No recipe here. Just some food for thought
And a Question.
Is food simply fuel or something more?
What do you think?
I read an interesting post by Leo at Zen Habits yesterday, espousing his views on our relationship with food and suggesting that the answer might lie in redefining food simply as "fuel" for our bodies, separating ourselves from all its other aspects, both painful and pleasurable.
There is some wisdom in what he's saying and this kind of questioning is great for opening our eyes and expanding our views.
I probably once shared Leo's view. But no more. Here's what I think...
We might be able to use food only as fuel if we were strictly physical beings, but we're not. We are multifaceted. We can't separate our physical selves from our mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic natures without serious repercussions. Our spirits would rebel. Heck, our spirits are rebelling. Everywhere I look I see rebelling spirits. Not ghost like spirits. Souls. Higher-selves. True natures. Whatever you choose to call that wiser part of yourself.
I used to think I could control my body - its longings, messages, and desires by exerting extreme control over it. No longer. I have come to see that my body offers deep wisdom in the messages it sends from my soul. Our bodies, minds, and souls are interwoven and can't be divided, try as we might.
Incredible growth and wisdom is available when we slow down and tune into the signals our bodies are sending us. What if that's what all those ailments -- allergies, headaches, weight gain, cravings, indigestion, ulcers, high blood pressure -- really are? Messages from our bodies to our minds?
What is your body trying to tell you? What are you failing to hear? To see? What is it really hungry for? What are you really hungry for?
I don't think you don't need to cut yourself off from food's pleasures to gain this wisdom. Trust Me. It's counterproductive to your nature. You just need to start tuning in and paying attention. You don't have to try to turn yourself into a machine to lose weight and or be healthy. You don't have to turn away from your culture, society and the joys of eating.
So, what do you think? Is food just fuel or something more?
Okay, I've got that out of my system. Back to cooking and recipes.
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Diana
I think you may be the only person who agreed with me on that post, LOL. I also wrote a post about his article today. I had a strong reaction to the idea that we should (or can) resist the temptation of food except as a means for cell function and survival. This takes all the heart out of food. After all, where does our first food come from? I believe that food is mother, food = attachment and is good.
What makes us overeat in our culture is the lack of nourishment, not its excess. And I’m not talking about eating healthier foods. I’m talking about nourishment like hugging, loving, accepting, acceptance – belonging.
Don’t let anyone talk you into disparaging or avoiding food. Feed your heart and your stomach will have good company.
Martha
Thanks, Diana. I'll be sure to check out your article. You are so right about the lack of nourishment pervading our society. Food is a pleasure that is meant to be enjoyed. We only get into trouble when we use it as a substitute for those other things (love, acceptance, physical contact) we may be lacking.
Sue
I haven't read the article, but I agree with your thoughts. I wish it were so simple to treat food like hard science and only feed our body what it scientifically needs. Being the multifaceted creatures that we are I can't imagine that will ever happen.
julie
I agree totally. Food can be sensual and yummy, and well it should be. There's a world of difference between that and bingeing because you're upset and want to stuff your feelings, or loneliness, etc. And tasty food doesn't have to mean hamburgers and chips, it can be cherries, pasta w/homemade tomato sauce, even a cookie (though perhaps not 5 of them).