Intake Awareness
How do I want to eat?
I want to eat like the Buddha. Not like a gluttonous pig, but rather I want to savor the smaller portions and eat simple and healthy. I just recall reading a long time ago what some young lady gave the pre-Buddha, some rice pudding, when he must have been so hungry from not eaten for so long. The old me would chow down and be disappointed it was gone so quickly. I just see some people eating slowly and savoring and I think it is a bit of an art form. I am so much better at this. 
My favorite new creation lately is a ever so slightly thickened brown rice soup (like rice pudding) that I added a little dried fruit, nuts and seeds. I used 1% milk and almond milk. I added some cardamon and cinnamon and it was perfect. I have been avoiding all sweeteners lately…ALL and I feel very good about this. I have such an incredible sweet tooth. This is me, I will go to a restaurant and plan my meal around what I will have or split with another for dessert. Anyways, I am not having so many desserts after meals. If I want later as a snack I am having fruit. So how else do I want to eat?
In Saskatoon there is an organization called Chep and they sell people locally grown food. So you pay a certain amount and then they deliver you a box of unknown food, but local. You can even get organic for a little more. Very cool. In the new year, once our food has depleted a little more, we are going to do this once in awhile. What is great about eating locally? Less fuel in the air from lengthy travelling for one. Supporting local farmers and producers for two. Fresher produce for three. And less packaging for four! Yah!
When it comes to making purchases I am thinking more about the waste and packaging. I was feeling a little competitive yesterday….hehe. First I was about to take out the recycling (we have Curbside recycling where people pick it up every 2 weeks) when I thought, wow, in the last 2 weeks we did better then the pick-up before….. about half as less. Then I was outside and someone else in our building is now doing the program too, but they had way less….. Hmmm…. I feel like I want to be even less processed foods. Hmmm…. well this is good for the bod and a step towards creating less excess. Still we as a cat family must have our salmon, tuna and cat food so not much can be done about cans. And as the vet tells me, the wet food is best for their digestion and my recently constipated Oscar would have to concur. 
We are also people who do fast food (Taco Time, Wendy’s, DQ) but I feel a bit guilty for the waste. I do not feel bad about eating out. I make resonable choices and there is NEVER any dieter’s guilt. To heck with that! I wonder what the people working in those establishments would do if I took a plate in and just requested they place the food on my plate….hehe. I think once again, I would seem like a WIERDO….lol Hmmm….. more on this test to be tried…later.
So whole foods more often. And we are enjoying what we have. Thanking the Great One for these precious gifts. When I think like this, I am not so wanting of more, psychologically and physiologically (because of chemicals, additives and added sugar and fat). Good times.
Ahhh yes and the other component of weight loss….. MOVEMENT…. off to move my hiney! I am chosing to walk to get some errands done this AM, because this AM is the warmest it will be in at least 4 days. Might as well get out and get some fresh air.
Have a wonderful weekend Everyone! Tea cheers! *hugs*
Love your blog Jennifer
This organization called Chep sounds awesome!! I’m anxious for you to tell us what kinds of food comes in your box. So its always a surprise? how fun is that.
I had to laugh when you mentioned bringing your own plate into a fast food…I can only imagine the looks on their faces LOL!!!
One more thing, the rice soup sounds absolutely deelish!!!! Hope you have a really fun healthy weekend
Hugs
Jane
You just brought back some wonderful memories of me and my grandmother going to the local farmer’s market down on the square when I was little. I remember asking her why didn’t she just go to the grocery store. She told me she wanted to help support the local farmers and besides that, it was a good way to keep in touch with people. She would stand in front of the potatoes and peruse which ones she wanted and talk away to the farmer about the weather and would she see them in church on Sunday and how’s that little Besty getting along. Great memories for me. The farmer’s market now down by the square has dwindled over the years. I miss it.
Oscar is constipated? Have you been feeding him St. John’s Wort? HAHAHAHAHA… Jusssssssst kidding.
Have a great weekend buddy!
Huggggggggggggggs,
Shan
yay Jenn! I too am a ‘locavore’. I try to eat locally as much as possible. It’s good for your body, your community, and the Earth. Love your plans…have a great weekend! *hugs*
You are not a weirdo!! Ok, maybe a little!! KIDDING! You know, I love your idea, it’s such a good one too, about taking your plate in…you are right though, people would look at you kind of funny, but global warming is not a funny thing!
Something interesting I must share with you…ever since I moved to BC, I have become more aware of the waste and of the environment…whenever I go grocery shopping and even to Costco, I always take my huge Ikea bags with me….I never would have done that in California!! And I have become a recycler—-I bought a water bottle from the gym so I don’t have to bring in platic bottles anymore!! CHANGE in this sense is good!
I am still not there with the products that test on animals yet, but I know in due time I will….baby steps for me—-I grew up in the Consumer Capital of the World afterall!
Anyway….keep up the good work my friend—you inspire me to take care of our world and of our animals!! You rock Jenn!
I do love the idea of the Chep organization! You got me in my conscience, I need to be more aware of my environment and do my part. I was doing more, but have been distracted lately. I will start working on this, thanks!
Great blog girl I too buy locally…there is a local, organic, delivery service in Boston and I am trying to budget to get food from them every week! I love your outlook.,.so similar to my own, eating slower, loving our Earth, wasting less…great! Big Hugs girly!