A recent conference entitled Toward a Science of Consciousness brought a diverse group of researchers and scholars to Tucson to explore human consciousness as one of science's last great frontiers.

Among them was Deepak Chopra, a physician known for the 64 books he’s authored and for his controversial focus on alternative medicine and spirituality.

He says his work explores the relationships between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. He's less well known for his views on how food nourishes the body and soul--or his cookbooks.

Chopra joined Ken Harvey, executive chef at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, to discuss the special meal designed for the conference feast in this Arizona Illustrated interview.

Chopra says the vivid colors of the items on Harvey’s menu indicate they are rich in phytochemicals, beneficial chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants.

“You can identify the seven colors of the rainbow,” says Chopra. “These phytochemicals are the healthiest micronutrients on planet Earth, because they directly capture the energy of the sun and transform it into a specific micronutrient.”

Contact the author, Luis Carrión

[Health] [University]