Betina Thygesen

Just this morning somebody asked me – yet again – “how is it possible to maintain a health supporting lifestyle without ‘falling off the wagon’ at least a few times every day?” If not easy to do (at least for most of us), I do think that the answer is pretty simple; you have to be very clear on how you define a healthy diet, you have to take the time to appreciate and celebrate how great every little change is making you feel and most importantly you have to feel that you are worth it – because you are!

Take a minute to think about what kind of foods make an impact on a level deeper than just your physical well-being. Which foods reconnect you to precious memories, like childhood playtimes, first dates, holidays, your country of ancestry. Our bodies remember foods from the past on both an emotional and cellular level. Eating this food connects us to our roots and has youthening and nurturing effects that go far beyond the food’s biochemical make-up. 

Acknowledging what different foods mean to us is an important part of cultivating a good relationship with food. This month when we celebrate lovers and relationships, it’s important to notice that we each have a relationship with food—and that this relationship is often far from loving. Many of us restrict food, attempting to control our weight. We often abuse food, substituting it for emotional well-being. Others ignore food, swallowing it whole before we’ve even tasted it. 

What would your life be like if you treated food and your body like you would treat your beloved? With gentleness, playfulness, communication, honesty, respect and love? The next time you eat your soul food, do so with awareness and without guilt, and enjoy all the healing and nourishment it brings you. with intention is time consuming – in this day and age living a health supportive life is an indulgence!