Celebrations

One of my teachers once said in a lecture , "The richest meal eaten with close family and friends has more Qi in it and is better for you, than the healthiest meal eaten alone."

This concept always stuck with me as a reminder to enjoy Life, enjoy the company of our loved ones, and sometimes not worry so much about "being good." Food, of course, has Qi/Energy - which gives us our nourishment; and the more fresh, less processed our food is, the more Qi we derive from it. But we also get nourishment from our environment and from the people around us. As we embark on the Labor Day weekend, I think it is important to remember that how and where we eat is just as important as what we eat.

If you're not so sure about what I'm saying try this little experiment..... Picture in your mind a time when you went out to dinner with your best friends, or had a party with family, and you had wine, cheeses, rich meats, or sinful desserts. There was laughter and jokes, people telling stories, and you're having a wonderful, relaxed time. Maybe some of the food choices weren't "perfect" that evening, but how did you feel? Did you feel energized, relaxed, uplifted? ...Now picture eating the purest, healthiest meal you could possibly prepare, but this time you are all alone. How do you feel? All the nutrition is there, all the best ingredients are there, but something is missing.....

Now this isn't to say that eating alone can't be enjoyable (it certainly can be), or that when eating at parties you can't make healthy food choices (of course you can!). ....What I'm getting at, is that sometimes we need to be kind to ourselves and let ourselves come out to play. This weekend maybe you're going to a beach party, or a BBQ at a friend's house, or going out of town and staying at a nice hotel. Rather than spending the whole time counting calories or telling yourself "no, you can't have that!", let yourself play! Enjoy the food that friends have made with love, try that chocolate ganache that is calling to you from the dessert cart, and enjoy yourself. You can always do some extra time on the treadmill at the gym, or walk that extra mile around the lake on Tuesday.

Enjoy your holidays!!

Pat