They say it’s not healthy to love food, but I do. I guess it’s healthy to love celery…but does anyone really LOVE celery? Maybe there is someone. Even as a healthy chick, I still love cheese fries. But a healthy love, not a negative one. I’m picky about which place I get them from and know I can’t have them all the time. I savor them. I also do love healthy food too. It teaches me how to be present. I am a spazz. I’m thinking, talking, writing, and buzzing around like a bee. Ceratin things like food ground me. I don’t mean eat a ton of food so you don’t feel spacey. Try this experiment. Next time you are eating, take it all in.

This starts if you are cooking it too. Put some love in it. Look at the colors, smell the ingredients, and even put some music on. I don’t always have time or energy to do this, but when I eat, I eat. I don’t scarf down food or shove in my mouth (although eating cheese fries looks like that probably). Something simple like eating berries can be an extraordinary experience. The colors and bursting flavors are Technicolor magic for the body, eyes, and belly. Today when I put my blueberries and raspberries into my oatmeal, it was like the best meal I ever had.

I’ll take you through being present when eating and experiencing what food love is like. As I took the spoon and stirred the yummy goodness, I took in the beauty. I microwaved 1/2 cup dry whole oats, cup of water, handful of blueberries and raspberries, dash of cinnamon and packet of Stevia. The turn of the spoon revealed the pinks, purples, reds, and blues beneath of the pale oatmeal color. It was so pretty and I leaned in and the steam created a dreamy smell that came up and kissed my nose. It was the first time I added raspberry. I didn’t have enough blueberries so I gave it a whirl. There was a crunch from the berries too and I thought next time I’ll add some chopped up almonds. Maybe I’ll toast them first. Food excites me and so does creating recipes and cooking. It’s therapeutic when I am in the mood for it. This kind of self-care is self-love for the body, mind, and spirit. It’s a great thing to remind our kids about as we share how we are grateful for our meal.