Dhoper Chop!

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To “nourish the inner aspect”, Oscar winner Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love) lists “gnocchi with rabbit ragu” and “pink loin of lamb”

in the latest newsletter of her blog “GOOP—nourish the inner aspect”.

Her blog chronicles some of the “memorable meals” to “nourish the inner aspect” as:  “grilled chicken” in Asolo (Italy), “a glazed scallop, oxtail” in Barcelona (Spain), “soufflé” in Paris (France), “quail eggs fried with shredded coconut and palm sugar” in Chaing Mai (Thailand), “fried oysters” in New York (USA), “drinking blood with the Masai in Tanzania”, “eating whale” in Iceland, “grilled lamb chop and braised lamb shoulder” in Oakland (USA), “coils of lamb sausage” in Phoenix (USA), etc.

To “nourish the inner aspect”, Paltrow’s blog lists world restaurants: Cinc Sentits (Barcelona, Spain)—“a divine restaurant”; Rafa’s (Roses, Spain)—“a lesson in humility”; Salumi (Seattle, USA)—“only open for lunch from 11:30 to 3pm, Tuesday through Friday and has 14 seats”;  The French Laundry (Yountville, USA)—where “staff are like mind readers”; L’Oustau de Baumanière (Les Baux de Provence, France)—“three-hour, seven-course meal”; No. 9 Park (Boston, USA)—“food sublime”; Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix, USA)—“where there is always a wait (usually at least an hour)”, etc.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has criticized Paltrow’s blog for mostly being too materialistic and indulging in very mundane things and shallow substances dealing with temporal and external pleasures, and catering to “outer” while claiming to “nourish the inner aspect.” 

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that the idea of foraying into “inner aspect” was wonderful, but he did not comprehend why Paltrow wanted to market a product with an entirely different label. Although the tagline of GOOP is “nourish the inner aspect”, there were not many deep spiritual and philosophical thoughts in it, which were essential part of “nourishing” the inner self. It was very “external”, Zed added. He offered to help Paltrow, if asked.

Ancient Hindu scriptures Upanishads indicated that finite things could not calm an infinite thirst because the delight lied in the infinite. We could not fill the hollowness with outer materials. We should aim at uniting with Self, described as sat-chit-anand (absolute existence, pure consciousness, outright bliss), Rajan Zed pointed out interpreting the scriptures.

GOOP is said to be a name carved from 37-year old Gwyneth Kate Paltrow’s initials, who is also sometimes known as “part yogini”.