[CHANGES] Take the Last Bite First

[Sandra K. Ahten]

CHANGES

A Newsletter by Sandra Ahten

Have you ever rushed through your meal--barely taking a breath, let
alone setting down your fork--when suddenly it dawns on you that it
is about gone, and so you slow down and really taste that last bite?
Salle, a Weight Watcher leader from the St. Louis area, has these
words of wisdom: "Take your last bite -- first. Sounds trite, but a
lot of times when we have a great dessert we eat it fast until we get
to that marvelous, last bite. That one we savor. We let it dissolve
in our mouth slowly so that we get total enjoyment out of it. Great!
Just have that last bite!"

She says that when she goes out to eat with her husband, he orders
the dessert, and she takes a small bit of it on her plate. She waits
until everyone else is almost finished, then takes her "last bite."

Are you slowing down and savoring your food? Do you eat consciously?
The more you savor the subtle qualities of food, the less you might
need the instant gratification that high sugar, high salt, and big
quantities of food give. Here are some ideas that may help you stay
in the here and now.

- Use a special table setting.
- Light a candle and have a moment of silence to remind you to be
thankful for the food.
- Take your food to a different location -- outside on the patio, to
a park, to a friend's house, to your bedroom.
- Turn off the TV and put down the newspaper.
- Sit down at the table.
- Choose your food carefully. Ask yourself what you're really hungry
for. Don't eat something you don't care for just because it fits in
your "calorie range." There are many options.

Lynn Ginsburg and Mary Taylor, authors of "What Are You Hungry For?
Women, Food, and Spirituality" offer this: "The practice of conscious
eating is one way to connect to your personal sense of spirituality.
Being conscious means that you are tapping into your core. The
seemingly simple act of having the intention to stay conscious as you
eat, and maintain attention to the process of eating, can completely
alter your relationship with food. In this way the act of eating
becomes a vital link to your personal purpose."

Be conscious of your food throughout the planning, buying, and
preparing processes also. Allow yourself enough time to grocery shop,
go a different store, shop at the farmers market. Find a special
recipe; cook with a friend or family member. Enjoy your food this
week. Enjoy your life.

Sincerely,
Sandra

©2002 by Sandra Ahten


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