Pausing to admire the flowers in the garden nourishes my love of art in nature.

Taking a little time to listen to the Goldberg Variations satisfies my craving for beauty in music.

Is joy a part of cooking and eating? Do you hurry through the thing, just to get it done so you can go out and mow the lawn?

Slow down a little and try engaging all of your senses by actively connecting purpose, tactile sensation, appearance, aroma, and sound, with the deliciousness of a meal or snack.

There is fun and enjoyment in devising a ceremony for food. A handful of nuts placed inside a whimsical china bowl transforms a small snack into a rather more important and filling treat. Wouldn’t it look even prettier with few bits of colorful and nutritious dried fruit?

Today I chose a minimalist black on black stoneware plate to serve as the backdrop for a perfect Fuji apple. It was fun to slice and arrange the juicy slivers into a pretty spiral of off white, red, pink, and yellow. Not only was it gorgeous, but I do believe that, because I paid close attention, the apple had superior aroma and a crispier crunch!

Pause and take a mindful breath. See if you are able to bring the fruit to life in your imagination. Would the picture be as vivid if you had just grabbed any old apple and mindlessly eaten the thing while playing on-line Sudoku? Likely not, as it is the art of paying attention to your senses that make apples so satisfying and memorable. Food remembered is more likely to be logged for successful weight loss.

It’s nice to stop and smell the roses… or the gerbera daisies. I think I’ll also stop and see, smell, feel, listen to, and taste an orange – hmmmm, which of my bowls would look best with an orange?

Peace,

Janice