8 Healthy Things I Learned in Thailand

Despite visiting during the “monsoon season,” also known as the rainy season, I only encountered a minimal amount of rain, and it typically occurred in the evenings. The abundance of stunning beaches and lush green scenery was so breathtaking that I found myself pinching myself multiple times. It was truly amazing!

As soon as you step off the plane in Bangkok, you’ll be greeted by the warmest and most welcoming Thai smiles. This friendly gesture, often accompanied by a slight bow, will instantly make you feel welcome. The Thai people are renowned for their affable nature, which is why Thailand is often referred to as the Land of Smiles. While it’s true that Thai people may not always be in a good mood, they do their best to greet you with a smile. To me, this is a powerful metaphor for maintaining a positive outlook and brightening someone else’s day. A simple smile can instantly shift a conversation to a more positive tone, even if you’re about to voice a complaint or receive criticism. Responding with a friendly face can improve your day and the day of those around you, making it a win-win situation.

What’s great about Thai cooking is that their methods are relatively quick and simple, with a lot of boiling, sauteing, steaming, and high heat stir-frying. I took a vegan Thai cooking class and it was such a blast. I was introduced to new ingredients that I wasn’t familiar with, like taro, black sticky rice, galangal root, lotus root, and Thai chilies. I even got to make a beautiful green curry with coconut milk, onions, and fruits that turned out to be my favorite. For dessert, we made black sticky rice with coconut cream and salt, as well as a mango pudding that was simply amazing.

Although I love what I do, my work never seems to end and I’ve come to realize that it’s not always healthy. I’ve been dedicating all my time and energy to The Green Creator and hardly taking any time offline. It’s easy to forget the importance of taking a break. Recently, however, I’ve been feeling more relaxed and happy. As a result, I’ve decided to take at least one day off per week with limited emailing and social media. Instead, I plan to spend my time reading books, cooking, enjoying a cup of tea and going for a walk.  I want to recapture the immense gratitude I felt while waking up every morning to the sound of singing birds and the view of the sea.

To me, intense gratitude is synonymous with happiness. I vividly remember one evening before sunset when I went for a swim at the beach. The beach was almost empty, palm trees were adorned with Christmas lights, and candlelit tables were set up for dinner. As I swam, the sunset behind me was breathtaking. The sea was warm and inviting, and it felt like I was floating on a giant, cozy bed. Around me, small groups of tiny fish were jumping in and out of the water. In that moment, I felt like I was living in a dream. I remember thinking that I didn’t know what I had done to deserve being there, and that it felt like heaven.

Koh Samui has had an incredible impact on me, surpassing anything I could have done at home. The experiences, fresh air, beach, food, and especially the delicious fruits like mangoes have left me feeling rejuvenated and full of creativity, positivity, and energy.

I’ve noticed that Thai cuisine doesn’t incorporate much fat, which has been a revelation for me. They seem to use fat from healthy sources like coconut milk, nuts, and certain seeds or oils in moderation. Although, like any cuisine, there are some junk food or fried options, Thai cuisine tends to rely on fresh ingredients and employs ingenious quick-cooking methods.

As a soup enthusiast, I was delighted to discover that I could enjoy delicious vegetable soup every morning, just like the locals do! The soups were truly remarkable, and I plan to attempt making them at home. However, after a few days, I switched back to having fruits for breakfast as it felt like the better option. The tropical fruits in Thailand were fantastic, and I savored them, particularly mangoes, as much as I could!

Naturally, I had to satisfy my curiosity and try durian, which was on my food bucket list. This fruit is native to Asia, has an unmistakably pungent odor, and is a source of fascination for both durian lovers and durian haters.

When passing by markets, the distinct aroma of fresh durian, a spiky green fruit the size of a large football, is impossible to miss. The smell is a combination of onion, garlic, vomit, cheese, and sweat. The creamy, mushy, and soft flesh of the fruit is intense in flavor.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like either the fresh or dried version of durian. Perhaps I’ll enjoy the frozen version?