Kareem Arthur: Healing The Mind With Cooking

Kareem Arthur is a self taught chef and writer based in South London with a sensitive art and heart. Her roots lie in Barbados and Sierra Leone. It is refreshing to talk to her about her love of cooking and about her chosen recipe in the newly launched e-book, Mamma Makes - Recipes & Stories From Multi-Cultural Britain.
 
This book has over 55 recipes contributed by chefs and home cooks belonging to minority communities, which were cooked originally by the chefs mothers and the grandmothers.

Kareem's recipe in the book is Bajan Salt Fishcakes which are one of her favorite snacks to eat when she visits Barbados.
 
“I didn’t eat much Bajan food while growing up in the UK, but when I look back on my visits to Barbados, the native food excites me so much! The salt fish cakes, flying fish and macaroni pie flash to mind immediately.”
 
Kareem likes to travel and at the moment is really enjoying connecting with her roots through the food she eats and cooks.
“It’s empowering and exciting and I love keeping that side of me alive through my cooking.”

Kareem notes that cooking for her is like meditation and has a very calming effect on her mind. “I have suffered from a fair bit of depression and anxiety since 2015. Cooking has really helped me keep my anxiety at bay. When I think about it now; since I was a child cooking was something that always had a very positive effect on my life; cooking has always been a constant in my life and made me happy,” she says.
 
“I've always found that for me the process of cooking is as important as the final result, if not more so. I always try to enjoy the process without worrying too much about the final outcome. I find, doing this means I am completely present and get the most out of the activity.” It is clear that Kareem strongly believes in the healing ability of cooking and that it is a really positive thing that many can benefit from.

She has rarely cooked in professional kitchens and is totally self taught. Working in that sort of regimen is not her scene, but she loves cooking at home and showing others how cooking can be exciting and enjoyable which she does through her project, The Healing Table - a safe space for women to cook, share and eat.
 
“I cook because it makes me feel good. It is how I look after myself and keep myself calm. As technology has invaded all areas of our lives, I find the more we use our hands and senses for things such as baking bread, making jam or learning new methods of cooking, we might find that it helps us to relax and it is important to create that space to make time for ourselves.”
Cooking is meditation and a calming aid for Kareem, and I am sure after experimenting with her recipes, her followers too will feel the same energy and vibes. For Kareem right now she is on a journey of experiencing new flavors, learning new things and rediscovering her roots.
 
We at The C Word wish her all the best on her journey!

Find Kareem on Instagram, or check out her blog for more foodie inspiration and great content (not just food related!). You can also find out more about Kareem’s project, The Healing Table here.