Instead of eating mindlessly, putting food into your mouth almost unconsciously, not really tasting the food you’re eating, sitting in front of the tv or computer or the phone … you notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. You learn to pay attention to: Why you feel like eating, and what emotions or needs might be triggering the eating if it’s truly not hunger!
In todays world of over 200 ‘diets’, many products, processed foods, fast foods, entertainment, advertising there is so much emphasis on food and body and yet health problems, obesity and eating disorders keep rising.
If you are a Vegetarian, that’s not good enough for the Vegans, if you’re a Vegan that is not good enough for the Raw Foodies and if you’re Raw then that is not good enough for the Breathatarian.
What if you’re an Emotional eater?
Food Addiction is prevalent these days – just look around.
Selling Coconuts in Cuba
Addiction is something that every one of us has experienced at one point or another to something!! We’re quick to point to the “big” addictions as being the obvious saboteurs in our lives, like drugs, alcohol, smoking but what about the gradual and socially acceptable drug of choice—food?
It’s the number one killer of our bodies and thief of our joy, that causes heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, dementia, depression, eating disorders and so many other diseases.
Through my cycles of an eating disorder, emotional eating / not eating, becoming a Raw For Chef then letting all points of view go to come to a balance that truly works for me – I’ve learned a lot!! 🙂
This is some of what I feel I know since I cleaned up many of my emotional triggers I didn’t need to use food to fill the hole in myself that I was feeling or stuff down (over eating or binge eating) the emotions I didn’t want to feel.
That I need to eat what is right for me and my body – it’s easier to listen to it when the food is clean. My body does well eating mostly fresh or real foods yet it goes through stages of wanting more protein and sometimes cooked foods depending on where I am – big difference between living in Mexico and Vancouver for weather!! I enjoy what I put in my mouth – if I don’t or my body doesn’t like it I don’t eat it – I don’t care how good it is for me!! I have cleaned up my body and taste buds so that I know the difference – not like eating highly processed foods then having a wheat grass drink and hating it – no not that way!! 🙂
Once we get rid of the highly processed foods we can actually tune into our bodies better and what they truly desire and when not what we think we should eat. The SAD pyramid way of eating has done a lot of damage in many ways! As with many other diets – we need to learn to trust ourselves and what OUR body is telling us NOT diets or measurements or times! There is nothing better than conscious eating – being conscious and doing anything really – compare it to like sex – are you on your phone or watching tv while having sex? If so maybe it’s not the right relationship!! 🙂
Be Present in the Moment
When I eat I am present – no tv (I never watch the Tel LIE Vision anyways), no computer or on my phone – I have no idea then what I ate or how it tasted!
I slow down when I eat and I also try to pay attention to my conversations – if I’m upset or angry I don’t eat then. Why? If everything is energy why take on more of that??
I try to bless my food, ask that it provide the most nutrition it can to my body and give thanks – again if everything is energy – Dr Emoto proved it with the water – Gratitude and Love – highest vibes!! (still working on this one as I don’t always remember yet I do while creating the food in the kitchen).
Not to push my beliefs or my ways onto others – I am not in their body and I have no idea truly what is for their highest good – I can only make suggestions to possibly wake up someone to a better or different way, a more natural or cleaner way yet with no attachment.
I’ve learned to love myself just the way I am and my body – my only regret with this one is why I didn’t do it sooner – it’s so much easier and freeing.
ALL Shapes, Sizes & Colors!!!
Being back on the beach here in Mexico I so love people watching – so many bodies – so many sizes, shapes and colors – many in very small bathing suits 🙂 – they obviously love themselves no matter what. Beautiful to see!!
A guy dancing in the streets of Havana
Pay attention today to when you are eating, if you are truly hungry and how it all tastes – being fully present in each moment raises our consciousness big time. When you eat it should be like a party in your mouth – live in joy, health and bliss!
Jodi
xo
PS If you are struggling with food issues or emotional eating my new 21 Days Food & You – Stop the Insanity is well worth the time and small investment on YOU!!!
