30 days of giving - Day #19: Mindful Eating
When I was a child we alwasy said grace before eating a meal. I knew that it was to bless the food and bless our bodies before receiving the nutrition; however, I dind't really understand, or appreciate, the nourishment in the food at the time.
As I got older, and life got busier, I no longer blessed my food with grace and I often ate on the run. Having to clue what I was eating or how much I was eating most of the time. This lead to overeating too much of the wrong foods. Untill I learned the concept of mindful eating.
This concept was first introduced to me by one of my coaches who suggested that I take the time to prepare delicious meals more often so that I could feel, smell, and see the food; make it a full on experience and get more connected to my food. This worked!
As I began to get more creative with my recipes I started to enjoy my food more. I wanted to savor every bite. Now, with the delicious food I eat, I notice I am able to be mindful more often. The flavors of the fresh food are too good to waste with eating too fast.
To get the most out of your food, digest and absorb your food efficiently it is important to understand the concept of mindful eating.
What is mindful eating?
- Eating with the intention that you are nourishing and caring for your body
- Paying attention, being fully present and focused on what you are eating so that you can recognize the feedback your body is sending you, such as feelings of getting full or a food that is not making your body feel well
- Recognizing if you are actually hungry or perhaps just thristy, tired or have feelings of emotion that you are wanting to avoid
- Choosing food that will nourish your body and give you enjoyment and pleasure.
- Eating for optimal satisfaction and satiety
- Using the fuel you’ve consumed to live the vibrant life you crave
There is so much more to mindful eating that just slowing down. Nourishing our body is also about feeding it with more than just food.
What are other forms of nourishment?
- Breath. We can only live about three minutes without taking a breath. Breath, or respiration, is the life force of all living things.
- Water. After about three days of no water we will perish. Our body is made up of over 75% water and it is imperative that we have fresh, clean water to support healthy body function.
- Whole food. A human body can survive for many weeks without food; however, without whole food nutrition the body will not run at an optimal level. It is important to fuel the body with fresh, whole food nutrients so support healthy body function.
- Sleep. For optimal health and wellness it is recommended that we get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. When we sleep it gives the body a chance to repair and recover form the day and clear out excess hormones and other toxins.
- Meditation. Centering and connecting with yourself, and the Divine, and allowing yourself to have some relaxation time is key to your self-development, growth and happiness. The more you meditate the more you will realize your passion and purpose.
- Social life & relationships. Humans are social creatures. It is important for us to have connections with others for our health a survival. It has been shown that babies can die without love and support after birth. Therefore, it is important to cultivate healthy, supportive and postive relationships with others.
To explore these types of nourishment in greater detail click here to watch my Learn It Live presentation on Real Food! Real Results.
