Food & Pleasure - A Dance of Freedom and Success!
By: Kim Scheid
Head Mind-Body Coach, Three Point Balance
Food and Pleasure . . . Oooh it’s a juicy confusion for which people blame their “bad” eating habits.
But, here’s the real deal, it’s easy to completely misunderstand the mind-body pleasure connections with food. When used in new ways, this is often the missing piece to an empowered wellness journey.
I just received word from a graduated client that she is so surprised to see how her taste buds continue to change and that from this new experience with food, the junk or temptations from her past no longer have a hold on her. These foods might even be a small part of her wellness framework, but they not longer derail her. That is FREEDOM! That is freedom and SUCCESS!
Pleasure connections with food that serve you well, are all about mindfulness. But mindfulness is such a buzz word these days.
Let's throw that word out and replace it with:
Relaxed
Engaging
Why does this matter?
Relaxation and the engagement of your senses tells your body to pay attention and “listen” for cues of satiation! Mindful eating can literally be a way to monitor portion control!
A relaxed body digests food well. This means that you’re way more likely to avoid overeating. Your body can tell you brain that your’e full much more easily than when you eat rushed or in any type of stress, including guilt for what you’re eating!
When you relax your body and engage your senses with all types of food, your relationship with food, eating and your body can change dramatically.
Flavor plays a huge role in the mind-body pleasure connections!
A little lesson in Flavor . . .
Flavor is a Dance! These elements create the choreography that fills your soul and your body well:
- Sweet
- Bitter
- Acid
- Fat
- Salt
- Texture
Example:
This morning, I wanted something fresh and bright and fiber-full with my eggs and homemade muffin. That meant greens.
Arugula and Apple Salad beautifully filled my plate in less than 5 minutes!
Here’s how I threw this breakfast salad together:
Prewashed arugula - torn a bit to break up the stringy stems
Tart apple - thinly sliced for little pops of crunchy flavor instead of big chunks to chew
Squeeze of fresh key lime
Pinch of salt
Arugula is bitter. Bitter greens need acid to mellow out and taste sweeter.
Tart apples and a squeeze of lime are the additional sweet and acid complement.
Salt brings all flavors out and allows each element to shine.
This little salad didn’t need a layer of “fat” flavor. I had richness in my eggs and muffin to feel perfectly satisfied. In fact, fresh limes over salad greens is kind of a magical element that can often eliminate the need for oil dressings!
So, this salad is sweet and bright with a peppery crunch from the arugula. Light and perfect for the morning! You don’t have to be a chef to pull this off.
Think of a food that you’d like to eat more of, maybe salad. Make a tweak to boost the natural yum on your plate.
A pinch of salt
A layer of sweetness
A squeeze of lime in exchange for more dressing
A change in how something is cut for a different texture experience
Most importantly, focus on how your mouth and brain is experiencing all the elements of flavor. Slow down. Explore.
Trust that your mind-body connections are here to serve you in such powerful ways that Freedom and Success within your wellness journey is 100% attainable for you as well!
Apple & Arugula Breakfast Salad
AUTHOR
Kim Parker Scheid
Head Nourishment Coach,
Three Point Balance
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