Dont just chew.

Design information

In this zine, I explore the sensory and cultural significance of the traditional Indian practice of sitting cross-legged and eating with one’s hands—a practice deeply rooted in Ayurvedic principles yet increasingly overlooked in today's fast-paced, media-driven world. This project, required to focus on a tradition specific to India, was inspired by personal reflection, having grown up in a household where my great-grandparents upheld these practices, despite my initial tendency to dismiss them as inconvenient.

Through this zine, I sought to contrast modern eating habits, often marked by distraction and disconnection, with the mindfulness and sensory engagement fostered by eating in a more deliberate and intimate manner. In an era dominated by technology, where "iPad kids" are more engaged with screens than with their meals, I aimed to highlight the importance of being present during the act of eating—paying attention to the textures, sensations, and details of each bite. By encouraging this mindful approach, I hoped to inspire a deeper appreciation for food as both sustenance and a ritual that connects us to ourselves and to the world around us.

While the benefits of eating with one's hands and sitting mindfully are deeply rooted in Ayurvedic teachings and chakra alignment, I deliberately kept the zine’s design simple, focusing on the reality and sensory experience often missed in contemporary eating habits. Combining narrative storytelling with illustration, this zine invites readers to reconsider how we experience food, subtly encouraging reflection on what we lose when we rush through meals, detached from the present moment.