Eat consciously

My teacher said, "The stomach has no teeth."

To properly digest our food, we need to chew it. Eating meals can be so enjoyable especially when we eat consciously. Taking a moment to engage our senses in the experience. Smelling the aroma, feeling the steam surrounding the face, hearing the bubbling or sizzling as the food cooks, taking in the colors, tasting the flavors, noting the textures.

As you chew your food, notice the flavors and how the taste changes. Digestion actually begins in the mouth. Chewing the food incorporates saliva helping to break down the food making it easier on the stomach. Try meditatively eating your next meal. Engage the senses, enjoy every bite and chew at least 30 times. Eat until just before you feel full. Sit quietly for 5 minutes after eating, connecting with your breath and feeling gratitude for your nourishment.