Do you wander aimlessly around the kitchen looking for something to eat when you’re hungry?
Or grab the first thing you see in the fruit bowl, because it’s there?
Here’s what I do, I get quiet. I relax. All other matters fade from my mind as I enter the sacred space of my kitchen. It’s time to feed my soul as well as my body and brain. Meditative cooking.
The Meditative Approach
Mindful of my love of food as medicine and soul sustenance, I explore the choices before me with a more meditative approach; ‘how will it feel to taste and chew this? Is the texture that I want? ‘What will this food do for me?’
Closing my eyes and breathing deeply. I imagine my brain calmly anticipating of the flavors of my favorite foods being prepared and consumed in our kitchen. Will they fill the house with inviting aromas that stimulate my appetite or just satisfy my current desire?
Do I want the smooth and mouth warming taste of ghee or the natural sweetness of cashew butter with the brain-feeding fats for energy? Or is it time for a crunchy stalk of celery and some savory hummus to fill my inner urges for the tranquil enjoyment of a mid-day meal?
It could be the protein and fat intrinsic in the hard-boiled eggs I made yesterday. Or the savory chicken thighs that call to my olfactory senses, (which are the strongest ones we have), and ponder adding some spicy mustard or other condiment and fulfill my longing to satisfy the need for that special taste or texture. That’s the practical approach.
Trust Your Intuition
As I search the pantry or refrigerator I allow it to call to me. I reach my hand in to pluck with anticipation some goodness from its shelf. And sometimes my intuition says, ‘nope, that’s not it,’ and the item is returned to the shelf.
I consider food a blessing. Especially for those of us who work from home, who might often raid the pantry without thinking of eating well to feed our brains and sustain our energy.
Yes, I AM a foodie, but I usually don’t just grab anything that’s convenient or easy. I innately consider the unavoidable effects it may have on the next couple of hours I spend in my office, or the impact on my partner, or anyone we invite to join us and partake in our meals.
I love to cook. I love to feed people. I believe intuition is an important part of creating a truly delicious and special dish or meal, even something as humdrum as a bowl of oatmeal to – make it more than ‘just breakfast.’
Rarely is it, ‘I’m home, hungry, and I’ll just grab some nuts or cereal, and a glass of something, that’ll fill me up for now.’ Incidentally, there’s no cereal in our house – well, except for three kinds of oatmeal.
And you? Think about it. Really think about it. Get quiet and ruminate on the last meal you really enjoyed.
Are you caring for the only body you have in this life? If you don’t take care of it, where are you going to live?
Inspirational Cooking
Meditation and cooking seem to me almost synonymous – in the sense that I rarely feel bothered, nervous, self-conscious, or intimidated in the kitchen. It’s my happy room, where I can use my intuition, meditate, and express my feelings, and put lots of love and care into the food I prepare and serve myself and others. I think I’ll call it “medi-create”
I usually have the chance to contemplate, check the pantry, and allow my creative juices to flow! My sweetie says I create ‘gourmet meals from nothing in the refrigerator.’
Oh, did I mention having music that relaxes me as I medi-create? For me, it’s an additional sensual and inspirational part of the meditative process that helps me get into a rhythm as I select, wash, chop, combine, season, and cook. Rather like “chopping wood and carrying water.”
I find myself in reverie – contemplating the end results of combining different spices and foods for their incredible aromas, colors, and flavors that lead to a sort of an edible coda or finale, as the preparation ends and serving begins. The plan is then to enjoy the meal with gusto.
Each musical genre creates a different mood that inspires me to move about the chopping block with intention. I find music helps me ‘unfocus,’ as I hum and discover foods that beg to be combined for a taste treat. It’s truly meditative and finger-lickin’ fun.
Music – Intuitive Inventiveness
Why eat blah, when, with a little intuitive inventiveness, you can have scrumptious?
And so, the music goes on, sometimes it’s cool jazz, (baking with Brubeck is a treat), or if I’m really in the mood for mixing an elaborate stew or combining a variety of left-overs, I’ll go for some classical guitar sones and danzónes, or thoughtful concertos from Rodrigo or even Mozart.
I also consider the body a miraculous symphony of organs and systems as they work together to help us digest and utilize the nourishment we ingest. We are what we eat in more ways than one.
We are miracles – which I think most of us forget, or maybe never even consider, as we crunch tortilla chips and wash them down with a carbonated drink while standing up and talking on our cell phones. Are you willing to live well in that body you have?
Meditation and food preparation seem to bring it all together for me. It’s not a consciously programmed recipe creating; rather a meditative flow of what I feel or think tastes good and will make me feel good, satiated, and energized enough to return to my other tasks with enthusiasm.
If it’s dinner, afterward, I can relax even more, knowing I have done my intuitive best and enjoy the rest of the evening with my man or my friends.
Contemplation, Creation, Presentation
A dear friend reminded me once that we eat first with our eyes. Eye appeal begins the journey of taste appeal. Food does have emotional power…but that’s another article.
So, what does that have to do with meditating and food? Does an obviously dried out piece of meat or limp rusting lettuce in your salad appeal to you?
It is important for food to look good as well as taste great. Contemplating and creating a pretty presentation of your food adds to the appeal and to the flavor.
Where Your Intuition plays its Part
It can help you create a work of culinary art using colors, shapes, sizes, and arrangements on a plate, bowl, charcuterie board or table. Intuition, if you follow it, will guide your visual placements that add to the desirability and flavor in more ways than even the spices you use.
Meditating before and while I prepare food provides me with ideas and ‘nudges’ for creating new combinations and trying new, and even some older textures and tastes.
Speaking of nudges, as I was leaving my favorite bookstore last Sunday afternoon, I got a strange ‘hit’ from my intuition: “Chyavanprash.” It’s an Ayurvedic nourishing paste, which strengthens digestion, supports immune function and energy. It has a spicy, sweet/savory, unmistakable unique flavor. I had not tasted it for years, but for some reason, my body said, ‘get some.’
And since I’ve learned to follow those nudges, I found my way to the nearest Indian grocery store and bought a jar of the stuff. I could almost taste it as I drove home. When I arrived, I couldn’t wait to open and grab a spoonful. My intuition told me, Close your eyes, and savor it with satisfaction. My intuition was right, it was sensually wonderful and satisfying.
Bottom line, follow those nudges, your intuition, your meditative hits, whatever you want to call them when preparing food. From my perspective, it is a fundamental, vital part of naturally creating what is yours to enjoy and share it with the universe.
It’s a valuable way to live your life and create incredible food from your kitchen. Bon appétit!
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