This is the final installment in this Gratitude Series.
The first was Gratitude and Happiness, the second was Gratitude and Sleep and this week we take a peek at Gratitude and Food.
(Trigger Alert)
What if you're MAD at your food,
or yourself,
or you feel guilty,
or demonize certain foods?
Yup, I’ve been there, done that.
It's no secret that the sum of what we eat is called our diet.
Diet = habitual nourishment.
Really? But…
Do any of these other associations resonate with you?
it's connected to your outward appearance
it's connected to judgement around social trends and norms
it's often a plan or guide with relatively short term goals
it can reset a healthy lifestyle
All can be true, BUT let's fix the disconnect between our diet and actually eating to nourish ourselves.
Why should you care about this?
~Because you only have one body and you need to keep it running well.
~Because it's time to get off the emotional food roller coaster.
~Because without gratitude you tend to eat mindlessly.
When you eat mindlessly, you tend to OVEREAT, and even put DIRTY FUEL into your 'tank'.
SO, try this now, today, for your next meal...
Food Gratitude
It can be hard to feel gratitude for food when most of the time we take it for granted.
BUT, think about the many steps it takes to get that food to you, you know, from seed to table! -Hard not to feel gratitude when we pause to remind ourselves of that.
The most 'dialed in' way to activate food gratitude is to slow down and pay attention. Remind yourself of this when you plan your meals, when you shop or order your food, when you prepare it and of course when you sit down to eat.
How to get started?
Choose one or more of these easy-peasy Gratitude Activators to nurture your relationship with you food and your diet. They're a great way to reconnect with your best, vital, awesome self.
Slow down!
Cook mindfully-use your senses to notice what you're doing.
Get colourful-colour is not only nourishing but keeps us interested.
Mindfully Eat-chew your food, let your mouth start digestion, really taste the flavour layers.
Show gratitude for your foods' journey-the soil, the rain, the farmer, the market the delivery driver, the cashier, the cook... your hands...
Grow your food-nothing beats nurturing a plant that 'gifts' you with nourishment.
Ask yourself, "Does it nourish me? Am I growing stronger and thriving?"