I love to travel, and when I travel, I love to sample local cuisine. I also love to photograph it. In fact, if you look at any of my travel albums, they are equal parts historical monuments and food. When I’m traveling and I’m sampling local cuisine I take the time to admire the food and I savor it.
Admiring the food, appreciating its authenticity, and savoring each and every bite because I knew it was unlikely, I would ever eat it again lead to increased satisfaction and pleasure.
So, whether it’s goulash in Hungary or Pad Thai in Thailand or Wurst in Germany, I am savored the delicacies offered. You can do the same thing without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
For today, take a photograph of something that you’re about to eat before you eat it. Look at the photograph and ask yourself (1) does this food look appetizing (2) is this food that I genuinely want to eat or is it something that I’m eating because it’s available or prescribed, and (3) would I be happy sharing this photograph with someone else? Taking a photograph of your food and then looking at it before eating is a step towards mindfulness.
Adapted from Mindful Bites – Joyful Life: 365 Days of Mindful Eating. Available in bookstores everywhere.
