Make Meal Time Special

Today’s hurried world puts relaxing and quality mealtimes at the bottom of many people’s life.   Most families have two working adults so time is limited and kids are scheduled with all sorts of after school activities.  Technology keeps us busy responding 24/7 to outside stimuli.  What about the adult that lives alone…they may not be motivated to make meals special as there is no one to share the bounty.

I’ve learned an important lesson recently….treating my mealtimes as special is nurturing in more ways than just the food.    It’s a time to relax and enjoy how I’m taking care of myself.  Since I work long hours, I am tempted to grab something after a full day at work.   I’ve eaten dinner while watching TV and I don’t really know I’m eating and that’s not satisfying.

Lately, I’ve been setting the dining room table, lighting candles, making a dinner and enjoying my meal.    I can feel the nourishment immediately in sharing my meals with myself and with my love ones.   I minimize the distractions and use this time to catch up with my life, to create a special space to let go of all those little and big “to do’s” that haunt me throughout the day.   I’m learning how to feed myself all the wonderful nutrients that add value to my life.

No one teaches us the art of dining at home.   We feel we have to pay for our meals in order to slow down and relax.  The process of creating a meal for others and myself brings me joy and relaxation.  I’m not a gourmet cook…far from it.  Rather, it’s about taking the time to nourish ‘me’…I deserve this type of quality in my life.

All part of the journey of caring for myself.   If I don’t take care of me…who else wants to take over the job?   When I was 2 years old, adults jumped in, but now I’m way past two, so it’s my turn to nurture myself in as many ways as possible.    So today, I’m focusing on minimizing distractions at mealtimes.   Making mealtimes, even if simple, fulfilling and nourishing.

What about you…do you normally create a special mealtime?  Or, like me, do you need to learn the importance of truly feeding yourself with a healthy meal, placements and pretty napkins, candles and great company…even if you are the only one who shows up for this special meal.

Pat
“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)

Tags: mealtimes, nourishment, self-care

2 Responses to “Make Meal Time Special”

1. Trisna Says:
   March 26th, 2009 at 4:15 am

   Greetings

   I know how you feel Pat
   I have a best friend who is very busy with her family until she doesn’t have time to break at all.

   I’m not married yet, but, my job is kinda 24-7 and it’s more 9-5. I feel like i can’t go to the saloon, took care of my face at night, or do what woman usually do everyday to look good. I still can’t until this minute, so yeah, i do create a special mealtime. Just now, i just made sushi and eat it while blogging

   toodles
   ~^_^~

   Trisna’s last blog post..Shit Happens

2. Gabriel Says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm

   Very nice post. Have you noticed how Japanese take extra effort in preparing their meals? What may seem an unnecessary ritual to others, to them it is an event, a celebration of life.

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