This is a reflection piece on the several ways to eat mindfully, to reduce the following:
*Stress
*Trauma
*Anxiety
*Grievances
*Emptiness
*Rage
*Attention
*Depression
Think S.T.A.G.E.R.A.D if you want to help anyone.
Blighty, meaning the United Kingdom are becoming the most easily manipulated; spoon fed; contrived; unaware — media driven — robot individuals. I say these out of the deepest regret because I was born in Shrewsbury. I love you but I cannot stand the regression and I blame today’s media — as I reflect on habits of yesteryear are being ignored today. In a nutshell, I would rather us talk about how brilliant we were and how regressive we have become. I want to improve the way we see and do things.
I felt like someone had gouged my eyes out with a rusty spoon — reading the article mocking mindfulness — Of which, I had the misfortune of reading! (It is somewhere below, honest)
I am going to try and solve the mystery of the following British traits throughout this reflection. I am going to try and answer these questions below to find out why some traits are useful and what life needs to improve.
Why do people in the United Kingdom like to debate about food all the time? Have we been neglecting our own consciousness by not debating about our senses?
Has anyone eaten a Pink Wafer? Throughout this reflection, I make an argument for the Pink Wafer. Although, I am partial to eating a choccie Mcvity!
Do British people really dunk their biscuits in hot drinks?
What is the best environment to dine in? How to practice mindful techniques whilst on your lunch break!
How do you eat your choccie biscuit??? Seriously!
I know, many of you are thinking:
“This is weird! Why would a scientist be telling me how to eat a chocolate biscuit!”
The reasons surrounding the scientists claim on eating the biscuit and mindfulness is now disregarded: due to the misinformed press. As mindfulness is one of the most effective ways to even help — children, or young adults. Thus, the dysfunctionalism continues and no one becomes wiser.
It helps them to focus on the task at hand and nothing else— the mind has to be empty. (I shall describe this in a little more detail for those readers, whom want to try this mindful technique out on family members.)
The first time that I saw mindfulness used on 3-5 year olds, was during a practical for a nursery in Oslo. I thought, it was amazing seeing children engaging in yoga before a meal and meditation. Of which, is virtually difficult to do with most children because when a child is hungry — their attention becomes a short lighted fuse — having only moments before they either go hyper , or a child will behave aggressively. (Parents out there know!)
If am being honest, it is not about eating at a table and forcing people to sit there if they do not want to. Is not really my idea of mindfulness either because — making some one angry and stressing them out — totally ruins the persons ability to be rational when it is needed the most.
You get them to do their colouring at the table, or play a game to help them eat at the table. You try other things. But you do not shout because a child reacts back.
I digress — because in Blighty people force their kids to eat around the table. We do not necessarily eat outside in the sun — especially at school. Schools are ridged and they do not even entertain the idea of sunny day and teaching kids to play instead of study in the heat.
Exact opposite in Norway— science prevails here. A school will try and have children eating and playing outside on weekly trips to the park, daily if it is too hot.
Brits are encouraged to be formal at all times. So, this process in of itself is not really enjoyable. (Hence the reason why most turn to drink and get wild on holiday. Everything is so uniformed. Thus the real madrid football player has no idea how formal life is for brits compared to the relaxing lifestyle in Spain)
Seriously, stop trying to tell people what to do and just learn to ask them. You cause a stressful environment.
How do you eat yours?
I mean, no disrespect when I am trying to remind people in Blighty: ALL BRITS, had the process of mindfulness of one another before. In fact— I feel the empathy button being pressed by my very own finger — only for this change in society which is greatly needed.
Yesteryear we had an: “each to their own” attitude regarding complete independence and admiration for the weird and wonderful. There is even a political party called “the official monster raving looney party“. We do not all sit there eating cucumber sandwiches; sipping tea in a refined way; pinkie finger extended out; these types of practices are formal; a British person will use these to their advantage; depending on their social ladder climb.
What on earth happened— who made the world turn so one sided?
I told children here in Norway I would eat my favourite thing until last because then, it would be on my lips for the longest time. Anything, I did not like would be covered by the last thing I ate.
However, today we are forcing the constructs of restriction — not necessarily encouraging — the slow process of indulging, through practice. Yes, chocolate advertisements were slow, and showed connation’s of taking time in many of the chocolate adverts.
The women in chocolate adverts of yesteryear, would place the chocolate on their mouths and not chew suggesting: you should savour your chocolate.
******WARNING: THIS ADVERT MAKES ME WANT A CADBURYS FLAKE********
When I was in my 20’s. there was a campaign by Cadburys cream egg; introducing the idea of a conversation of how to accept others and the diverse ways of eating.
It was a very enjoyable concept: — suggesting we should accept our diverse and uniqueness!
Today, everything is rushed and you see less of the content of what you are about to consume. As though, your mouth doesn’t even need to experience the mouth-watering sensation.
You are not meant to have your senses tickled or aroused by the look of the food.
It’s just the label: brand; title or not even the appearance of it.
Heaven forbid — nowadays, if the media used those types of sensual imagery — of thick chocolate swirling around in a barrel. The brain connects to the image, which is just so amazingly appetising just thinking about it!
In Blighty there are variety of restaurants available. Every taste from around the world imaginable. Even Norway has a range of foods: Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Greek, Spanish and even Sami.
There is so much to choose from — there is no discrepancy about how you would dine. However, in a mindful environment you can definitely ensure, your dining experience becomes more pleasurable — if, there are not so many people around.
McDonalds is not really the best because it is quick and easy food— You are not really training your brain to eat— This is automatic. Do the perception McDonalds test to see the burgers and if they look attractive.
The big brand chains are always finding ways to lure more consumers — the enticement sometimes leads to disappointment. Therefore, nowadays in adverts they tend to use less food imagery. (Entertain this idea about chicken nuggets being disappointing regardless of how many you want to give away for less.)
On the other hand, scientists in Blighty have missed a few valid points from even indulging in chocolate and this is because they are not taught mindfulness from an early age.
Comparing the last decades and how food is advertised shows there is no compassion for the things around us. We do not even want to entice our thoughts to having a discussion about different ways of eating something. The scientists would rather tell you.
Have we lost the ability to interact with one another? Has COVID really been so bad, we do not even want to engage in conversation?
I like to ask someone — No matter what age they are.:
- How do you eat this?
- Do you know how this food was made?
- Have you ever tried this method?
Enlightening expectations regarding traditions— there are people whom dunk their biscuits in their tea — just so they can change the taste of their tea; to include the remaining crumbs at the bottom of the cup.
This is a sort of mind boggling moment where: Blighty prevails in the weird. For all those whom need to practice debate — forming a for or against method — You can do this with food.
These are amazing techniques for children and young adults to learn how to debate.
Which biscuit is the best for dunking into your tea?
I try to refrain from laughing, but this is a traditional thing to do in Blighty.
Like I suggested earlier, Brits revel in the weird.
Brits will find marvellous ways of sparking up a conversation. To assume Brits are as brash, as one makes out — is to state you, do not know how to have a good time. Only after a few pints are we the equivalent of our Scandinavian brothers or sisters. (Trust me, anyone can be obnoxious after a few pints- it is just most people do not like to admit it)
Even eating a fry up or an English Breakfast, there is a debate surrounding what type of tea: Earl grey, Darjeeling, Lady grey, Chi, PG tips or Yorkshire tea.
We have a conversation about it. Introducing a discussion— is not necessarily— regarding the sensual experiences — thus focusing on an outcome reduces the pleasure and enjoyment.
I would argue after watching the video of which biscuit disintegrates faster, for the Pink wafer. My challenge is to argue why this is the best:
“Once — I tried to avoid having sugar in my tea — Therefore, I used a pink wafer and tried to dunk it into my tea; to ensure my tea had a sweet taste at the end. It is perfect for those whom are on a diet — wanting to reduce sugar intake.”
Weird and Wonderful Pro Pink Wafer 2021
Anecdotal pursuits of food and digestion. The justification of why we choose to do this and what response we want. Although, journalists do not entertain this idea anymore— they would rather tell people what to do.
The best thing to do is— ask a person.
Seriously, entertain the idea of conversation again and see if you get a different answer every time.
I think it is wrong to assume people eat the same and do the same things.
It is also wrong to assume they know mindfulness and how to participate in the action. What kind of a world are we trying to promote with articles written about science and the manner in which you need to consume something, as though it was some health warning:
Chocolate side up or down? Scientist reveals the best way to eat a Chocolate Digestive – and claims you should pick up the biscuit with the topping on the top, but FLIP it over before you eat it Daily Mail 2021.
The article doesn’t even, enter into the idea of the wholesomeness of a mindfulness routine— which is probably— what a scientist is trying to provocate. Like I suggest in this reflection piece, the United Kingdom is a diverse place with a lot of diverse foods. To have our senses even stimulated by the media seems a thing of the past.
Hence the reason, why I think Blighty has too many people in it — not enough sensory motor functions are stimulated.
De-sensitivity can lead to a lot of health and mental health problems.
They could turn this around and have a massive awakening in terms of food consumption. I have not the foggiest, why they would even want to harbour their economy in this manner.
How to practice mindfulness eating:
Even eating out can be a very mindful experience— if you allow it.
Becoming scientists ourselves by examining the difference in tone and mannerisms, a tranquil environment creates. This is the outcome a person is aiming for when they want the best out of a situation.
There are many whom would look at that word chart and not even address some of the words.
Eating has become — an automatic response — our heart beating is an automatic function; fast paced lifestyle has become an automatic response; to rush food by eating quickly; finish the next task because you have 30 mins break. Hence many are too busy to indulge the food.
Imagine the amount of health problems, or damage your body is enduring: whilst you’re too busy to allow your food and body to respond!
Picture connecting our sense; even help children not to rush when they are eating. Creating a better environment and better understanding of the human body.
Even a person with a 30 minute break period in their work rota can perform better once they have awakened their senses.
I suppose this is why we need a workforce whom are not so educated and end up in hospital all the time. It benefits the system.
QUIET ZONE
Some people think that eating in a restaurant should have the hustle and bustle of life. Entertainment and gossip.
There are some restaurants’ whom decided to create the best type of tranquil atmosphere — : like a Japanese sushi restaurant, or the Indian restaurant; with the music which does not make you want to dance; the music is not so loud; even the staff find it a pleasure to serve the food.
So, basically the pub is not the type of zone to practice mindfulness dining — they could promote this, if they want to!
The perfect dining mindfulness experience, is where you — better still — no one shouts to get attention. Loads of people end up choking on their food, because they talk at the same time as eating. Imagine doing this with some loud music — where — no one can hear you choking, or gasping for air.
The relaxing music helps you take your time. Make a good choice, from the menu. The smile from the waiter/waitress is evident; the service you receive is not shouting or aggressive; it is not strained and they do not feel embarrassed if they make a mistake or misheard you.
The staff present themselves in a calm manner— You are calm.
Of course at home, with even your favourite takeaway, you can practice mindfulness. Where you create a quiet environment for 5 mins where you prepare the snack or meal. You sit down and then you use your senses.
You then mediate in those moments to prepare the mind to indulge the food.
Christians would even pray instead of meditating, however the process of praying for the food and having others practice the art of being thankful for the food being prepared is one way to creating a quiet zone of tranquillity.
Come on now— if I have seen 3-5 year olds learn— to have patience and not demand things; we as adults can do better and create this relaxed environment.
USING YOUR SENSES
To practice mindfulness in eating— holds the sensory motor functions at maximum levels. Training the brain to receive maximum sensory overload: heightens awareness and even productivity.
It takes time to indulge a bit of food to enjoy it at that maximum level: It takes patience.
Smelling is the first sense to use and it evokes your brain to wanting to eat.
I have never seen 3-5 year olds being more attentive before with the ability to focus once they have smelt the rind of an orange.
Peeling and smelling is even more sensory focused as feel is the next process.
I watched children peel the orange, slowly. I mean, a child having the patience to do this is even more incredible as we live in the fast food world. Everything is now.
Even without children, this is an amazing thing to do. It is like walking around bare foot and making fists with your toes. (Die hard is one of the most underrated films of the 20th century)
Who would have thought????
Taking the orange segment, feeling it with your fingers— noticing the pattern of the segment and looking at it’s flesh would make this piece of the fruit look more enticing as your brain is building up— It is getting excited; if you master this technique even a radish would be enticing.
The smell of the rind, lingers in the air and on your fingers: this is magic working as your nose is connecting to your eyes and your fingers are connecting with the segment.
Children love to touch things, hence the reason why— we have so many signs in a museum saying— “do not touch“. So, the temptation to put the orange segment in the mouth, to eat it; is so amazingly tempting to— scoff it all up!
Imagine, 3 year olds being able to prevent themselves from eating something quickly.
Three year olds have mastered this technique — meanwhile in our adult world— everyone is demanding things with little to no prospect of satisfaction. We need to improve our satisfaction levels; it really is something as simple as food.
Take the little bite challenge — with the orange segment today and find out what happens. Have you got the patience, to look at the food and notice the patterns; texture; smell and even the taste?
This is the hard part because some instinctively want to bite the orange immediately. Can you imagine how we have come to this even surviving COVID lockdowns?
SLOW IT ALL DOWN
Mastering this technique and even reminding 14 year olds they have to take their time — can only be one step closer to reducing pressure.
We have had quarantining — therefore we have a chance for people to take the time to do these things— really enjoy things like: food, music, art, films or even sport.
Perhaps, there is an opportunity to reduce “social anxiety”, by creating a mindful environment? As we could do with less of the rush. I used to eat all I wanted at a particular pub, because it did not have any music or television distracting me from all the enjoyment of being with others and discussing things.
We needed the chance to enjoy the meal prepared.
The chance to smell different, spices even in a shop; is awakening my senses already! I sneakily try to smell foods because I want to see if it is: “out of date”. Don’t you?
Slowing it all down, means, being able to indulge in mindfulness. To help the mind be aware of the food that is around us.
Our digestive system needs us to take time. Our senses needs us to take time. So, slowing it all down would help benefit the whole enjoyment out of life.
Think in these stages:
MEDITATION/QUIET ZONE
USE ALL YOUR SENSES
FEEL
TASTE
SMELL
SLOW IT ALL DOWN
EVERY BITE FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS
TRY TO CHEW SLOWLY.
To conclude, I do not see why we have to wear a mask to show the world how de-sensitized we are becoming. I do not see why restaurants should not place people in better seating areas and make a more tranquil atmosphere.
It would be nice to envisage a world— where we could be mindful of our surroundings. Even take children out of their inside spaces to — expand their minds — through eating outside. Engage in using the outside eating area — unless it rains — I really do not think a child should be forced to eat inside, during 25 °C (77°F) or above. It seems cruel!
We used to pass on a little bit of wisdom from being able to discuss how we eat things. Nowadays— it is not a discussion— scientists and media are beginning to tell you how you are meant to eat something.
Exploration and how a person, develops is just a thing of the past for some, I suppose.
I just cannot see the enjoyment for even a scientist to explore mindful techniques and introduce them to the population— if the journalists want people to choke on their meals every day— they do not allow the realms of discussion anymore.
Awakening our senses should be the first thing we think about; the last thing we do before we go to bed.
BON APPETITE
Weird and Wonderful 
Reblogged this on worldtraveller70.
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Thank you! I hope that you enjoy your next dining experience 🍽 😀
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