Day 36 - Garlic Lemon Chicken Fajitas

The product of boredom.

Tonight on the menu was yet another intense full-body craving item. The desire was triggered by a simple Mexican inspired salad at the local coffee joint, Seven Suns.

It was a Sunday morning and besides the request from my daughter to play bunnies in the bathtub we could not come up with something to do that was collectively received by the family tribunal. It is not that I do not like being silly and spending time with my daughter in that kid-like way, because I do. I value the moments of pure idiocy as we throw our bodies onto her bed only to be catapulted back onto the floor - the pain more hilarious every time we attempt. Lately, though, there is dissension in the ranks of play land. It seems that my ideas or tangent in the game are not being received well.

"Mommy! The bunny is magical and cannot get eaten by a crocodile!" Cammie declares. I shoot her a cynical look. She is on to me. I want to end the game and the bunny-hungry creatures of my creation are making her frustrated.

"Why? That makes no sense! The bunny is a vulnerable animal with absolutely no defense system."

"Mommmmmm!"

"I mean, you have aptly described the ecosystem of bunny land and it is only natural for predators to not only exist but to be running rampant." 

The compromise was to go to the local cafe, buy some lunch and take a card deck to play Spit. I thought we had a blast - but later when I looked on my camera I saw the pictures to the left. I think she was bored.

When Cammie's order arrived I realized how hungry I was. The dark, black sliced olives in the corner beckoned me. The avocado slices and caramelized, fajita-seasoned chicken strips lay as a moist masterpiece on top. The moment I put a combo of the three (with a little lemon vinaigrette mixed in) onto a fork and then on my palate I knew I had to recreate it in mass at home.

Garlic Lemon Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon cilantro
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 pounds of free range chicken breast, cut into think strips
1 small red bell pepper, sliced thinly
1 small green bell pepper, sliced thinly
1 medium yellow onion, sliced thinly
2 garlic cloves, diced
More salt to taste
Corn Tortillas
Avocado
Salsa
Spinach
Cheese

Directions:

Mix the juices, oil, salt and all of the spices in a bowl. Measure out 1/4 cup of the marinade and place aside. Place the chicken strips in the bowl and mix, using your hands to massage the solution into the chicken. Let sit and marinate while you continue to prepare the meal.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees to prepare to toast the tortillas.

In a large heated skillet on medium high heat some olive oil and begin cooking the onions until they are translucent. Add in the sliced bell peppers and garlic and cook until tender (about 5 minutes). Add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook until heated through (8-10 minutes). Add more salt and cumin to taste.

Heat the tortillas in the oven, grate the cheese, and slice the avocado. Spoon the fajita chicken mixture into a corn tortilla and add your favorite toppings (I ate it in a bowl with salsa spooned on top).

Enjoy!!

Nat

Day 35 - Italian Tonno Vegetable Salad

In the two-time sit down exercise post I did last month I featured one of my favorite salads that is both hearty and down right delicious on a winter evening. Here it is:

Warm Italian Tonno Vegetable Salad

Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients:

1-1/2 Pounds of Purple Potatoes (or Yukon Gold, Red Skin, whatever is your favorite), diced in cubes
1 Pound of Green Beans, trimmed and cut in half
8 Medium Roma Tomatoes, diced into chunks
1 Bunch of Scallion, sliced
1 16 Oz. Can of Olives
2 Cans of Chunk Light Tuna, drained
1 Bushel of Fresh Basil, chopped
2 Tbls. Chopped Oregano Leaves
1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbls. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Lemon, Juiced
1 Teaspoon of Himalayan Crystal Salt or Celtic Sea Salt
1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Directions: 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add potatoes and cook until tender, 6-8 minutes. Use a strainer to dip into the water and remove the potatoes, placing them in a large salad bowl. Add the green beans to the pot and cook just for 3 minutes (we still want them bright green and crispy) adding them to the potatoes. Add the tomatoes, olives, scallions, drained tuna, garlic and chopped basil.

In a separate dish make the dressing. Combine the oregano, lemon juice, and vinegar. Slowly pour in the olive oil and add in the salt and pepper. Toss the dressing with the warm salad, adding more salt and olive oil to taste.

Serve immediately.

Nat

Day 34 - Decadent Curry Chicken Stew

After some requests for the amazing chicken curry I talked about in a previous blog I decided to post the recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Free Range Chicken Breast, Sliced
2 Cans of Whole Coconut Milk
4 T of Curry Powder (to taste)
1 Bag frozen Butternut Squash Cubes
2 Carrots, Sliced
1 Head of Broccoli, Chopped
2 Cups of Crimini Mushrooms, Sliced
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Onion, Diced
2 Cloves Garlic, Diced
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

Saute onion in a soup pot until they are carmelized (about 3 minutes). Add the carrots and red bell pepper and saute for another 5 minutes. Add in the remaining vegetables and garlic and stir fry for another 5 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add the curry powder to taste and cover for another 10 minutes. Add in the chicken, and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer until the chicken is still moist but cooked through (another 5-10 minutes).

Serve with brown rice and garnish with cilantro.

Make sure to read my blog on the superfood coconut to remind you of the benefits you could be receiving from this creamy stew!

Nat

Day 33 - Flat Tire Complex

THE FLAT TIRE COMPLEX: When we allow external friction to make or break our day.  

Driving home at a leisurely pace my daughter and I were talking about what play food we were going to get at the grocery store for our slumber party that night. We were both elated. We had been waiting all week for this night; her getting through many days of babysitting by grandma and subsequent boredom while I rushed through the week to finally have a chance to soak in her company.

The same ol' usual storefronts and quaint houses rolled by as pockets of streetlights illuminated Cammie's sparkly t-shirt in rolling waves. As a car passed in the opposite lane the front of a suicide-mission car was revealed right after only inches from my driver's seat door. I could see the two young teenagers in the front seat of the low lying car. I swerved to the right and a crunching impact reverberated through our car. Pulling to a parking space on the side of the street I turned to my daughter.

"You okay?"

"Yes." She mumbled, a bit in shock.

"Stay here." I said, hardly even waiting for her answer, as I catapulted myself out of the car with adrenaline pumping and anger coursing up from my wobbly legs. I approached their door, cussing and making large gestures with my hands. The teenager boy's face was emotionally wounded and apologetic. I heard a hissing sound as he cautiously eased his way out of his vehicle and vehemently apologized. I turned around to see my back left tire was slowly dying. It went flat.

I have been in car accidents before - way worse in scope and potential than this one. In a lot of ways it was not a big deal. Everyone was physically fine and resolution will be easy. For some reason though the rest of the evening was challenging. I could not relax and the tension and sheer anger was affecting my every thought. I could not sleep and now, throughout the day, I have felt like a troll; walking around ready to pounce on anything or anyone.

The Flat Tire Complex is something that everyone of us has experienced. Some event occurred that triggered a cascade of negative emotion so persistent or intense that climbing out of it can seem daunting if not impossible. It is the dynamic of allowing our reaction to an experience influence and affect every moment thereafter. The Flat Tire Complex is essentially dwelling on a feeling of deflated and dis-empowered thinking, instead of processing and letting go.

We all have a Flat Tire Complex weak spot. Perhaps we dwell on creative criticism or a insult given by a stranger. Maybe someone cutting us off in traffic or in line can ruin our whole day. Something as simple as slipping and falling on the way to the car in the morning or an argument with a spouse can set the tone for the rest of the week.

What do we do when, as Bono from U2 says, "we are stuck in a moment that we can't get out of?"

1. Practice the Power of Three Exercise. This is taking the thoughts that were created or conjured up from the negative reaction of the experience and viewing them from a different, more positive perspective. Here are examples of mine this morning with three alternate thoughts to counter it:
1. I am so angry at this idiot.
• Everyone makes mistakes and false judgments. 
• I know loved ones who have been in his exact shoes.
• It must be challenging to be the person at fault. 
2. I am not capable. If I were, this would not have happened.
• I did a great job. I immediately responded by swerving and minimizing impact.
• This was not my fault. 
• I am strong and handled myself very well (potty mouth aside).
2. Distraction: Although distractions during eating are not a good thing - distractions from negative flat tire thinking can be a catalyst for a whole new mood experience. 
1. I called my best friend and vented for three messages.
2. I did 30 push ups and felt my body become strong and grateful.
3. I wrote this blog.
3. Relaxation: The Flat Tire Complex is essentially maintaining a holding pattern of stress. If we can somehow bring ourselves out of the stress cycle we can pump ourselves up. 
1. I consciously began taking deeper breaths. 
2. I did more push ups (this helps me relax for some reason).
3. I closed my eyes and imagined the Italian countryside that we will go to for vacation.
4. Visualization: No matter what feeling you are having in your body there is one simple way to dissolve it. Your brain does not know the difference between when you imagine something and when you are actually physically experiencing it in the hologram of reality (think about how real dreams feel!). Here are two that I employed today.
1. Resolution Visualization: Imagine the situation or experience that you are holding onto becoming resolved. See all people involved smiling, happy and content. It is important to imagine it after the fact and not to get caught up in the details of how it will happen. Just imagine the end product of success. For me it was imagining myself having a new slumber party next week with my daughter with everything behind me. 
2. Rewrite the Main Character Visualization: This one is fun! Rewrite history and imagine that you reacted totally different than you did previously. This is about taking what you have learned and applying it to the situation. This helped me A LOT! I imagined that I was like Jason Bourne in the Bourne Identity, scanning over every headlight and responding subtly with my driving. I was able to maneuver around the chaotic driver before they could interact with my car. I did another rewrite where I still got hit but treated the situation with absolute hilarity. I got out of the car, got the information I needed and then proceeded to ask the man to go get me an ice cream cone. "Do it. Do it." Cammie would totally be the cowboy character saying it behind me.

When you have a really bad day, and you have a bad case of the Flat Tire Complex, nip it in the butt with the above suggestions. And know that someone else has been there.

Nat

Day 32 - Clean Your Plate Syndrome

I was eating a delicious salad and not enjoying it as much as I would have liked. The thick balsamic vinaigrette with a hint of honey that I loved was nixed by the deli and a sour, runny version put in its place. The food critic in me was amazed at how the sauce could make or break the tone and satisfaction factor of the meal. How disappointed I was that it was not meeting my expectations.

My table was right next to a window overlooking the parking lot. People were arriving and leaving with my oddity-of-self watching them, having no concern of politeness for staring. I loved trying to guess what the conversation was like before each exited their car.

After glancing down for a long moment at my meal I saw out of the corner of my eye a threesome coming toward the window. It was an elderly man with a weathered leathery face. With him were two young boys, one that looked around four years old and the other most likely my daughter's age of around eight or nine. The man took position next to a tree by the entrance and instructed the children to play in the dirt below. With not a single moment of hesitation they began an imaginary game, eyes wide and excited to be set loose. The man pulled out a piece of cardboard. It was from a cracker box and when it was turned over it said, "Out of Gas" with a smiley face below. The way he revealed it spoke volumes. He hesitated for a brief moment, as if exposing it would cause a barrage of stones to be thrown his direction and then hung his head low while people passed. Out of gas means out of money. Out of money means little or no food. How could I sit here and enjoy this meal (or be critical of its taste), when just feet away from me children may be going without?

With these realities near or in our experience one 'how of eating' belief can become difficult to heal; the 'clean your plate' belief. This is a syndrome characterized by a need or desire to finish everything that is on our plate, without regard for our own physical needs, because of deep-rooted beliefs of lack.

Do you find that you always finish what you serve yourself or what is given to you? Do you ever ask yourself why? Why do you finish what is on the plate if you are actually satisfied or full? Here are the most common answers from clients who have the Clean Your Plate Syndrome:

• Out of pure habit.
• Because my parents taught me to clean my plate.
• Some people are starving so I should be grateful and consume whatever I am given.
• It tastes so good! I just want to eat as much as I can because it is pleasurable.
• I get distracted and just eat until there is no more.
• I paid for it so I am going to finish it!
• It feels satisfying to finish something.

Some of the time we insist on eating until everything is gone because of cost; we want to get the best value. Other times it can be because of distraction; we rely on external cues like our fork hitting an empty plate to tell us when to stop. The most common clean your plate belief though has to do with something deeply emotional and personal; the fear of not enough. 

The morality of 'finishing' is deeply embedded in many of us. Perhaps our parents went through the depression or even something as traumatic as the holocaust and taught us that tomorrow we truly may not have what our body needs - so we better eat today. We may even have experienced first hand starvation or going without food for long periods of time from poverty. Some clients were part of a big family and felt like the runt puppy in a litter, not feeling capable or strong enough to get the milk they needed. Whatever the source the bottom line is that we get the signal that 'tough times' can creep up at any moment and preparing, by holding on to each morsel today, is the best defense.

Healing your Clean Your Plate Syndrome is actually a powerful method to become a healthier more, 'in tune' eater. Here are ways that an intuitive eater views these beliefs:

• Children are starving in Africa: Who has not heard this argument from their parents? The reasoning does not make sense. Consuming more from our plate does not have any consequence on people who are starving. If you really do care about the state of humanity then take the energy that you have from not stuffing yourself (and eating until you are satisfied) and use it to fund-raise or volunteer in your community.
• Being wasteful is immoral and selfish: Cleaning your plate is wasteful in its own right if you are not truly hungry anymore. The food is not digested and utilized as well and thus provides less true energy. You may end up putting on more weight or eat so much that you purge. Your health suffers and society takes the bill. True waste comes from individuals who are not achieving their highest health potential. The beauty of awake eating is that the more you tune into your body's signals, the more efficient you become at ascertaining your dietary and portion needs. 
• It tastes good: When we are truly present for the pleasurable sensations of food and our body we know when to stop. The issue is usually that we appreciate the food and at the same time disregard the friendship and camaraderie of the body.
• I have accomplished something: I tell my clients that we are artists and food is our sculpture. If we are using food as a way to feel a sense of completeness then what does that say about our life? Why are we not gaining enough satisfaction and creative reward from accomplishing other tasks in our life? True achievement comes from leaving food when you know that your body has had enough and moving on to the reason why we eat in the first place - to enjoy other things.  
• Others do not have, so I should be grateful for every bit: As was the case for me at the deli. Yet again, this reasoning does not stand up to common sense. Would ignoring my body's cues and continuing to eat when I am no longer hungry be a sign of gratitude? That would be like continuing to fill up the gas tank in our car even though it was overflowing while we say how much we value it. The value level comes not from the amount taken in or whether we 'finish' off the supply but rather from utilizing its potential energy in the best, most efficient way possible.

Studies have shown that nearly all of us serve ourselves amounts of food that really have nothing to do with anything. We serve portions depending on the amount that is in the pot or dish, how many choices there are, who we are with and where we are. These are all external factors that have no precedence over what the body really needs. How do we bypass this and discover what amount of food will truly nourish us and not weigh us down? Letting go of the Clean Your Plate Syndrome! Here are some simple tips:

• Trashcan Your Food Exercise: Go out and buy a food item that you know you are only going to eat a portion of, acknowledging that you are going to throw it away when you are comfortably satisfied. Do this a couple times a week until you get comfortable with honoring your internal signals.
• Taper Down Exercise: At every meal practice leaving just a teaspoon-worth of food on your plate gradually increasing amounts as you get comfortable. Sometimes I do this and notice that I have more energy and feel more empowered by doing so (as long as I am honoring my body's needs).
• Appetizer Dining Exercise: Instead of using big dinner plates at your next meal, use small snack plates. Serve yourself small portions of the food, knowing that you will go back for seconds, thirds or fourths should you feel the need. This will allow you to get used to serving smaller portions and not feeling the need to pile a plate high (and then end up having to throw a portion away should you honor your fullness.)
• Two-Time Sit Down Exercise: Click here to read about it. This exercise can help teach you how to listen to your body while also detaching from the power of 'accomplishing' the whole meal.

The Clean Your Plate Syndrome does nothing for us, people in need or humanity as a whole. It teaches us to rely on external factors when eating and perpetuates the true cause of imbalances, eating disorders and health issues; pushing away our own intuitive nature and internal sensations.

Nat

Day 31 - I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts, Diddly Dee

Yesterday evening I was famished. It was already 6:00PM and I needed to pick up my daughter from gymnastics, go to the grocery store and make dinner. I thought, 'Geez, that is going to take a good hour and a half. I am hungry now!' I could go and get take-out somewhere or buy something easy to throw into the oven but I knew that my body was in need of something special. All that I could think about was a warm bowl of golden coconut curry. I was going to make it happen.

I ended up making the most delicious thai-inspired meal that night. As my family and I sat down at the table to eat I was transported to eden. The way the creamy coconut milk base coated my tongue and throat was divine. The moist pieces of chicken paired with slightly crispy disks of carrot and medallions of mushroom fulfilled a richness that I had been needing all week. The rain pittered-pattered outside and inside I was warm, comforted and satiated. I ended up needing only half a bowl that nourished me well into bedtime.

The next morning my skin was more radiant and the fatigue I had experienced the day before vanished. I honored what I wanted, listened to my body and could see that my body was thanking me for listening to its needs.

How many of us disregard what we feel we need because thoughts like, 'that food is too fatty, too rich or has too many calories' filter their way in?

What your body is telling you is always taking you in the direction of well-being if you can learn how to decipher its messages.

My craving for creamy coconut was absolutely no coincidence and I knew it. Coconut is truly a superfood.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY COCONUT IS A SUPERFOOD

1. High in Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes and Antioxidants. The majority of Americans are deficient in antioxidants and other nutrients. These substances fight stress!
2. Easily Digested. Coconut doesn’t require any pancreatic enzymes for digestion! It contains certain fatty acids that have been used in clinical treatment of patients with digestion and absorption problems. This is great for people who have a hard time digesting fats, or whose gallbladders have been removed.
3. Immunity. Coconut's lauric, caprylic and capric acids provide amazing immune-enhancing benefits! They are proven antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal agents that strengthen your immune system. It helps your body fight disease organisms such as: 
1. Viruses like herpes, measles, and HIV
2. Bacteria, such as listeria (food poisoning), streptococcus, and staphylococcus.
3. Protozoa (parasites) like giardia lamlia.
4. Healthy Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA). MCFA's are saturated fats that the body can digest and burn easier than long chain fatty acids (like in cheese, meat, dairy). MCFA's are a different form of saturated fat that does not increase triglycerides, cholesterol levels or your risk for heart disease.
5. Sports Endurance Energy. The MCFA's in coconut are immediately sent to the liver to be used for energy unlike Long Chain Fatty Acids (from animal products) that can contribute to stored fat. In this way, coconut actually increases metabolism and energy without weight gain.
6. Promotes the Absorption of Other Nutrients. Coconut assists in digestive system function and healing, while promoting the absorption and utilization of fat soluble vitamins. By eating my turmeric rich curry and beta-carotene packed carrot with coconut I increased the absorption of fat-soluble compounds (like vitamin A) that otherwise may have not been utilized.
7. Electrolyte Drink. Coconut water contains more electrolytes than any fruit or vegetable. Because of it's unique chemical composition it is able to rehydrate the body and give it the strength and energy it needs for endurance and athleticism. In fact, it has 15 times the amount of potassium as most sports and energy drinks!
8. Anti-Aging. Coconut is the richest natural dietary source of cytokinins that have shown promise in strengthening the elasticity of the skin and slowing down general degeneration in the body.
9. Cardioprotective. Due to the high potassium content, coconut can stabilize blood pressure and improve circulation.
10. Heat Stable. Coconut can be used at high temperatures without becoming damaged or oxidized. Many natural fats actually have a low smoke point (meaning that they become damaged when cooked at even a relatively low temperature). Extra virgin olive oil breaks down easily when frying and can actually increase our need for antioxidants to fight the damaged fats. Use coconut oil to fry, cook and bake.

For decades science was telling us that coconut was bad. We now know they were wrong. What could have prevented this misunderstanding? Listening to our body and following its beautiful signals.

Day 30 - Effects of Distracted Eating

The second principle in The Awake Eating Method is Be Present and in counseling sessions this seems to be a concept that is met with a lot of resistance. People often ask, why must I change these habits? Are they really affecting my weight? I enjoy not being present when I eat. Isn't enjoyment a part of what you are trying to teach me?

The Be Present Step entails releasing distractions and coming to terms with what is happening in the moment, which is eating. It is the second pillar in a four-pronged system in creating a rock star eating experience - be receptive to your environment (followed by enjoying your food with no apologies and feeling the pleasure of the body). Here are some of the pointers for Step 2 out of the eBook:

• Release distractions: Turn off the TV, computer, radio. Close the book, magazine or newspaper. Pull over in the car (or any other machinery!). 
• Sit down. Snacking at the fridge or grazing off of a buffet is not creating a present moment awareness.
• Create a beautiful environment. Use candles, place-mats and people that you love as the setting. 
• Observe your food throughout the eating process. Look over the presentation, color, texture and amount. 
• Breathe. Let go of thoughts about the past or future and recognize eating for what it is; a biologically embedded moment for nourishment and self-love.

So, what is the big deal about our eating environment? Buckle your seat belts because here I go...

Most of us are asleep eaters who have divorced the beauty and pleasure of food for the interruptions and brief amusements of life. We are having affairs with constant diversions, taking us away from the innate pleasure and beauty of eating.

• 91% of us typically watch TV when eating meals at home
• 62% of us are often too busy to sit down and eat
• 35% of us eat lunch at our desk at work
• 26% of us practice regular 'dashboard dining' of eating when driving

When we are distracted we eat more and feel our body less. It is almost as though we are alien abduction victims who find that we are transported to the end of a family-sized cracker box.

Effects of Distracted Eating found in studies done by the Director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, Brian Wansink, Ph.D.:

• People who watch TV are more likely to be overweight than people who don't.
• The less TV people watch the skinnier they are.
• People who watch TV end up eating vastly more. In a study the subjects that watched TV for an hour (as opposed to a half hour) ended up eating 28 percent more popcorn.
• Children and adults snack more when watching TV and do so even when not physically hungry.
• Radio can distract us. People who listened to a lunchtime radio mystery ate 15% more than those who didn't.

Dr. Wansink found that the bottom line was that the more distracted we are the more we end up forgetting. In other words, the more we multi-task with food the more that our mind literally forgets that we even had it in the first place. His conclusions on distracted eating:

1. It makes us eat.
2. Forget how much we eat.
3. Extends how long we eat.
4. And we do all of these, even if we are not hungry.

Awake eating is about using the moments of eating fully to our advantage. It is a time to 'check in' and say hello to the body. The physical effects of awake eating are obvious. You become more attuned to your body's natural needs and desires (which are always sending you in the direction of well-being) and are able to acquire more enjoyment in the eating process, diminish cravings and eat the amount of food that is needed to create a healthy and beautiful body.

Have you ever wondered why you feel alone? Maybe you feel that this world is really just a scary and unwelcoming place? This may be because you disallow the observation of prime sustenance in the union of food and body; external and internal world; world and self.

When we become present we are transforming a mechanical, linear action of refueling into an act of nourishment. It is the difference between having sex and making love, walking to the post office or going on a revitalizing hike, laughing to blend in or laughing sincerely from the belly. Eating with your attention and awareness can literally transform the way you see your body, your whole being and the world around you because you are present to see the abundant substance that is there to feed you.

Personal Tidbit

Out at a sushi restaurant I felt incredibly self conscious about dinner with my daughter. I should have felt insecure about other things. I was snapping pictures left and right with murmurs and comments coming from the opposite table as the numerous flashes blinded the party. I could have felt apprehensive about the fact that I forgot to lock the restaurant bathroom door prior to our meal, perfectly adjacent to the dining area, only for it to be opened all the way by a gasping and nearly entombed elderly woman (with an expletive by me to boot) who seemed to have arthritis and could not manage to close the door (followed by another expletive).

What was on my mind was how little dinner conversation was present at the meal. I had this vision of how the meal should go, especially since we were investing in an 'eating out' experience. I imagined us laughing, giggling, talking about the meaning of life, all-the-while we are fully immersed in each others stories and anecdotes of the day. I tried to conjure up tête-à-tête by bringing up school or her recent playdate. I even resorted to asking about her career choices and long term plans (wow, I have become more like my father than I could have ever realized). As my daughter's chocolate cake was plated in front of her I realized how I had not been applying the Be Present step. That whole time thoughts were running amuck in my head and in addition to the elderly lady's table talking about my use of the Lord's name in vain, I was downright focused on everything but the food. That chocolate cake was a godsend to the meal. I saw my daughter, with no apologies, ignore me with every cell in her body as she savored and reveled in each bite. Good for her.

The interesting thing was that even though I had the highest quality food - I was ravenously hungry for nourishment by the time we arrived home. Is it a coincidence? No. I was not present so my mind had no idea what I really had received. Potential energy from food truly is reliant on our awareness. Distracted eating makes us focus on food later even if we are not hungry. We are trying to make up for the richness that we missed.

Nat