Mindful Eating

I have a hoard of recipes which I peak at occasionally and then select on ‘lucky recipe’ to be tried, dissected and – if all goes well – eaten.   But I’ve often wondered how I choose these recipes?  Honestly, that is not as silly as you think.

What first attracts to you to a recipe in a book?   Obviously, you discount things you don’t like and which brings you up in nasty little lumps (or in the case of peanuts for some people, stops breathing).  You also think about the occasion – a quick dinner or an ‘impress the socks of the man so he sees you as wife material’ meal but then what?

Are you like me and consider what you have to buy to make something?    Aaah, tea grown on the upper reaches of a Tibetan mountain – nope, not making that one.   Or, do you look for one that ‘you simply can’t balls up’?      Perhaps it looks just like ‘mama used to make’ or even that meal you had when he ‘finally bl**dy proposed’?    

Photos obviously play a big part but I still find that for me it is ingredients.  Not only do I have them but am I likely to have them in the future.   Brilliant, Bean Gratin – generally have those in my cupboard so should learn to make it.

And why does it matter how you (or I) choose a recipe?   Well, I’ve decided to try to be mindful about my choices in my life.    This is essential to dieting according to the experts and I can see their point of view.  

Why do you have that coffee in the morning?  Eeer, well I have always has a Grande Latte ….  Does it need to be full fat milk?  Can you taste the difference?  Nope, several thousand calories saved over a couple of weeks.  Why do you eat dinner when you get home?   Well, I live on my own so it isn’t because the family needs it, I suppose it is habit. 

So let’s see how being mindful works on the waist line – hopefully I will be reporting massive loss or at least a little shift.

L xx

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