I’m Too Busy to Eat Right. Honoring the Harvest: How My Sister Got Her Groove Back

My little sister has always been more intrigued by the wonders of nature than the intricacies of culinary arts. While she never was much for junk food, she never quite grasped the significance of slowing down to enjoy a meal. Food was just fuel.

That all changed when she quit her Hollywood job and went overseas to learn the art of farming. She found herself immersed in a culture that revered food not just as sustenance but as a sacred experience—a time to pause, breathe, and savor the flavors of life.

On the family farms where she worked, my sister was embraced by a community that understood the importance of taking time with food. Each meal became an occasion—an opportunity to gather around the table, share stories, and forge meaningful connections with others.

At first, my sister was all about "go, go, go—get it done, on to the next thing." But as she worked alongside these local farmers, she learned the value of mindful eating. In the fields, she witnessed the labor and love that went into cultivating fresh produce and healthful grains. Growing food takes time. And in the kitchen, she discovered the joy of transforming simple ingredients into nourishing meals. In this environment, taking time with food wasn't just a cultural norm—it was a spiritual practice, a way of honoring God's provision and the earth He created. It became spiritual.

But it wasn't just about the food itself—it was about the experience. My sister learned to appreciate the beauty of sitting down to a simple, nourishing meal, surrounded by friends, under the warmth of the sun or the glow of a fire. She discovered that taking time with her food was a form of self-care—a moment of quiet reflection and gratitude for the blessings of the earth.

Taking time with your food is important for several reasons, each contributing to your overall health and well-being and you don’t need to catch a plane to learn how :

• Prayer First: Before you eat, pray. This is the first step to mindful eating. Prayer serves as a reminder of God's abundant grace and provision, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all nourishment. Blessing food also fosters gratitude, encouraging us to pause and reflect on our intentions and the blessings in our lives before partaking in a meal. Additionally, it can be a way of consecrating the food, inviting God's presence to sanctify the act of eating and infuse it with spiritual significance. Embracing the synergy of our spiritual principles with the simple act of eating can be profoundly transformative. 
• Mindful vs. Mindless Eating: When you take time with your food, you can practice mindful eating. This means paying full attention to the sensory experience of eating—savoring the flavors, textures, and aromas of each bite. Mindful eating helps you develop a healthier relationship with food, leading to better digestion, improved satisfaction, and a greater appreciation for the nourishment it provides.
• Digestive Health: Eating slowly allows your body to properly digest and absorb nutrients from your food. Chewing food thoroughly initiates the digestive process by breaking down food into smaller particles, making it easier for enzymes in your saliva and stomach to further break it down. This can help prevent digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, and discomfort.
• Portion Control: Taking time with your food gives your body a chance to signal feelings of fullness to your brain. When you eat too quickly, you may not give your body enough time to recognize that it's satisfied, leading to overeating and potential weight gain. Eating slowly allows you to tune in to your body's hunger and fullness cues, helping you maintain a healthy weight and avoid unnecessary calorie consumption.
• Enjoyment and Satisfaction: Rushing through meals can detract from the enjoyment of eating and leave you feeling unsatisfied. Taking time to savor each bite allows you to fully appreciate the flavors and textures of your food, leading to a more enjoyable eating experience. This can enhance your overall satisfaction with meals and reduce the likelihood of reaching for unhealthy snacks or desserts to compensate for feeling unfulfilled.
• Cultural and Social Connection: Mealtime is a time for gathering with family and friends, sharing stories, and building relationships. Taking time with your food allows you to fully engage in the social aspect of dining, fostering meaningful connections and strengthening bonds with loved ones. Additionally, savoring traditional dishes and culinary customs can help us feel more connected to our cultural heritage and identity.

While some of us have great feelings and memories around food, and others don’t, consider the fact that you are in full control of changing your relationship with food, and you don’t have to go halfway around the world to do it!