Some say it is overrated and often overlooked… Eating.

Yes, eating is a great time to nurture and pleasure one’s self. What I mean by that, is taking time to really experience the moment, become more conscious and aware.

Have you eaten a meal and then felt still hungry even though you had a normal size portion? Or maybe you say to yourself, “Did I just eat?” Because you were so busy working at your desk or at the dinner table and busy talking.

Eating is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks and an act of service. You have heard it before everything is energy and it connected.

First, focus on your breathing to bring your awareness into yourself and fully present with what is in front of you. Give thanks to the earth, to the seeds, farmers where it was grown and all the people that came in touch with it to make it possible to be in front of you.

Try this practice a few times and notice what happens.   You will notice your food becomes more flavorful and like super-charged fuel for your body.

With that in mind, bring your awareness into your mouth, and notice the flavors, how many flavors do you notice? As you do this you will notice that you talk a little less, because your focus turns inward.

Now become aware of the various different textures and sensations. Don’t forget to pay attention to temperature as well.

Secondly, bring your attention to how your body feels, does it feel different? It may be subtle to start. Be sure to show your body appreciation, too. Give it a feel kind thoughts.  🙂  Maybe you will start to be more aware of sensation in your tummy area as food goes to be digested.

This also gives you time to chew slower and more mindful. Experts say to chew each mouthful around 25 times. A recent study in January 2014 issue of Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, found that when you slow down people will consume less calories.

Slowing down chewing often means consuming less because there is the feeling of satisfaction much sooner. Which also has been shown to help improve weightloss.

Third and finally,  digestion is enhanced with more enzymes being produced, meaning that your body is assimulating the nutrients better rather then just flowing through the body being stored as fecal matter in the intestines or just flowing through the body and being eliminated without being absorbed.

I invite you to try some of these ideas and then share your experiences below.

“Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things will be yours.” ~Swedish Proverb.