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Are you a Mindful or Mindless Eater?

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! (function() { var s = document.createElement('SCRIPT'), s1 = document.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = 'http://widgets.digg.com/buttons.js'; s1.parentNode.insertBefore(s, s1); })(); Tweet (function() { var s = document.createElement('SCRIPT'), s1 = document.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = 'http://widgets.digg.com/buttons.js'; s1.parentNode.insertBefore(s, s1); })(); TweetTweet Quote: “My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for 4 unless there are 3 other people.” ~ Orson Welles Do you savor your food and enjoy the sensuous, joyful pleasures of eating a meal?  Do you scarf down your lukewarm Big Mac and fries as quickly as possible while driving on the freeway and talking on your cell phone? If you answered yes to the later question, you may be a mindless eater. Mindless eating is all too common in today’s fast-paced, fast-track, overstressed world.  However, do not despair – by making a few small, simple changes in your eating habits, you can become a more mindful and, ultimately, healthier eater.  Mindfulness means actively focusing your attention on the present moment – it is not a passive state. Being fully present while eating promotes a positive relationship with food and may help you leave behind your old unhealthy, unsatisfying habits.  Tweaking just a few simple areas of your eating pattern can lead to  significant changes in many areas of your life. A mindful eater actively assesses hunger sensations before a meal – are you really hungry or just very thirsty? Your body may not even want food at all. Listen carefully to what your body is telling you! Notice the enticing color, heavenly smell, as well as, the taste and texture of your food. Is it real food or a food – like substance such as processed food?  Eating whole foods may take a little more time, but it is well worth the extra effort.  Taking the time to assess your food can be an enlightening experience. Eating slowly and only while sitting down may help you enjoy your meals more and realize when your stomach is full. There is no law that says you have to clean your plate at every meal – it is OK to stop eating if you are no longer hungry and there is still food on your plate. Turn off the TV! Put your fork down between bites and chew your food completely – feelings of hunger may dissolve sooner, making it less likely you will overeat. Try to be the last person at the table to finish your meal. By taking the time to savor your food, you may actually lose a few pounds. Learning to appreciate your food and taking pleasure in eating again may result in changes in your life far beyond the kitchen table. Become a mindful, not mindless eater! If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

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Are You Ready for Fresh Tomato Day?

Posted by Susan | Posted in Healthy Eating | Posted on 05-04-2011

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Despite the recent chilly, rainy weather, it’s a given in Charleston that better days are ahead – warm, sunny, spring and summer days with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables hanging on the vine or at the farmer’s market.  To get everyone in the mood, April 6th has been designated Fresh Tomato Day. Tomatoes epitomize summer and are easy to grow in your own garden – many heirloom varieties are available such as Cherokee Purple and Mr. Stripey.   In no time at all, the people of the Lowcountry will be dining outside on their patio enjoying their first BLT sandwich!

The best place to store tomatoes is at room temperature (above 55 degrees F) – never in the refrigerator as the cold temperature destroys the tomato flavor and makes them mealy.  A ripe tomato has bright, shiny skin and yields to the touch.  Place them stem side up as the top part is the softest and tends to bruise easily.  Store them out of direct sunlight and be sure to use within 4-5 days of picking or purchasing. 

Tomatoes are extremely healthy as they are great sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and lycopene.  Lycopene is responsible for this fruit’s rich red color and tomatoes have the highest concentration of any other fruit or vegetable.  Research indicates tomatoes may help stave off many illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, and cancers such as those of the prostate, colon, stomach, mouth and esophagus. 

Please help you support your local economy by visiting nearby farmer’s markets   Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program are also a great locavore option.

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