Coming from a family of fast eaters who would come home late after working late in the family business, meal time was never really a ceremonious time.
With the loss of ritual at meal times due to the interruption of the incessant TV and addiction to fast food, the apparent conclusion of saying “grace” at the family table (even amongst the families that I join at meal times that are religious), I find that our meals are often consumed with a great deal of mindlessness. Consumed and sometimes also prepared that way. My husband says you should always prepare a meal with love – it always shows.
One of the repercussions of this habit is that we eat too much, and chew too little. A double whammy load on the digestive system.
When food is not cooked or crushed enough when consumed, we are less able to extract the vital elements for nourishment. Without yielding any facts, it seems to me that a great deal of people seem to suffer from constipation, irritable or leaky bowel, and food intolerances. Do you think there may be a connection (and other correlations too) between these nuisance illnesses and our digestive choices? – starting from the microcosm – how we chew and how much.
Swami Rama says in his Guilde to Holistic Health to chew each mouthful for at least thirty-five times! If you do this, you cannot overeat and will loose weight easily. Extra saliva is produced and stomach acids increase, aiding digestion and avoiding bits of undigested food matter ending up in the large intestine – which is never a good thing. He also says to create a good mood whilst eating, otherwise the food will turn into poison. Likewise, if you are angry whilst eating you will not be able to produce enough stomach acid due to the anxiety and stress.
Food for thought eh?
Even if you don’t say grace (and honestly I don’t know anyone that does) lately I have been taking a moment to give silent thanks and gratitude to the creature that has perished, even if I am not eating flesh. Its nice to cultivate gratitude for your meal which works for me as it helps me feel calmer and more civilised.
Even if the kids are hanging off the rafters and eating with their fingers again and wiping them on the chair….