Food as Haven
Is it just me or does the world feel more complicated to navigate these days? It seems there’s never a shortage of things demanding our attention, requiring our time, and pulling us in all sorts of directions. The increased use of technology, forms of messaging and social media platforms certainly contribute to a agitated pace of life.
Choosing what to eat seems to have become a thornier issue in recent history, also. With so many people offering their version of the best dietary option, many of us are left feeling deflated regarding what, when and how to eat. So many “should’s” in the kitchen makes for an uninspired chef!
What if the kitchen could become a refuge from stress and pressure of daily life? A place where we can slow down and connect with the joy of each of the senses?
One of the first steps in creating a “haven diet” is coming back to simplicity. Remembering that food is fuel – not just for our bodies, but for our hearts, minds and spirits. Start with what kind of protein you might like as the center point for the meal. Then consider what might compliment that choice – fruit, vegetables and grains (in their natural, whole form). Finally, what kind of spice would you like to add to make the meal interesting to your palette? If you’re not sure how to get there, the internet is a wealth of information and tips about how to conjure the flavor profile you’re looking for.
Notice any judgments that come up about your inspired plan. Where do those stories come from? Are they based on your lived experience or are they someone else’s opinion? What would happen if you fully engaged with your meal and let your body provide the insight you seek?
When deciding what to eat for any given meal, asking yourself the question, “Would this feel nourishing or depleting right now?” can help us get out of the duality of right or wrong, good or bad for us. It can also provide more flexibility and avoid relegating foods to the category of healthy or unhealthy because we’re assessing what feels right to us in this moment. For example, sometimes a kale salad can sound just right and other times it might feel like a drag to eat. Sometimes we eat a cookie and it’s an elevated experience, whereas it could also simply a distraction from emotions we don’t want to be with.
Our daily ritual of eating can be a touchstone of peace in an otherwise harried schedule. Take the time to pause and connect – with you and the food that nourishes you.
If you’re feeling stuck in limiting patterns or old beliefs and you’d like some assistance to free yourself from them, I’d love to work with you! Email me here or set up an appointment and let’s talk!
To our collective health~
Dr. Nicola
