Happy New Year!!

A new year often signifies new beginnings After indulging a little (or a lot) through the holidays, January seems to be the time when we think about resolutions, diets, and getting healthy. Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker on a series of webinars. The topics discussed were diets and nutrient rich foods. In preparing for the webinars, I read quite a bit on these subjects. There are so many different diets and supplements to choose from that the choice to eat and stay healthy can be overwhelming. Do we eat high carb or low carb, high fat or no fat, meat or no meat???? The stress alone from all these decisions can completely undo even the best intentions.

Perhaps the better approach might be to simply slow down and take a look at not only what we eat, but, how and why we are eating. What thoughts go into choosing our food; are we mindful when we are preparing our meals; do we actually sit down and savor every bite or are we mindlessly eating in front of the TV or computer?

My grandmother was the greatest example of slow eating. Many of you have heard me talk about my Nana who turned 100 last July. I never heard her utter the word diet. She simply cooked and ate with joy and passion. Our meals together were never rushed. They were filled with whole foods and wonderful conversation. This seems to be common among the people who live in the “blue zones.” These are places around the world that have the highest population of people over 100. The centenarians attribute their longevity to, among other things, eating in moderation, mostly plant foods, shared with like minded people.

If all of these folks have lived to be 100 plus years without being on a “diet,” maybe we should stop worrying about all this stuff and get back to the basics…..eating real food, made with intention and enjoyed with family and friends. This is one of the many lessons my grandma taught me. Sadly, Nana passed away on January 14th. She was not sick, she simply took her last breath while she slept. So graceful and so peaceful. Her memory will live on in so many ways, but, one thing I know for sure….my new year’s resolution is to slow down, be grateful and savor every last bite. Who knows…that just might be the key to longevity!

Cheers!

Tips for mindful eating

  • Awareness – digestion begins in our mind and our mouth.   Being aware of your senses while eating enhances the digestive process.
  • Relax and breathe –  Our bodies are fueled by oxygen and food.   A perfect combination!
  • Enjoy – taking pleasure in preparing and eating your food turns on the relaxation response allowing you to digest and assimilate the nutrients.