I found out was, by the rhythm of my chewing, how I chewed fast, slow or what have you, I could tell the audience what my character was thinking and feeling.
~Rod Steiger

You already know that eating seasonal, locally grown organic foods is good for your health, but did you know that how you eat is as important for your overall well-being as choosing the right foods? One way to promote healing is to raise your awareness around your chewing process to strengthen your relationship with your food.

Setting an intention to cook with a loving mindset enhances the healing energy in your food. When the meal is ready to eat, set another intention to chew mindfully and nourish your relationship with your food for better health. Chewing has numerous benefits along with a macrobiotic diet, including:

• Alkalinizing the blood
• Promoting digestion
• Relaxing the lower stomach muscle
• Enhancing an overall state of rhythm and relaxation
• Nourishing your connection with your food

Include the following chewing meditation exercises when you are sitting down to a meal. Before you begin chewing, answer the following questions:

1. Do you have any food cravings?
2. Do you have any areas of tension in your body?

During the chewing process, focus on the following contrasting activities:

1. Take a bite of food and chew at normal speed.
2. Next, chew faster than normal speed.
3. Then chew slower than normal speed.
4. Resume chewing at normal speed.
5. In your journal, record your body’s experiences.

After doing the exercises, answer the following questions:

1. What changes in your body did you notice while doing the meditation?
2. How did changing the speed of chewing affect the way you felt about the food?
3. How did your body’s wisdom guide you during chewing?

Compare your results and notice any guidance that arises that can take you to a deeper, richer relationship with food.