An Eating Exercise
Is it possible we don't know how to eat? Really, did anyone instruct us on how to do it?
It's one of those primal activities that we do but the model doesn't come with an instruction manual Supposedly our parents provide the manual
Intentional Nutrition
Well, the energy science of Ayurveda from which this wisdom of health comes makes a basic premise that at times is forgotten but stands at the heart of taking in food
It's not surprising that intention plays a pivotal role in nourishing the mindbody
Intention excludes a lot of what nourishment is not Intention means that we have the intent of nourishing the mindbody not engaged in casual conversation as we are moving out the door to work, driving to or from work munching on dinner, or distracted by some form of media(take your pick: TV, magazines, radio, etc)
There's good data to show that we digest our meals entirely differently when we are focused on the intention of nourishing ourselves
The 5 Interrogatories of Eating
Intention covers the first aspect of eating, that is, the how How do we eat? With awareness
What about the other 4?
What kind of foods and combinations? Foodsheal.com has lots of information about what It's best to make a deal with yourself to sit to eat(where)
As we have said in the past the best time(when) for nutrition is at noon Some say they cannot make this happen but in reality their health suffers gradually by not doing this
Why deals essentially with emotional eating Am I eating or consuming for the right reasons?
An Eating Exercise
So let's do an exercise at our next meal
Preferably make it the noon meal
Have an intention to fully participate in the consumption
Preferably use silence as a way to focus your intention
Between bites put the spoon or fork down so as to not rush the eating process
Pay attention to the textures, tastes, contrast the bites with one another, compare various combinations, aromas, colors etc
Try to feel rested with the process
Small amounts of warm water(never cold or with ice) with the meal
Then let's practice this art of eating everyday and notice what happens to bowel activity and how you feel after doing this process for 2 weeks
Until tomorrow To health as a Skill Love DrBill
Photo courtesy of Robert in Toronto
