I could eat more mindfully, always sitting at a table, not at my computer. I could eat more slowly, reflecting on all the beings (human, plant, animal) and the earth’s elements that contributed to my food. I could be more consciously grateful for the abundance of food choices I have and not take them for granted.
Give thanks for for the gift of food always. And show gratitude by giving back… giving back to the earth and to those who do not have enough.
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” (Henri Frederic Amiel)
I am inspired by the above quote which appeared recently in a lovely blog post on this site.
As a Temporary personality I live on this planet……..As a Spirit-Soul this planet lives in me. All that the Temporary takes in …be it food or air, water etc is in existence thanks to the Archangels of the elements who create and control the material realm.
Every morsel of food is a gift from this planet. What can I do to remember this more fully?
Live in the awareness, (using meditation and contemplation daily), of these Holy Archangels and the unceasing work they do as part of the Divi...
As a Temporary personality I live on this planet……..As a Spirit-Soul this planet lives in me. All that the Temporary takes in …be it food or air, water etc is in existence thanks to the Archangels of the elements who create and control the material realm.
Every morsel of food is a gift from this planet. What can I do to remember this more fully?
Live in the awareness, (using meditation and contemplation daily), of these Holy Archangels and the unceasing work they do as part of the Divine Plan within Absolute Beingness.
Always give thanks before eating a meal, remembering that the meal is a sign of God’s Presence and Providence. Furthermore, remember to hallow meals by making them inclusive and inviting outcasts and sinners to the table.
I love how you mention making meals inclusive. I think school mealtimes in a big dining hall are an especially good opportunity to do so. Going out of your way to invite someone new and different to sit with you.
I havethe possibility to choose the food which is the best for my health. In general this food comes from local farms.
For this I am not enaugh grateful. I can do more, at least in my soul, with a prayer of thankfulness.
So many interesting responses! The truth is, as much as I love to eat and appreciate my meals, I do take food for granted all too often. What would help is if I said a simple prayer of thanks before I eat – silent at work, out loud at home. Now, I hope I can remember to do this!
Just before reading this I harvested greens for my daily salad….lettuce, kale, broccoli, parsley, cilantro, beets. During harvesting I remembered that this is a sacred task…separating the chosen plants from their existence in the garden among their “family”. I promised their energy I will make the best use I can of this transfer to MY energy family, to be endlessly transformed and reused within The One of which we are all a part.
Funny that this question came today, eating is one of the things I enjoy the most, and today I was very hungry because I ate later than usual. I had pasta with italian sauce and it filled my body and my soul, maybe because that was often what I ate when growing up. I was truly grateful for each and every morsel. So, to answer the question, perhaps eating when my body asks for it and not just because it’s time to eat will make me remember how precious food is.
My beloved creates every meal we eat (which is two daily). That is where his creativity and passion shines forth. We have a prayer of thanksgiving before we eat. My eating mindfully is a celebration of our relationship and the food on the plate. I remember the animal whose body I am now eating and am reminded of what Gibran wrote in The Prophet; “And let your board stand an alter on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innoce...
My beloved creates every meal we eat (which is two daily). That is where his creativity and passion shines forth. We have a prayer of thanksgiving before we eat. My eating mindfully is a celebration of our relationship and the food on the plate. I remember the animal whose body I am now eating and am reminded of what Gibran wrote in The Prophet; “And let your board stand an alter on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in man.”
I try not to hurry through but savor and appreciate. We eat by candlelight and the time feels sacred. Afterwards, I clean up grateful to have participated in an act of love.
I have quite a mercurial relationship with food. Some of this is due to a chronic illness which comes with a host of symptoms/reactions if I eat particular things. In this country, some of those are added quite randomly into foods prepared for sale or in restaurants. I also have a few people in my family who have struggled with eating disorders, some of which come from negative messaging of people close to them/us. So it is often with trepidation that I approach food, and also boredom with what ...
I have quite a mercurial relationship with food. Some of this is due to a chronic illness which comes with a host of symptoms/reactions if I eat particular things. In this country, some of those are added quite randomly into foods prepared for sale or in restaurants. I also have a few people in my family who have struggled with eating disorders, some of which come from negative messaging of people close to them/us. So it is often with trepidation that I approach food, and also boredom with what I can eat. So I have some work to do in the gratitude for food as gift department. But I’m working on it.
Be mindful when eating. I try to remember to do this. Bless the food and all the people involved in getting it to the table. Its another opportunity to be grateful and to realize that we all depend on each other.
treat food as energy. treat the earth food comes from with respect. I treat food as a treat and indulge too much and too much of the wrong kind of food. meat is mostly gone and only consumed like once a week. sugar, however, is consumed way too much. the gift of food and how I consume it reflects on how I feel about myself. I verbally say I want to live for a long time in a healthy manner. my values, however, scream sugar. thank u for this question.
???? Thank God for your meals before you eat.
Also, thank your food for nourishing you… giving its life to you, for you.
I personally have learned to put my fork or spoon down during my meal to make it a longer and more consciously enjoyable experience.
Food is not just a pit stop. ????
Slow down and enjoy the food. Recognize the enjoyment is a gift of God and comes through the hands of many. Slowing and recognizing will greatly improve the chance of remembering.. (it’s hard to remember something you don’t first take the time or concern to acknowledge)
I can try to make being silent a moment, breathing, calming down before starting to eat a habit. Thank you for all these questions! They really are a help.
I find this is especially necessary when I am cooking for others. In my desire to please I can forget that the gift for my guests comes not from me, but from the sacrificed lives….be they plant or animal…. that I prepare. A moment of repose for the cook gives me time to remember my priorities.
When I think of it, which doesn’t happen often enough, I think about the food I am eating at any given moment, its texture, taste, where it came from, who worked to harvest it and how it arrived on my plate. That helps me to appreciate and be grateful for what I am eating and to receive it as a gift. And speaking of food, my wife, Betty Ann, is a terrific cook and I find myself saying “thank you” to her regularly for the meals that she creates for us both. Just saying “thank you” whene...
When I think of it, which doesn’t happen often enough, I think about the food I am eating at any given moment, its texture, taste, where it came from, who worked to harvest it and how it arrived on my plate. That helps me to appreciate and be grateful for what I am eating and to receive it as a gift. And speaking of food, my wife, Betty Ann, is a terrific cook and I find myself saying “thank you” to her regularly for the meals that she creates for us both. Just saying “thank you” whenever and however food arrives, at home, in a restaurant, or receiving a slice from an apple from a friend, that act of being thankful in itself can serve as a prayer of thanksgiving.
– Kevin
Thanks Joanne. Well, one could say, in keeping with the food motif, that I for one know which side of the bread my toast is buttered on! But seriously, I am truly very lucky, as my wife enjoys creating great meals. I am the master dish boy, the clean-up guy, we have a partnership! –My best to you, Kevin
I could eat more mindfully, always sitting at a table, not at my computer. I could eat more slowly, reflecting on all the beings (human, plant, animal) and the earth’s elements that contributed to my food. I could be more consciously grateful for the abundance of food choices I have and not take them for granted.
Yes, the “abundance of food choices” some of us have access to is a wonder, isn’t it? Would that everyone could enjoy. Thank you for mentioning.
Give thanks for for the gift of food always. And show gratitude by giving back… giving back to the earth and to those who do not have enough.
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” (Henri Frederic Amiel)
I am inspired by the above quote which appeared recently in a lovely blog post on this site.
As a Temporary personality I live on this planet……..As a Spirit-Soul this planet lives in me. All that the Temporary takes in …be it food or air, water etc is in existence thanks to the Archangels of the elements who create and control the material realm.
Every morsel of food is a gift from this planet. What can I do to remember this more fully?
Live in the awareness, (using meditation and contemplation daily), of these Holy Archangels and the unceasing work they do as part of the Divi...
As a Temporary personality I live on this planet……..As a Spirit-Soul this planet lives in me. All that the Temporary takes in …be it food or air, water etc is in existence thanks to the Archangels of the elements who create and control the material realm.
Every morsel of food is a gift from this planet. What can I do to remember this more fully?
Live in the awareness, (using meditation and contemplation daily), of these Holy Archangels and the unceasing work they do as part of the Divine Plan within Absolute Beingness.
Always give thanks before eating a meal, remembering that the meal is a sign of God’s Presence and Providence. Furthermore, remember to hallow meals by making them inclusive and inviting outcasts and sinners to the table.
I love how you mention making meals inclusive. I think school mealtimes in a big dining hall are an especially good opportunity to do so. Going out of your way to invite someone new and different to sit with you.
I havethe possibility to choose the food which is the best for my health. In general this food comes from local farms.
For this I am not enaugh grateful. I can do more, at least in my soul, with a prayer of thankfulness.
*Keep enjoying the food I cook
*Try to remember that some others are less fortunate
*Be grateful for what God provides
A pure gift harms no one. Let me therefore intend to move ever closer to full veganism, so that I can rejoice in the harmlessness of every bite.
So many interesting responses! The truth is, as much as I love to eat and appreciate my meals, I do take food for granted all too often. What would help is if I said a simple prayer of thanks before I eat – silent at work, out loud at home. Now, I hope I can remember to do this!
Just before reading this I harvested greens for my daily salad….lettuce, kale, broccoli, parsley, cilantro, beets. During harvesting I remembered that this is a sacred task…separating the chosen plants from their existence in the garden among their “family”. I promised their energy I will make the best use I can of this transfer to MY energy family, to be endlessly transformed and reused within The One of which we are all a part.
Funny that this question came today, eating is one of the things I enjoy the most, and today I was very hungry because I ate later than usual. I had pasta with italian sauce and it filled my body and my soul, maybe because that was often what I ate when growing up. I was truly grateful for each and every morsel. So, to answer the question, perhaps eating when my body asks for it and not just because it’s time to eat will make me remember how precious food is.
My beloved creates every meal we eat (which is two daily). That is where his creativity and passion shines forth. We have a prayer of thanksgiving before we eat. My eating mindfully is a celebration of our relationship and the food on the plate. I remember the animal whose body I am now eating and am reminded of what Gibran wrote in The Prophet; “And let your board stand an alter on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innoce...
My beloved creates every meal we eat (which is two daily). That is where his creativity and passion shines forth. We have a prayer of thanksgiving before we eat. My eating mindfully is a celebration of our relationship and the food on the plate. I remember the animal whose body I am now eating and am reminded of what Gibran wrote in The Prophet; “And let your board stand an alter on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in man.”
I try not to hurry through but savor and appreciate. We eat by candlelight and the time feels sacred. Afterwards, I clean up grateful to have participated in an act of love.
Deb, you are a lucky lady to have every meal prepared for you ????
Don’t I know it!!
Take time to enjoy the food we are able to have and thank God for his daily provision.
I have quite a mercurial relationship with food. Some of this is due to a chronic illness which comes with a host of symptoms/reactions if I eat particular things. In this country, some of those are added quite randomly into foods prepared for sale or in restaurants. I also have a few people in my family who have struggled with eating disorders, some of which come from negative messaging of people close to them/us. So it is often with trepidation that I approach food, and also boredom with what ...
I have quite a mercurial relationship with food. Some of this is due to a chronic illness which comes with a host of symptoms/reactions if I eat particular things. In this country, some of those are added quite randomly into foods prepared for sale or in restaurants. I also have a few people in my family who have struggled with eating disorders, some of which come from negative messaging of people close to them/us. So it is often with trepidation that I approach food, and also boredom with what I can eat. So I have some work to do in the gratitude for food as gift department. But I’m working on it.
Be mindful when eating. I try to remember to do this. Bless the food and all the people involved in getting it to the table. Its another opportunity to be grateful and to realize that we all depend on each other.
treat food as energy. treat the earth food comes from with respect. I treat food as a treat and indulge too much and too much of the wrong kind of food. meat is mostly gone and only consumed like once a week. sugar, however, is consumed way too much. the gift of food and how I consume it reflects on how I feel about myself. I verbally say I want to live for a long time in a healthy manner. my values, however, scream sugar. thank u for this question.
???? Thank God for your meals before you eat.
Also, thank your food for nourishing you… giving its life to you, for you.
I personally have learned to put my fork or spoon down during my meal to make it a longer and more consciously enjoyable experience.
Food is not just a pit stop. ????
Slow. Recognize. Remember.
Slow down and enjoy the food. Recognize the enjoyment is a gift of God and comes through the hands of many. Slowing and recognizing will greatly improve the chance of remembering.. (it’s hard to remember something you don’t first take the time or concern to acknowledge)
That sums it up for me. Thanks
Jett, I totally agree with you and you said it wonderfully! Thank-you for your reflection and sharing! Have a blessed day.
Peace, Sheila
I can try to make being silent a moment, breathing, calming down before starting to eat a habit. Thank you for all these questions! They really are a help.
I find this is especially necessary when I am cooking for others. In my desire to please I can forget that the gift for my guests comes not from me, but from the sacrificed lives….be they plant or animal…. that I prepare. A moment of repose for the cook gives me time to remember my priorities.
When I think of it, which doesn’t happen often enough, I think about the food I am eating at any given moment, its texture, taste, where it came from, who worked to harvest it and how it arrived on my plate. That helps me to appreciate and be grateful for what I am eating and to receive it as a gift. And speaking of food, my wife, Betty Ann, is a terrific cook and I find myself saying “thank you” to her regularly for the meals that she creates for us both. Just saying “thank you” whene...
When I think of it, which doesn’t happen often enough, I think about the food I am eating at any given moment, its texture, taste, where it came from, who worked to harvest it and how it arrived on my plate. That helps me to appreciate and be grateful for what I am eating and to receive it as a gift. And speaking of food, my wife, Betty Ann, is a terrific cook and I find myself saying “thank you” to her regularly for the meals that she creates for us both. Just saying “thank you” whenever and however food arrives, at home, in a restaurant, or receiving a slice from an apple from a friend, that act of being thankful in itself can serve as a prayer of thanksgiving.
– Kevin
I love that you honored your wife.
Thanks Joanne. Well, one could say, in keeping with the food motif, that I for one know which side of the bread my toast is buttered on! But seriously, I am truly very lucky, as my wife enjoys creating great meals. I am the master dish boy, the clean-up guy, we have a partnership! –My best to you, Kevin
How can I silence myself to receive peace, and contentment.
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