Mindfulness has become, recently (ish), a big topic in both the world of self care and business. I say “ish” because for some people, it’s been a practice to be mindful for more than just a few years.
There are multiple definitions for mindfulness. For my purposes today, I’ll think of it as the process of paying attention to the present moment, without thinking about what is past, and without worrying about what is next.
At several recent mindfulness gatherings, we discussed the topic of mindful eating. In Thich Nhat Han’s HOW TO EAT, the author brings together multiple tips on paying attention to what we eat, slowing down, savoring the food, and eating without distraction.
When I think of mindful eating, I think about paying attention to the moment, and knowing what I’m eating, and being present with my meal instead of rushing through. And, naturally, in the fast-paced world we live in, that last bit is easier said than done. I started trying to focus on the taste and texture of what I am eating or drinking. (Honestly, it’s quite hard to do that with a sip of coffee!) It is possible, also, to go all the way into considering what went into that bite of food. Where and how was it grown? How did it get to you? Although, in reality, I’m not sure I’d go as far as the PORTLANDIA sketch when the diners wanted to know the name of the chicken they were served for dinner.
I’ve recently started thinking, also, about how I feel when I eat something and how my body reacts. Mostly I think of this in relationship to mass-market junk food, and how the less of it I eat, the worse I feel when I do eat some. So mindful eating can also be paying attention to the impact what we eat has on us. (For example, knowing that after five years, McDonald’s fries have lost their appeal and I don’t like how I felt after I ate them.) I started paying attention to how I felt after eating anything with gluten, and the memory of how that felt helps me stay on a gluten-free path. (Well…that and a really good gluten-free pasta substitute made from black beans. And gluten-free brownies. And drinking lots of water.)
Mindful eating can also relate to mindful cooking. This evening while I made dinner, I thought about who I was cooking for (my husband and myself), where the food came from (and how much I didn’t know about some of my ingredients). At least two of my ingredients are from places I’ve visited, and one (the garlic) is grown by people I know. That was a good feeling to have as I worked on the meal. I thought about how it would taste when we sit down to dinner, and how much I enjoy sharing meals with my husband.
The next time you have a cup of coffee, or scrambled eggs, or a spinach salad, take some time to pay attention to the taste, and texture, and how everything feels. How does mindful eating impact your life?
Cheers! Here’s to your health!