A Daily Dose of Tranquility

It is always amazing to me how quickly the end of summer always seems to slip away into the cracks of time. If I had to pick a favorite month of summer, it would June since the scope of the season seems to be endless... plans can still be made for July and August... time seems to be spilling from my palm... responsibilities are pushed aside. Each day is enjoyed slowly, as compared to August where days are jammed with things still not accomplished before the turn of the season. Since we have entered into late summer, let us remember to slow down when we can. Breath. Focus our attention on the immediate life. Bring our busy thoughts and anxiety of the future back to the small things like a cold glass of iced tea or the way the trees move with the cool morning air. One of my favorite ways to slow down is to go up to the top of my apartment's roof patio to watch the evening sky roll in from the west. Joe and I have recently discovered the peaceful tranquility of slowing down on our roof. After our bellies are full of supper, we quickly clean up, grab a cold drink and a good book, climb the two flights of stairs to the rooftop and settle into a plastic patio chair to chat and read until its too dark to see. Do you have a place of peace? I highly recommend finding one, even if it is a comfy chair with a soft lamp in a quiet corner, or sitting on the cement steps leading up to your front door, or the rhythm that your footsteps make as you stroll below the canopy of trees on your street.

Relax. Enjoy. Reflect. 

Welcoming the evening sky...

In much of the same relaxed spirit, slow down your meal times. Make every meal special. This doesn't require fancy ingredients or multiple courses. Try some of the following suggestions, and most (except perhaps the wine, hehe) can be applied to any time of day!

Set the table
Light a candle
Eat with someone
Have a glass of wine
Put a slice of lemon in your water
Purchase table linens to brighten up the display
If you are having leftovers, try taking it out of the tupperware
Never eat out of tupperware
Always dish up food onto your plate
Take smaller bits and chew your food longer... savor.
Have a bowl of fresh fruit on the table
Pick a bunch, or a couple, fresh flowers from your garden to put on the table
Cook with someone
Turn off the TV
Park your cell phone away from the table
Refuse to answer your phone during a meal
Put on your favorite album or public radio
Open the window if it is nice weather
Discuss (or mentally discuss if alone) the flavors and ingredients of the food you are eating
Set you utensil down every once in a while and look around you or engage in an aspect of conversation... your food isn't going to run away so enjoy it

Too often we try to multitask, especially for breakfast and lunch. Meals are taken while surfing the internet, doing your hair, driving your car (please do not do this!), answering emails, or even worse, skipped altogether. Setting aside time to eat can be an annoyance during a busy work day, but even finding 10-15 minutes to instill your full attention on your food not only helps you fuel your body and mind for the remainder of your hectic day (and away from the candy machine or pantry when you are gripped with hunger later in the day), but your mind will be more at peace, returning you to your day with a refreshed perspective. Focus on the unique flavors that you are eating, chew slowly, move away from your work desk or clean off your kitchen table before eating to help cultivate a tranquil environment. Food should never be an afterthought. It should be a priority. You deserve the best!

As many of you return to your chaotic lives, or continue them, I wanted to extend these few words of advice for transforming a typical day into one with a bit more calm.  I also wanted to put in a plug for a book I just finished reading called,  Mediterranean Women Stay Slim Too: Eating to be sexy, fit, fabulous!  It is written by an energetic Italian chef, Melissa Kelly, who is dedicated to changing the way in which woman approach food and their lives. I found it to be a bit cheesy at times, but I think Melissa did a brilliant job at addressing ways in which we can untangle many aspects of our crazy lives in order to embrace a more relaxed and healthy ("Mediterranean") lifestyle. If you are looking for more balance in your life, and love food (duh!), I highly recommend this read. There are also wonderful recipes and wise quotes scattered within the chapters that I will reference for years to come.  Melissa's holistic approach to life in a nutshell:

Caring for your body, mind, and spirit with 

good food, exercise, fresh air, strong 

families, and enduring friendships 

will nurture us into old age (p. 311). 

May you enjoy the last drops of summer and beyond. Peace, and salut, to enduring health and happiness!

A little silliness never hurts either :)