quickly.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Going to bed and waking with the sun — shifting my sleeping times to match the rhythm of nature has been the biggest change I’ve made. It wasn’t easy at first, but with willingness and discipline I’ve been able to create a new routine that is deeply nourishing and rejuvenating. After experiment and observing, I have found that being in bed before 10pm (right before the energy of Pitta begins) as opposed to 10:30 or 11pm, has a significant impact on how I feel when I rise in the morning.
To eat only when hungry and avoid snacking, this alone has improved my digestion so much! Not having dinner if I’m not hungry or something light like a soup, and going to bed with an empty stomach. Profound! To not overcomplicate cooking — eat seasonally and locally as much as possible. Simple is best.
Abhyanga daily! Oiling my skin every morning, sun on my skin followed by a cold shower makes for the most grounding routine. The quality of my skin has improved drastically from this practice! I use sesame oil infused in medicated herbs — also prescribed by Dylan. You can purchase them through his website!
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Ohhh, how to chose only one! I’ll have to go with fresh cardamom… I love to use the beautiful fragrant dark seeds in my morning hot drink blended into a frothy tonic with hot water, a dash of coconut milk, Ashwaganda, Shatavari, a pinch of turmeric, black pepper and some dates.
Do people around you/in your circle of friends know about Ayurveda?
Yes! either through their own interest and exploration or because I rave about it all the time!! I like to carry a small jar of oil in my bag and share with friends when we go for a swim in the sea. I also always carry a thermos with a hot herbal infusion that I love to share with loved ones.
What’s the one thing you would encourage everyone to try or you think would benefit the majority of people’s health for the better?
Go to bed early! Rise with the sun. Watch the sunrise and sunset every day. Dylan once shared that when his guru Dr Raju visited Europe to see patients, he concluded that the biggest cause of disease in western society is that we are awake when we should be sleeping! This change in routine can have a profoundly supportive domino effect on one’s wellbeing. I have experienced it first hand. Take your health into your own hands. You deserve to feel great.