Relationships with Food

It’s interesting to observe how our relationship with food changes over time. As a child, food is often a place for argument and power plays with parents and other authority figures who are in control of what we eat. Hunger is something that we are not allowed to respond to in a typical school environment.

Learning to eat by the clock wiggles its way into adulthood as part of the work schedule, too. And, then, when we have a family, there are multiple people whose needs we hope to address during meal time.

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Most of us have learned through the years, as we pursue various avenues to improve our health, that there are eating styles that are “healthy” and “unhealthy”. I’ve explored so many of these different ways of eating that I could write a book about my experience.

As my body provides me with new insights and challenges, I explore a new approach to eating to assist in my healing process. I’m fascinated when I observe how my life has taken me all around the map of food. Vegetarian – meat eating, whole foods – processed foods, no dairy – yes dairy, whole grains – no grains, low fat – high fat, on and on.

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Then there’s the addition of growing your own food, buying food from a farmer’s market vs. grocery, organic or not, grass fed and wild or farmed…. It all gets a bit overwhelming at times.

The ultimate way to determine diet, aside from lots of study and some experimentation is to consult a health professional. Beyond that step, though, is the part where each professional has a different perspective and offers different advice.

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So, my approach is to learn to listen closely to my body. Learn its cues – when is it complaining and when is it detoxing? When is my energy low due to too many carbohydrates, or from dehydration? Maybe, I’m feeling low because I haven’t taken time out to be present with myself, my dreams and worries. Or I’m stuck in old patterns and don’t know how to get past them.

Reiki, meditation, time in the garden or other sources of being in nature all help us in these situations. Mental clarity and breathing deeply will come to you!

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Do you want to learn more about your relationship with food? Join us for some fun in the Sugi Garden as we play with preparing different types of food in our cooking classes. The next one is Easy, One Dish meals on Sunday, August 25.

The Seasons program through Sugi Health is another way to discover more about the deeper influences around food through family and cultural experiences. Developing a new connection with the seasons that unfold through the Sugi Garden are an intimate part of the program. The next program begins in January 2020.