Have you ever timed how long it takes you to get through a meal? Try it as an experiment. You may be shocked. 5 minutes? 10 minutes? 60 minutes? If it takes you an hour to get through a meal (not at a restaurant) than this post may not be for you today. For everyone else that feels a sense of anxiety or urgency that accompanies a text-less, phone-less, distraction-less, slow meal, read on.
In the fascinating book, The Culture Code, cultural anthropologist Clotaire Rapaille, shares the western code for “food” in the U.S. – FUEL. We even say, “I’m full,” when we are at the end of a meal because we unconsciously think of eating as refueling. This is not the case in other areas of the world. In France, the focus of food is PLEASURE and in Japan the preparation and enjoyment of food are a means to approach PERFECTION.
If it’s true that we want to feed our bodies the same way we fill up our cars, we want it quick, convenient, and cheap. If this rings true for you, it’s no wonder you may resent or resist the time it might take to make something for dinner let alone actually sit down and eat it.
We’ve lost connection to the art and heart of preparing food and eating it. We live quickly and eat quickly. Then we wonder why we’re still hungry.
Here are 10 suggestions to bring more heart to your food and yourself to make eating and food prep downright satisfying.
Imagine preparing food for yourself the way you would for a guest or your child. Embody this energy as you prepare food for yourself.
Ask “What would be most nourishing right now?” rather than “What would be the most nutritious thing?”
Place your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and take a deep breath before you eat anything. I promise this will change you.
Use your $ to vote each time you purchase food. What version of the world would you like to support? Knowing that your choices make an impact can bring a deeper connection to the food on your plate as well as they way you eat and prepare it.
When prepping a meal, make enough for a friend, and infuse the food with love. Drop it off at their home.
Practice bringing compassion to any moments you feel are less than perfect with your food choices. Sure it’s easy to bless your homemade lentil patties, but what about the brownies you bake for your kids or co-workers?
When there is no time for cooking, slather almond butter onto an apple with the intention of nourishing even when time feels scarce.
Buy one interesting new item every week or so. I remember doing this with kohlrabi a while back and enjoyed prepping a tangy lentil kohlrabi dish that lasted for days. It was delicious.
Go gourmet with classic staples. Take a sandwich, for example. Get hummus, avocado, greens, roasted red peppers, organic protein. Lightly pan-fry your bread with ghee or coconut oil. Have rosemary infused olive oil on hand or anything else that reminds you that life truly is good.
And please, for the love of all things good, sit and enjoy yourself. Enjoy the bites on the car ride to work if that where you have to get breakfast in.
If you want a healthy, happy body, if you want food to love you more, then bring more love TO your food. Meet halfway. Now, TAKE ACTION: In the comments below, set the intention you have for yourself. In what way would you like to bring more heart and art to your experience with food? What’s one simple act you are willing to commit to? Xo Laura