Feeding people, especially one’s family, is a sacred task. Dinnertime represents an opportunity for loved ones to gather, for nurturers to cultivate eating habits, and for the body to receive the sustenance it requires. Because of its significance in our lives, it is in our best interest to build harmony into this regimen.
This is why I have embraced the raw foods lifestyle. It has been an exciting journey, yet not without its challenges. My husband comes from a well-meaning Italian family; meat, pasta, bread, and cheese dominate every celebration! This is not the way I choose to feed my family for the most part. Eating for health and fueling my brood with wholesome ingredients, such as fresh, ripe, raw fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, seaweeds and herbs, has replaced former culinary traditions. These ingredients can be made into very tasty and nutritious dishes. Being raw is tricky; to achieve success, it works best to plan ahead.
Our meals are filled with green smoothies, inspired by Victoria Boutenko’s ground-breaking book Green For Life, which shows us that we can get all the nutrients of a meal in a glass by adding a handful of raw green leaves, like parsley, spinach, kale, or swiss chard into the blender with our fresh fruit and water. Another meal staple is big and hearty salads with arugula, dandelion, romaine, radicchio, fennel, pecans, olives, avocadoes and whatever else is in the fridge. F or dessert, we have gorgeous fruit platters and raw desserts like my raw chocolate pudding made from avocados, vanilla, honey and pure cacao powder (see recipe below). For car-rides or snacks, a trail mix of raw nuts, seeds and dried fruit with any combinations from almonds, pecans, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries, currants, and dried coconut flakes.
Being flexible and adaptable is a sign of good mental health so I do not stress about straying from my raw regime. I am a believer that ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’ and being too rigid is more stressful than allowing occasional compromises, especially when it comes to the kids! However, I draw the line at sodas, meat, fried foods, or ‘junk food’.
Harmony is Healthy and Pleasurable
An overemphasis on food can mar the eating experience. Raw is the path for me. Whichever approach you select, choose to enjoy the eating ritual, savor the taste, appreciate the aroma, and take pleasure in the experience. In my travels, I have always been touched by the peaceful (not stressful) relationship other cultures have with their food. In Asia, South America, Australia or Europe, the focus is not on calories or even health per se. Instead, the central theme seems to center on pleasure. Food brings enjoyment. I am inspired by the repect for food, the beautiful display in local markets, artfully prepared and gracefully served. How we eat and our state of being are as important as what we eat. Too many of us are often eating on the run, driving, standing up, watching TV, or reading the news. How does this impact our sanctity and nourishment?
What Is Eating You?
An alarmingly prevalent theme in the lives of Americans is dieting; it seems that everyone is on a diet, even pre-teens! Constant dieting represents restraint; with restraint comes vulnerability; with weakness comes rebellion; with rebellion comes dissatisfaction. When working in extremes, it is difficult to attain inner harmony and peace. All the dieting in the world does not guarantee physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. No matter how much we binge, we still remain hungry and empty on some level. Mindfully eating with open senses allows us to be truly nurtured and fed. When I came to understand the damage of ‘shoulding’ over food on my family, I became determined to find ways of bringing harmony to the table. Here are some rituals to re-establish a more balanced, peaceful connection with our food:
Rituals That Bring Sanctuary Around Our Eating
This is why I have embraced the raw foods lifestyle. It has been an exciting journey, yet not without its challenges. My husband comes from a well-meaning Italian family; meat, pasta, bread, and cheese dominate every celebration! This is not the way I choose to feed my family for the most part. Eating for health and fueling my brood with wholesome ingredients, such as fresh, ripe, raw fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, seaweeds and herbs, has replaced former culinary traditions. These ingredients can be made into very tasty and nutritious dishes. Being raw is tricky; to achieve success, it works best to plan ahead.
Our meals are filled with green smoothies, inspired by Victoria Boutenko’s ground-breaking book Green For Life, which shows us that we can get all the nutrients of a meal in a glass by adding a handful of raw green leaves, like parsley, spinach, kale, or swiss chard into the blender with our fresh fruit and water. Another meal staple is big and hearty salads with arugula, dandelion, romaine, radicchio, fennel, pecans, olives, avocadoes and whatever else is in the fridge. F or dessert, we have gorgeous fruit platters and raw desserts like my raw chocolate pudding made from avocados, vanilla, honey and pure cacao powder (see recipe below). For car-rides or snacks, a trail mix of raw nuts, seeds and dried fruit with any combinations from almonds, pecans, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries, currants, and dried coconut flakes.
Being flexible and adaptable is a sign of good mental health so I do not stress about straying from my raw regime. I am a believer that ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’ and being too rigid is more stressful than allowing occasional compromises, especially when it comes to the kids! However, I draw the line at sodas, meat, fried foods, or ‘junk food’.
Harmony is Healthy and Pleasurable
An overemphasis on food can mar the eating experience. Raw is the path for me. Whichever approach you select, choose to enjoy the eating ritual, savor the taste, appreciate the aroma, and take pleasure in the experience. In my travels, I have always been touched by the peaceful (not stressful) relationship other cultures have with their food. In Asia, South America, Australia or Europe, the focus is not on calories or even health per se. Instead, the central theme seems to center on pleasure. Food brings enjoyment. I am inspired by the repect for food, the beautiful display in local markets, artfully prepared and gracefully served. How we eat and our state of being are as important as what we eat. Too many of us are often eating on the run, driving, standing up, watching TV, or reading the news. How does this impact our sanctity and nourishment?
What Is Eating You?
An alarmingly prevalent theme in the lives of Americans is dieting; it seems that everyone is on a diet, even pre-teens! Constant dieting represents restraint; with restraint comes vulnerability; with weakness comes rebellion; with rebellion comes dissatisfaction. When working in extremes, it is difficult to attain inner harmony and peace. All the dieting in the world does not guarantee physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. No matter how much we binge, we still remain hungry and empty on some level. Mindfully eating with open senses allows us to be truly nurtured and fed. When I came to understand the damage of ‘shoulding’ over food on my family, I became determined to find ways of bringing harmony to the table. Here are some rituals to re-establish a more balanced, peaceful connection with our food:
Rituals That Bring Sanctuary Around Our Eating
- When preparing a meal for yourself or the family, light a little candle just for you. This centers and relaxes us, bringing grace and poise to our movements and mind.
- Think of ways to charge the atmosphere with excitement, connection, calm, or fun. Perhaps in the way you arrange the food or set your table, or plan a lively dinner conversation.
- Put on some music to enjoy, or sing, chant, or pray. This relaxes you and puts your energy and love into the food, which is the most important ingredient!
- Set a beautiful table with fresh flowers, a centerpiece of leaves, pine cones, berries, acorns, sea shells, or crystals; something lovely to reflect the season.
- Use the ‘good dishes’ and simple but cared-for linens.
- Clear away remnants of work, mail, phone, etc.
- After hands are washed and everyone is assembled, light the dinner candle.
I encourage my little tigers to take their time and really savour every bite of their meal. Our menu will include fresh, mostly raw ingredients that are prepared with love and eaten in gratitude. With busy schedules, dinner often marks the only time we spend together all day, and it is special. Create memories that will last a lifetime for your family by making more than just a nice dinner, but an especially delightful dinnertime. Having a loving and healthy family is the pinnacle of success. Enjoy every meal, especially those shared with your family.
