It's 7 p.m. and you're headed to the refrigerator.
But is it because you're hungry ~ or is it because you're bored, emotionally upset, sad or lonely?
Unfortunately, food isn't just a nutrient for us ~ it's more often used as a balm to deaden our emotional discomfort.
Much of that comes because we feel separate from everyone else ~ for whatever reason. Our culture dwells on comparisons ~ whose life is more interesting, whose job is more exciting, who has more money, who is thinner ~ or who owns a home with hardwood floors! If we judge that we fall short, that low esteem also prevents us from seeing the wide range of choices we have!
As a result, we perceive that we're stuck. As Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can or believe you can't ~ you're right!"
That's when food becomes our "best friend".
Food could be our best friend ~ but in that negative state, the foods we would choose don't make us any healthier or happier.
The first step in changing that reality is to pause long enough between the couch and the cupboards to just be aware.
Just stop and ask yourself: "What am I really hungry for?"
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Being "Mindful" ~ Translated
Despite my best efforts, I got that nasty virus that circulated late this winter, and my rebound was slow. I apologize to my faithful followers for my absence!
This week I was also blessed with a fifth granddaugher ~ all of them ages six and under!
While for all of us, our energies rally and wane in our efforts to live mindfully, they remind me that we are models for the generations that will follow us. Children are mindful ~ and they pay attention to what we do.
So how do we do that? And what does it mean to be "mindful"? The word must appear as "new age" jargon to much of our population who see themselves as separate from that realm.
But of course, we all share the same realm ~ no matter what our political or religious beliefs. So being mindful ~ translated ~ simply means paying attention to what we're doing right now, every moment.
Children get that ~ and they notice when adults in their lives are distracted because it siphons the energy they receive. Every mother knows that kids begin to act up as soon as she gets a phone call. It's because her attention has shifted. Kids can't articulate that, but they know it, and they behave accordingly.
Even in the worst of crises, most will say they experienced a "calm" as their total focus was on the situation at hand. In my humble opinion, a lot of our stress comes from lack of focus ~ when our minds race like a galloping herd of wild horses.
In that all-pervasive food arena that we live in every day, an unfocused, distracted mind drives us to find some calming effect from those foods and drinks that are the worst choices for our bodies. We're looking to self-medicate all that stress and agitation ~ but we pick the wrong prescription. The more stressed we are ~ or the less mindful ~ the more we eat.
No blame here. There's no place for it. It's how we're wired.
But when we make better food choices, it's going to affect everything else. We just have to slow down ~ maybe even stop ~ and pay attention.
The kids will notice!
This week I was also blessed with a fifth granddaugher ~ all of them ages six and under!
While for all of us, our energies rally and wane in our efforts to live mindfully, they remind me that we are models for the generations that will follow us. Children are mindful ~ and they pay attention to what we do.
So how do we do that? And what does it mean to be "mindful"? The word must appear as "new age" jargon to much of our population who see themselves as separate from that realm.
But of course, we all share the same realm ~ no matter what our political or religious beliefs. So being mindful ~ translated ~ simply means paying attention to what we're doing right now, every moment.
Children get that ~ and they notice when adults in their lives are distracted because it siphons the energy they receive. Every mother knows that kids begin to act up as soon as she gets a phone call. It's because her attention has shifted. Kids can't articulate that, but they know it, and they behave accordingly.
Even in the worst of crises, most will say they experienced a "calm" as their total focus was on the situation at hand. In my humble opinion, a lot of our stress comes from lack of focus ~ when our minds race like a galloping herd of wild horses.
In that all-pervasive food arena that we live in every day, an unfocused, distracted mind drives us to find some calming effect from those foods and drinks that are the worst choices for our bodies. We're looking to self-medicate all that stress and agitation ~ but we pick the wrong prescription. The more stressed we are ~ or the less mindful ~ the more we eat.
No blame here. There's no place for it. It's how we're wired.
But when we make better food choices, it's going to affect everything else. We just have to slow down ~ maybe even stop ~ and pay attention.
The kids will notice!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
There's a Niche for Responsible Restaurants
Pete recently joined as a follower of my blog. He's a young, athletic guy who commented that active folks and athletes need calories ~ more than the average adult.
True enough.
That lines up with axiom: "energy in ~ energy out". Some Americans actually burn more calories than they take in, and so their nutritional needs are different than much of the population.
Seems like a marketing opportunity for those in the restaurant business ~ per menu options, or the entire restaurant's venue. Generally, Americans are unhealthy, and generally, they eat too much of the wrong foods. We have an obesity crisis ~ which translates into our health crisis.
Young, health-aware people like Pete will be always be able to seek out what they need without much trouble. I think there'll always be plenty of calories to be had, and most likely they won't eat more than they need.
That's the key. I'm betting people like Pete know the difference.
It's all about being aware. And restaurants, I believe, have a role to play in providing food options for those who are not.
True enough.
That lines up with axiom: "energy in ~ energy out". Some Americans actually burn more calories than they take in, and so their nutritional needs are different than much of the population.
Seems like a marketing opportunity for those in the restaurant business ~ per menu options, or the entire restaurant's venue. Generally, Americans are unhealthy, and generally, they eat too much of the wrong foods. We have an obesity crisis ~ which translates into our health crisis.
Young, health-aware people like Pete will be always be able to seek out what they need without much trouble. I think there'll always be plenty of calories to be had, and most likely they won't eat more than they need.
That's the key. I'm betting people like Pete know the difference.
It's all about being aware. And restaurants, I believe, have a role to play in providing food options for those who are not.
Friday, February 25, 2011
We Don't Need That Much Food!
My friend and I had dinner the other night at a nice little Italian restaurant near Vail. There was a grilled zucchini dish with mozzarella and linguini on the menu, so we decided to order it.
But instead of each ordering that entree, we asked to split a single order.
Good choice, because it was a lot of food. That's typical in most restaurants. They give you big plates, and those plates are full ~ probably to justify the price.
This item was $13.50. Turns out, cut in half, the portion was just right. It also came with olives, hummus, and roasted garlic, and a bowl of warm grain bread. But I would have paid $10 or $11 for the same amount, rather than what turned out to be roughly $7.
My point is, I feel well served at a restaurant when I get a nutritious meal that isn't crawling off the plate. I want to finish it all and feel satisfied, but not stuffed!
But instead of each ordering that entree, we asked to split a single order.
Good choice, because it was a lot of food. That's typical in most restaurants. They give you big plates, and those plates are full ~ probably to justify the price.
This item was $13.50. Turns out, cut in half, the portion was just right. It also came with olives, hummus, and roasted garlic, and a bowl of warm grain bread. But I would have paid $10 or $11 for the same amount, rather than what turned out to be roughly $7.
My point is, I feel well served at a restaurant when I get a nutritious meal that isn't crawling off the plate. I want to finish it all and feel satisfied, but not stuffed!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Let Them Eat Cake!
So does healthy eating mean you never again swing through McDonald's? Is chocolate cake forever off the menu for you?
I heard Rush Limbaugh this week criticize national food maven Michelle Obama for eating barbeque ribs!
If you're going to eat well, and not be in a constant state of vigilance, it can't be an "all or nothing" proposition. Culturally, we frame things that way. And it sets us up for failure.
The challenge is to be aware of your choices.
Maybe your day is packed, you forgot the sandwich you had wrapped the night before and placed in the fridge, and you only have a half hour to eat and get to a meeting. McDonald's can be the solution ~ just be aware of what you're ordering.
Eventhough most of my meals are prepared here at home using fresh stuff, tonight I experimented with Campbell's tomato soup. I combined a large can of it with a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, a dash of garlic salt, and some dried basil. After it was good and hot, I topped it with some shaved Parmesan cheese. (If I had some fresh tomatoes, I would have used them ~ but they're out of season here so I don't buy them)
The soup was cheap and delicious. I won't be having it every night, but once in awhile it's an easy way to add more nutrients to a plain old can of tomato soup. A few slices of sauteed onion or scallions would have made it even better!
The point here is that you are mindful to make everything you eat as nutritious as you can. It's your body's fuel. Some meals will be better than others.
A keynote to help keep you on course is water. It's truly the elixir of life, and a constant reminder that simplicity should be the litmus for living well!
I heard Rush Limbaugh this week criticize national food maven Michelle Obama for eating barbeque ribs!
If you're going to eat well, and not be in a constant state of vigilance, it can't be an "all or nothing" proposition. Culturally, we frame things that way. And it sets us up for failure.
The challenge is to be aware of your choices.
Maybe your day is packed, you forgot the sandwich you had wrapped the night before and placed in the fridge, and you only have a half hour to eat and get to a meeting. McDonald's can be the solution ~ just be aware of what you're ordering.
Eventhough most of my meals are prepared here at home using fresh stuff, tonight I experimented with Campbell's tomato soup. I combined a large can of it with a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, a dash of garlic salt, and some dried basil. After it was good and hot, I topped it with some shaved Parmesan cheese. (If I had some fresh tomatoes, I would have used them ~ but they're out of season here so I don't buy them)
The soup was cheap and delicious. I won't be having it every night, but once in awhile it's an easy way to add more nutrients to a plain old can of tomato soup. A few slices of sauteed onion or scallions would have made it even better!
The point here is that you are mindful to make everything you eat as nutritious as you can. It's your body's fuel. Some meals will be better than others.
A keynote to help keep you on course is water. It's truly the elixir of life, and a constant reminder that simplicity should be the litmus for living well!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This...
Anyone under 50 may not recognize these lyrics ~ they "date" me!
Basically, the message is that there are good days and bad days ~ and that's especially true when it comes to eating!
No matter what you're level of resolve, there will be days when you don't eat well. Under stress, we gravitate towards sugar, fat and salt ~ and there are plenty of offerings wherever we look. It happens, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're "off the wagon." You've just diverted your path a bit.
My very pregnant daughter-in-law commented her last several credit card charges were to McDonald's. Right now she's caring for her two daughers, ages 3 and 1, and waiting for baby number three, while her husband works overseas. She's been pretty careful about how she eats until recently ~ but its understandable that the whole eating equation looks very different right now.
The key here is awareness.
If you've had the opportunity to notice that eating some foods give you energy, and some foods take your energy away, you've made progress because your choices are clearer than when you never noticed.
When we never notice what we're really doing, our actions are mindless ~ whether it's eating, drinking, gambling, drugs ~ it doesn't matter.
We all know life can be better ~ no matter what our circumstances.
The key is to believe in your ability to choose ~ and to recognize those opportunities.
Basically, the message is that there are good days and bad days ~ and that's especially true when it comes to eating!
No matter what you're level of resolve, there will be days when you don't eat well. Under stress, we gravitate towards sugar, fat and salt ~ and there are plenty of offerings wherever we look. It happens, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're "off the wagon." You've just diverted your path a bit.
My very pregnant daughter-in-law commented her last several credit card charges were to McDonald's. Right now she's caring for her two daughers, ages 3 and 1, and waiting for baby number three, while her husband works overseas. She's been pretty careful about how she eats until recently ~ but its understandable that the whole eating equation looks very different right now.
The key here is awareness.
If you've had the opportunity to notice that eating some foods give you energy, and some foods take your energy away, you've made progress because your choices are clearer than when you never noticed.
When we never notice what we're really doing, our actions are mindless ~ whether it's eating, drinking, gambling, drugs ~ it doesn't matter.
We all know life can be better ~ no matter what our circumstances.
The key is to believe in your ability to choose ~ and to recognize those opportunities.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Same Food ~ More Grounding Experience
I had salmon pasta with spinach and capers again last night ~ but it was a totally different experience than the meal I wrote about in my last blog.
First of all, it was left-over food from our restaurant dinner four or five days earlier. There obviously wasn't as much, but I heated it up in a pan along with baby spinach leaves. I fixed a salad with crisp, romaine lettuce and sliced some red onions, topped with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar dressing.
My husband decided he wasn't hungry, so I ate alone. It all felt "right" to me.
This time, I hadn't created an expectation by suggesting we go out for dinner ~ we clearly had two different goals that evening. I was also hungry for connection, and he was just hungry for ~ well, food. As I mentioned earlier, the result was that we both ate too much.
Last night our choices were much healthier and satisfying. My husband didn't eat just because I was eating. He decided he really wasn't hungry, and opted instead to create time and space for himself and read his book. I, too, enjoyed the time to reflect in the quiet, and noticed that I was plenty satisfied with a third of the food I had been served on our night out.
But the other interesting thing here was that we were each connecting with ourselves in this period of solitude. The TV was off ~ and we were each operating in our own "space," with no expectation from the other. It was nice to know that that was just fine ~ for both us.
No one was in a snit or manipulating with silence ~ we've all done that, and we all know how crappy it feels!
What I found interesting was that neither one of us felt drawn to scan the cupboards or troll through the refrigerator later that night ~ perhaps because we had been truly mindful of what we were truly hungry for!
First of all, it was left-over food from our restaurant dinner four or five days earlier. There obviously wasn't as much, but I heated it up in a pan along with baby spinach leaves. I fixed a salad with crisp, romaine lettuce and sliced some red onions, topped with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar dressing.
My husband decided he wasn't hungry, so I ate alone. It all felt "right" to me.
This time, I hadn't created an expectation by suggesting we go out for dinner ~ we clearly had two different goals that evening. I was also hungry for connection, and he was just hungry for ~ well, food. As I mentioned earlier, the result was that we both ate too much.
Last night our choices were much healthier and satisfying. My husband didn't eat just because I was eating. He decided he really wasn't hungry, and opted instead to create time and space for himself and read his book. I, too, enjoyed the time to reflect in the quiet, and noticed that I was plenty satisfied with a third of the food I had been served on our night out.
But the other interesting thing here was that we were each connecting with ourselves in this period of solitude. The TV was off ~ and we were each operating in our own "space," with no expectation from the other. It was nice to know that that was just fine ~ for both us.
No one was in a snit or manipulating with silence ~ we've all done that, and we all know how crappy it feels!
What I found interesting was that neither one of us felt drawn to scan the cupboards or troll through the refrigerator later that night ~ perhaps because we had been truly mindful of what we were truly hungry for!
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