Eating is a whole body experience; it is physical, emotional and pleasurable. Food appeals to all of our senses. Taking food into our bodies is deeply intimate; we allow it INSIDE of ourselves.  Our diet literally becomes part of us; builds and fuels every cell in our body. This fact should make us choose our diet thoughtfully just like we do in all other aspects of our lives.  How our food is prepared and the environment in which it is eaten is also just as essential. 

Choosing your food…

Fresh ingredients always taste best and contain the most nutrition.  The body fills up on nutrients, not calories, which is why some of us are never really full and satisfied even after consuming large amounts of food.  Many current diets do not contain enough nutrients and fail. 

Is organic better?  Yes, not only because of the soil quality, higher nutrient content and lack of chemicals but also because of the intention of the organic farmers and the stance they take on providing better food to their consumers.  For example, if we consume animal products, the taste is reflective of how the animals have been treated.  A hunter will tell you that a scared and stressed out animal’s meat is tough and has an “off” taste.  A relaxed and happy animal that is fed their natural diet provides the best quality product. Pride, intention, dignity and respect make great ingredients for good food. 

Taking the time…..

It is all too common that we are constantly seeking ways to minimize our time spent in the kitchen yet we still wish to be healthy.  In order to achieve and do well in anything, hard work and effort is required. Putting effort into your diet is no different if you desire good health.  If you put in the time, you will see results.  There are no short cuts.  Your body will respond very positively from hand made food.

Doesn’t it seem strange that meal preparation can take hours, even days, and the meal can be eaten in just moments?  It would seem that this is a complete waste of energy and time.  Most of life’s pleasures are not about the “prize” or in this case, dinner.  Life’s pleasures are about the anticipation, the build-up.  It’s the bringing together of people, the planning (“what should we make, let’s try this new recipe or grandma’s old one”), the preparing, the memories made along the way.  True happiness comes from sharing and participating in the same experience together, which is traditionally what a meal was made up from. 

Putting the love energy in….

There is an invisible, yet critical ingredient that is essential for beautiful tasting, highly nourishing food that is not on the ingredient list.  That ingredient is love.  We are now learning that though it cannot be seen, our world and ourselves are made up of energy.  It delivers a feeling that we cannot describe.  We can feel energy when a person walks into a room, the feeling and mood instantly changes.  Food takes on the energy of the preparer and therefore can bring joy, happiness and comfort.  It is no joke that when people put love and passion into food that is actually does taste better.  Have you ever tried to replicate someone else’s recipe but it just doesn’t taste exactly the same?  That is because each person puts his or her own unique energetic spin into food and it does alter the taste.  That is why Mom, Grandma and great chefs alike make excellent food, they love what they do and they are passionate about the food, their families and their guests.  The famous quote “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” can be interpreted as the man receiving love from his partner through food and not for the taste alone.  Eating is really a transferring of energy from one person to another.  A meal for one still needs the love and attention as a meal made for ten and is an important expression of self-love.

Being mindful…

Set positive thoughts and intentions into the food you prepare just as you would when out in the world.  Digestion requires many elements other than just the physical apparatuses; it is also very much an energetic process needing love, company, laughter, conversation, gratefulness and state of mind to properly assimilate and nourish.   This can be the best multi-vitamin/enzyme complex you have ever taken and it is free!

Something to consider…

Next time you pop into a fast food drive-thru think about; who is preparing my meal?  Massive factory machines?  Who is cooking it?  A happy passionate person who loves to cook?  Am I eating alone in the car or on the run?  Is this how I would prefer to treat and nourish the one(s) I love?

My final message is to feed deeply and try the love food diet!

Rachel Hynd