A Simple Celebration: A Vegetarian Cookbook for Body, Mind and Spirit

Eating is not just eating for the authors, who are disciples of Deepak Chopra (who contributes a foreword) and devotees of Ayurvedic health care. Bragg, chef for the Chopra Center for Well Being in La Jolla, Calif., and Simon, director of clinical programs for the Center, maintain that we are not only what we eat but also the thoughts that go into what we eat. Their book of more than 140 recipes explores the ""spiritual"" and ""mindful"" aspects of cooking. There is a test to understand your body type (or ""dosha"") and information pertaining to the proper foods and spices required to keep each body type in healthy balance. Each recipe lists the main tastes (there are six major tastes to choose from) and offers a recommendation of the quantity to be consumed based upon body type. The recipes have a strong Indian influence, but plenty of other cuisines are represented, too. Warm Wild Rice Salad offers a different combination that includes dried blueberries, fennel and avocado; also likely to be universally appealing are the herb-filled Vegetable Strudel and Orange Almond Rice. Recipes for breads (Foccacia; Ginger-Molasses Muffins), condiments (Paneer Cheese; Mango Chutney) and breakfast foods (Hot Bulgur Breakfast Cereal; Plain Muesli) are included. Even those not interested in the Ayurvedic justifications proffered here will find attractive fare. A glossary, suggested readings and a Balance of Tastes chart are included. First serial to New Woman magazine. (Mar.)