A new book by chef and food stylist Sheeba de Souza and integrative lifestyle medicine expert Luke Coutinho is reshaping the way India thinks about food and wellness. Root Leaf Fire is not just another addition to the crowded cookbook market—it is a grounded, practical guide that blends science-backed health principles with intuitive, flavour-driven everyday cooking.

At a time when India faces a sharp rise in lifestyle diseases alongside an overwhelming wellness industry, Root Leaf Fire arrives as a timely intervention. The book rejects restrictive diets, fads, and complicated food systems, instead presenting a refreshing philosophy: food as nourishment, energy, art, and medicine.

Built around three core pillars—Root (foundation), Leaf (daily practice), and Fire (the act of cooking)—the book offers a framework that is both accessible and sustainable. It encourages readers to move away from perfection and toward consistency, pleasure, and mindful eating.

“I’ve always believed that healthy food should feel effortless, not overwhelming,” says de Souza. “This book is about bringing food back to simple, flavour-driven cooking that integrates seamlessly into everyday life.”

Coutinho’s decades of clinical experience in lifestyle medicine complement de Souza’s culinary expertise, creating a unique bridge between scientific insight and sensory enjoyment. The book also expands beyond recipes, touching on gut health, sleep, movement, and emotional well-being—positioning food as the starting point for a broader lifestyle transformation.

The book has already garnered praise from prominent voices, including Twinkle Khanna, who called it “clear and uncomplicated,” as well as Malaika Arora and Shibani Akhtar, who highlighted its honesty, warmth, and heartfelt approach.

With its no-nonsense philosophy and deeply personal touch, Root Leaf Fire stands out as more than a cookbook—it is a call to return to real food, real routines, and a more balanced way of living.