Appreciating Your Daily Bread

Do you ever pause to appreciate the food you eat each day? Sure, maybe you give thanks that you have food to eat – but I’m talking about appreciating the food itself for all of its wonderful features and benefits.

Most of us pay little attention to the food as we’re eating it. Our mouths are busy chewing and swallowing but our eyes and minds are focused on the television, newspaper, computer screen or our dining partners. Maybe now and then we think, “Mmm, this tastes good” but beyond those momentary blips of awareness we don’t pay much attention.

Why is it important to appreciate your food, anyway?

Everything in this world is energy, including food, and including your own body. When you infuse anything with positive thoughts (energy) and then take it into your body, your body reaps the benefits of that positivity.

Here’s a good way to start appreciating your food:

If you are preparing your own meal, pause during the cooking of it and make a point of appreciating the ingredients you put into it. Smell the herbs and spices as you add them and think about why you love the scent and flavor. Appreciate how they complement and improve the dish you are cooking.

photo credit: ginnerobot

When you sit down to eat, first look at the food on your plate and appreciate the fact that you have it. Notice the range of colors between main courses, vegetables, side dishes, bread, and so on. Appreciate the fact that you have such variety to enjoy!

As you begin eating, take your time and try to keep most of your attention on the food.

Notice how each bite has its own texture and flavor. Notice how your stomach feels better and better with every bite. Enjoy each bite fully before moving on to the next.

Pay attention to the signal from your body that says, “I’ve had enough” and stop eating at that time. Appreciate how satisfied your body feels in that moment, not too full but no longer hungry – just a fantastic, comfortable sense of completion.

Affirm that your body is going to process this food perfectly and gain great nutritional benefits from it. Affirm that your body knows how to use what it needs for fuel and release the rest as waste.

You can use this same process for beverages, appreciating the delicious flavor of rich coffee or tea, enjoying the cool, clean sensation of drinking water, and so on.

Appreciate your food, and that positive energy will be reflected right back to you!

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” ―Luciano Pavarotti