Posted on November 12, 2011
Around this time of year, this time of pumpkin hunting and turkey serving and family and lights and sweets galore, we hear the word gratitude quite a bit. And so, we would like to speak about something else, a close relative to that of gratitude: mindfulness. Well, specifically, mindful eating.
Often, we eat mindlessly. We cram food into our mouths while working on the computer, watching television, standing up in the kitchen, sitting in the car, and maybe, even some of us do so while lying in bed (yikes). With these reckless and very common eating habits, we loose something sacred, we loose pleasure. The pleasure of eating lies in slowing down and fully experiencing all of the elements of food. Take some time to explore each of the following during your next meal and notice the difference: Sight, Smell, Touch, Taste, Texture, Breath, Silence. Do you feel like you are back in an elementary school science class? Good! All of these avenues of exploration, will draw you back into being present with yourself and eating experience. It may even lead you to be so present that you let go of the stresses of your day. It may even lead you to realize that your body needs more or less of a particular food in order to feel nourished. And, who knows, it may even lead you to feeling gratitude for the innate wisdom of your body's digestive system and the glorious food that energizes it.
As you sit down this holiday season with your food, while surrounding yourself by the warmth or awkwardness of your family and friends, take a moment to be not only mindful of your meal, but also mindful of the power and beauty of sharing nourishment with those whom you love, for this shared kindred connection is more nourishing than anything you could ever find on a plate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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