For some of you, that title sounds cheesy and you are already saying good bye to yours truely. I know. I hear you. Stores and internet are already trying to sell you the motivation line for your mug, your phone case, your wall and your tshirts. But really is that so dramatic ? Yes and no.
Have you noticed that if you buy anything in a supermarket, they sell you the whole story of the product? I mean now eating and cooking turns into a reading of 20 minutes if you want to know where the milk comes from, even the name of the cow, or who are these dogs on the pack of your puppy food. I agree traceability is relevant, but why turn everything into a life story? I know, I know, they want us to connect with emotions, with human & animal stories. Because they know emotions is what makes us buy this product and not its neighbor. But I feel now it’s way too much.
What I want when I eat is peace.
So what can we do to get that peace while eating that piece -pun intended- of a fair-trade cultivated by XYZ in Guatemala organic black chocolate?
We have to eat and drink with awareness. And by this I mean start by HONORING the people and nature which have worked together to bring food in your kitchen. I don’t mean you have to join any religious modus operandi, you are human and you can do it on your own. First step would be for example to close your eyes and try to imagine the journey of all this food in your plate before it landed in your plate. From your heart, really acknowledge the wonders of nature and human creativity which intervened along the journey. You can say out loud or in silent : thank you, farmer; thank you, soil. Thank you rain and sunshine. Thank you young lady who helped me chose the most exquisite tomato at the farm market. And so on… Don’t forget yourself if you cooked the meal! And then proceed and start eating or drinking. Enjoy.
And if you really want to spice it, well, folks, once you start eating or sipping a cup of tea, continue: close your eyes. Connect to your sensations. Connect to taste. Connect to breath. Connect to sounds around you. Connect to what eating really is: nourishing. Nourishing your body but also and foremost nourishing your soul.
I know, I know. You may begin to think how the heck am I supposed to do that in my crazy life? Well I’m not going to lie to you, it takes courage. But you have to grasp this too:
Nutrition is not only about food; it’s about everything that surrounds you.
From your home to your plate, you are nourishing your body and spirit with infinite particles of stress, joy, love and anger, and you may also be in the daily process of numbing yourself. HOW? Coming back to the labels on the products that prevent you from just being present and mindful of your eating. Mentioning the eating in front of Netflix which I call a syndrom: The flixeating syndrom. Which is not flexible at all. It is sticky. Because… SHOCKER: Your brain doesn’t process food if you’re watching your favorite show while eating. Nor when you are listening to a podcast. Your brain needs you to simply eat when you eat. How revolutionary. Just eat when you eat.
And yes your future self will thank you for it. To nourish your body, mind and spirit takes guts these days. It’s saying no to podcast, netflix, tv and even audio books. I know. I have been there. But trust me on this, you will appreciate food and eat less. So when you think about your summer body, don’t rush towards a new diet. Simply suppress numbness. Just eat. And you will soon discover the absolute bliss of mindful eating which is a lot more efficient than suppressing your favorite pasta on the menu.
Blissipline your life & create your well-being with me. Reach out!
