Eat Less, Play More

Courtesy of Photos8.com on Flickr

Remember when you were a child and you got so wrapped up in playing, imagining or creating that you didn’t want to stop when it was time to eat? Do you remember leaving your meal half-finished to run off and continue playing? Children innately understand that food is secondary to what is most nutritious and primary in life: fun and play.

As adults we seem to have lost our instinct to prioritize play. In our busy world, with its emphasis on work and responsibility, to be healthy and balanced we must work on more than just our bodies; we must feed our hearts, minds and spirits.

Have you noticed that when your body, mind and spirit are engaged in a creative project or happy relationship, your reliance on food seems to decrease? Likewise, when you are unsatisfied with your relationships, your job or other areas of your life, you may depend on food to cheer, soothe or numb you. When your life is out of balance, no amount of food can feed you where you truly need nourishment. The food that we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us—a full and fulfilling life—doesn’t come on a plate.

What is fun for you? What makes you light up? What excites you? Make time for it this week. Even if you don’t have much free time for fun, try approaching a “serious” activity with an attitude of play. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and bring more pleasure to your day. Take your focus off food, try adding more fun into your life and watch the magic unfold.

What’s on your plate?

I am excited to debut my new blog!

Taking from my theatrical background and applying it now to food, nutrition, wellness, etc…the title seemed only too appropriate.  Because I have come to believe completely that what nourishes us most is not always our food.

Of COURSE good food is good nourishment.  But what nourishes us as much (or even more) is the whole world we create for ourselves.  Having fulfilling relationships.  Feeling passionate about our careers.  Enjoying a spiritual or religious practice…connecting with ourselves and others on a deeper level.  And moving our bodies – finding physical activity that we enjoy so much we can’t help but do it regularly!  When we will up our life “plates” with these non-food sources, or these “Primary Foods”, we feel more vibrant and alive.  And then it becomes natural (and, yes, even easy) to make healthier food choices because we learn that we deserve and desire only good things!  Our natural state as human beings IS to be healthy and happy, but in these modern times we just need to uncover the right tools to put us on that path.

Yes I am still on the path.  Because health is, after all, a journey and not a one-stop destination. But having experienced a transformation through diet and lifestyle changes,I look forward to writing on all of these topics and sharing my experiences with you.  Rest assured I will talk about food as well.   After all, I do LOVE food and, having seen the fear on the faces of people in the supermarket aisles with every decision they make, I hope to help others learn to LOVE food, too!

Please bear with me as I get this blog operational.  But visit often, and share it with your friends if you are so inclined.  I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, and feedback.

In the meantime…what will YOU put on your plate today to nourish you?