Julie & Julia - The Art of Mindful Eating

I just watched Julie & Julia and I have to say, it was highly uplifting. I love the way both women thoroughly appreciated their food. In one of the first scenes while Julia is in Paris, a waiter filets a fish for her. She leans into the fish as he removes the bones, unable to wait another moment to dive her fork into the flesh. She places the plate just under her husband's nose. "Not bad," he seems to say, but Julia is beaming while she licks her fingers with each bite. How many times have we sat down and taken a moment to smell the aromas of the food we're eating? What are the spices that are used? How do the meld together?

We are so fixated on what we're supposed to eat that we often forget that one of the purposes of eating is to enjoy the experience.

If we took just a moment, just a pause, to bring the fork up to our mouth, smell the food and chew it...that is, appreciate the simple act of eating...I venture to bet that maybe, just maybe, that we wouldn't have such an obesity problem

So, during this holiday season, sit back, relax, chew your food and enjoy your company. This is the start to mindful eating and, through mindfulness, you will learn to trust what your body tells you it needs.

Have a Happy, Joyous and Healthy Holiday filled with laughter and delicious food!