Emotions and Holiday Eating
When we’re together with friends and loved ones, sharing delicious food, we’re usually flooded with feelings of contentment and gratitude. I say usually, because I have a real family too, and the scene isn't always joyful. But when the vibe is good, science has lately proven that feeling good emotions while eating aids digestion and nutrient assimilation, and tells our bodies that we’re safe and happy. So, when eaten while feeling these kinds of feelings, even comfort food can be transformed into building blocks for a happy, peaceful, grateful, and yes...a healthy being.
The stress I caused myself for many years in trying to eat only 100% whole foods, contrasts greatly with this balance and ease I now feel around the big picture of my diet. My spirit is wonderfully uplifted by spending time with people I love over delicious food, healthy or not. Eating is one of the most common social activities, so the amount of quality time and heart-connection I’ve experienced since widening the scope of what I let myself eat, has increased greatly. What a deep blessing this has been!
These days, to stay healthy and in balance, about 80% of the time I eat whole foods that I’ve made at home before my busy week starts - foods that are balancing for my body type and my changing needs. And then I let the other 20% of my diet be an emotionally-soothing deviation from that healthy foundation. Sometimes it’s okay (or sometimes very necessary!) to relieve my stress and maintain my sanity, by feeding the little girl inside of me a quality ham & cheese croissant from my favorite artisan bakery, or a big juicy guacamole burger from Sylvester’s, or maybe a piece of quality dark chocolate.
The holidays are a timely season for the subject of emotions and food. Pleasure foods are everywhere, so it's helpful to know that we do get important emotional and social needs met by gathering with friends and loved ones at maybe-not-so-healthy holiday meals, potlucks, and even restaurants. Also, foods which comfort and warm us can help take the edge off holiday stress.
When we’re together with friends and loved ones, sharing delicious food, we’re usually flooded with feelings of contentment and gratitude. I say usually, because I have a real family too, and the scene isn't always joyful. But when the vibe is good, science has lately proven that feeling good emotions while eating aids digestion and nutrient assimilation, and tells our bodies that we’re safe and happy. So, when eaten while feeling these kinds of feelings, even comfort food can be transformed into building blocks for a happy, peaceful, grateful, and yes...a healthy being.
Generally,
the emotions we experience while we’re eating, are just as important
(and sometimes even more important) than what we’re eating. This idea
comes from the study of quantum physics; that our thoughts and feelings
affect everything, and that thoughts and feelings definitely have the power to change physical matter. There’s now
scientific proof as to the energetically transformative effects of
placing our hands over the meal we’re about to eat, closing our eyes,
and giving thanks for the nourishment. Whether it’s a macrobiotic,
home-made delight, or a quick meal from a food truck on the go, thought
and intention can change the physics of matter into good energy in our
bodies.
When I
think back to how obsessed I was for so many years, about whether the foods I was eating
would cause or cure cancer, that I didn’t allow myself to enjoy my
favorite comfort foods (or much of the food that could have been shared with friends and family), I’m sad
that I limited my experience of life’s pleasures. If I'd let this
behavior continue for more years than it did, the stress of all that worry could have made me sick. And it would have definitely been socially stifling, leading to feelings of
isolation, which alone could have lead to illness.
The stress I caused myself for many years in trying to eat only 100% whole foods, contrasts greatly with this balance and ease I now feel around the big picture of my diet. My spirit is wonderfully uplifted by spending time with people I love over delicious food, healthy or not. Eating is one of the most common social activities, so the amount of quality time and heart-connection I’ve experienced since widening the scope of what I let myself eat, has increased greatly. What a deep blessing this has been!
These days, to stay healthy and in balance, about 80% of the time I eat whole foods that I’ve made at home before my busy week starts - foods that are balancing for my body type and my changing needs. And then I let the other 20% of my diet be an emotionally-soothing deviation from that healthy foundation. Sometimes it’s okay (or sometimes very necessary!) to relieve my stress and maintain my sanity, by feeding the little girl inside of me a quality ham & cheese croissant from my favorite artisan bakery, or a big juicy guacamole burger from Sylvester’s, or maybe a piece of quality dark chocolate.
I love my dear friend Karyn’s prayer. She says this to herself whenever she eats food that is less than ideal for health, “My mind is strong. My mind keeps my body healthy. Everything I eat turns to health and beauty.” And Voila! It is so! This spiritual wisdom is a wonderful tool that all of us can use in today’s world brimming with questionable foods. I hope you use it to go forth this holiday season, trusting in the power of your joy and good thoughts to create fantastic experiences with your loved ones, and also great health.
Duh Note: If you have severe food allergies, diabetes, cancer, or you're on a candida diet, etc, then you’ll need to prepare all your own whole, organic meals and green juices at home until you’re back in balance and feeling well again.
Duh Note: If you have severe food allergies, diabetes, cancer, or you're on a candida diet, etc, then you’ll need to prepare all your own whole, organic meals and green juices at home until you’re back in balance and feeling well again.
