Creating Harmony Around the Dinner Table
Feeding people, especially one’s family, is a sacred task. This is why I have embraced the Living Foods lifestyle. Everything about it brings harmony. It has been so exciting, yet not without its challenges. My husband comes from a well-meaning Italian family; meat, pasta, bread and cheese dominate every celebration. Being RAW is tricky- you learn to plan ahead. I fill us up with Green Smoothies; bring the salads, fruit platters and raw desserts. Then I let go and enjoy the party! Being flexible and adaptable is a sign of good mental health. ‘A little of what you fancy does you good’ and being rigid is more stressful than allowing occasional compromises, especially when it comes to the kids!
HARMONY IS HEALTHY AND PLEASURABLE
I have learned that an over emphasis on food can mar the entire experience and though I am Raw and convinced it is the best way to go, I do not judge. Having traveled the world, I was always touched by the loving (not stressful) relationship other cultures had to their food. Be it Asia, South America, Australia or Europe, the focus was never on calories or health per se. The central theme seemed to be about PLEASURE. Everything about food brought enjoyment: The beautiful way food is displayed in local markets, artfully prepared and gracefully served and shared. HOW we eat, our state of being is as important as WHAT we eat. When we eat on the run, while driving, watching TV or reading the news, while standing up… Where is the sanctity, or nourishment in that?
WHAT’S EATING YOU?
Sadder still is how everyone here is on a diet- even pre-teens! All the dieting in the world won’t guarantee physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. And no matter how much we binge we still remain hungry and empty on some level. Mindfully eating with our senses fully open and awake will we be truly nurtured and fed. When I fully understood the damage of ‘shoulding’ on my family over food I determined that I needed to find ways of bringing harmony. Here are some rituals to re-establish a more balanced, peaceful connection with our food:
RITUALS THAT BRING SANCTUARY AROUND OUR EATING
*When preparing a meal for yourself or the family, light a little candle just for YOU.
*Think about ways to charge the atmosphere with excitement, connection, calm, or fun.
*Put on some music to enjoy, or sing, chant or pray- this relaxes you and puts your energy, your love into the food- which is the most important ingredient!
*Set a beautiful table with fresh flowers, a centerpiece of leaves, pine cones, berries, acorns, sea shells or crystals- something lovely to reflect the season.
*Use the ‘good dishes’ and simple but cared-for linens.
*Clear away remnants of work, mail, phone, etc.
*After hands are washed and everyone is assembled, light the dinner candle.
We all enjoy holding hands and singing the blessing. (I love to take this moment to see the light in my family’s eyes) Then the feast begins! I encourage my little tigers to take their time and really savor every bite. Whatever I serve it will be of the freshest, mostly raw ingredients prepared with love, and eaten in gratitude.
Having a loving and healthy family is the pinnacle of success and pleasure for me.
SHANNON LEONE created a documentary about raising raw kids and un-schooling called RAISING CHILDREN RAISES US www.rawmom.com
14 Comments
I like the rituals you suggest. It’s important to make a space in our crazy life to set and enjoy with all our senses the food that nurture our soul, body and mind! Thanks for sharing, and I do love your blog!
Lau-raw ;)
This was a very inspiring post. It has encouraged me to consider what really is eating me!
love this and your blog outstanding!
we need lots more raw moms in the world!
deb
Thanks so much guys, I love knowing you are there!
One thing I neglected to share about saying the blessing before we eat- Does anyone know why this is so important regardless of being religious or not…? Its actually to slow us down long enough to shift gears, and actually get into alignment with our meal. Its ALL about good digestion because what’s the point in eating even a pure raw organic pristine diet
if you’re not going to assimilate it…?
Now Breeeeeathe xoShannon
This is sooooOooo true. So many times I have made something really simple to eat (e.g. salad – tomatoes, lettuce and cukes), and my friends and/or family have commented that it was SO good. “That’s the best salad I’ve ever had”. I’ve never quite understood why they would say this, because it was so simple. But now I understand it’s because (as you said) I’ve put my energy and my love into the food. Love this blog!! ^_^
Shannon, I love love love this article!! Couldn’t agree with it more. I’ve totally done the candle thing… works the same with doing dishes. I think ideas like yours will allow your family to know how much you value them and how can they NOT value themselves and others after that? Fabulous and PRACTICLE aritcle.
Thanks so much for your insight! very practical indeed. Why is that the US is like that with food?? weird.
Shannon, I can NEVER get enough of your loving, nurturing words of wisdom!! Every time I read something from you it resonates within me in such a deep level and I am ALWAYS inspired to be better, to do things more consciously and to breath a little bit deeper.
Shannon, another great article! I want to just echo what Sonya wrote. I do so resonate with everything you say! Thanks so much for your inspirations. From another unschooling raw mom,
???,
Jacki
Those’ ???’ above were supposed to be hearts… got lost somewhere in virtual translation land….
Love,
Jacki
hahaha! you are so funny Jacki- that made me laugh out loud! thank you for clarifying, and especially for ‘hearting’ me! I am beaming love and light to you all. Thank you for being in my life everyone! xo
I came form a family that ate dinner at the dining room table, (Minus dad due to the fact her worked the 3-11 shift) and so I have carried on that tradition.
Due to retail schedule sin this house there are times there are all four of us and other times just two. But we still seem to manage.
I hear tons of people say all the time that that eat together as a family, then the supply me with the information that it is on TV trays while watching a show or movie. That’s OK if there is only a bowl of popcorn involved, but other than that, get your behind to the dining room table. Is it not called a dining table for a reason. Correct me if I am wrong.
I know people who have GRAND tables and they are sitting there collecting dust. Dinner tables serve so many more purposes that just dining. They serve as a place to mingle, talk, converse, share things…like conversation with your children about proper dating rituals. You get my drift.
There are times we will spend close to one hour at the dining room table when thee actual meal only took 15 minutes.
Take the time to relax and enjoy your family it will pay off for you in the end.
Shannon, you are the penultimate domestic engineering goddess. I love you!!
Great post! I just love your blog. I always feel better when I have a ritual. I need to do it more often though.
April 2, 2009