The Zen of Eating

My lovely mother sent me a book this week, so I am currently reading: The Zen of Eating. The author, Ronna Kabatznick, who was the psychological consultant to Weight Watchers International for a little less than a decade, explains the relationship we have with suffering (the Buddha defines suffering as "a ravenous appetite, not just for food, but for peace and security") and how to deal with it (not to ignore it, and not to let it take over) through the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path. Oh, and yeah, how it applies to us and food. 

I will hopefully bring a little more wisdom to the blawg table as I read... I'm only about 60 pages in, but I can tell already that it's going to be a great resource for me as I lose a few more pounds and work on maintaining-- without feeling like I'm depriving myself, and without going crazy and starting to lose myself by giving in to the temptations. I'm realizing, AGAIN, (because I already was starting to realize when I re-introduced processed foods, sloppy portions, etc.) that what I need --and she emphasizes the importance-- is to be mindful of food. We're lucky enough in this country to have enough food that all the choices we have and its incredible speediness, convenience, etc.; well, it makes it so that many of us are not mindful when we eat, causing us to forget where it comes from, forget how many calories we do and don't need, prefer large portions of horrifically processed foods to reasonable portions of whole, clean, satisfying food.... When you take in the beauty of food, appreciate how it came to be, when you think as you're eating it how good it is for you and how it's going to nourish you, it's very empowering. 




In these past couple days, I've stopped snacking, which is incredibly hard. (I don't think there's anything wrong with snacking, but when you're trying to lose a few pounds and re-establish your relationship with food + how it satisfies you, mindlessly munching extra calories most definitely doesn't fit in.) I hope I can stay strong, I think I can. I tell myself, You can eat that, but it's not going to make you happy. Another point in the book is that suffering (or hunger) will come and go. Always. For as long as you're alive. You can eat that snack and feel full, and feel disappointed in yourself, or you can not eat it, and be satisfied in knowing that you're in control. You'll be full again soon anyway. Desires arise and they pass away. Watch as they rise, let them pass away. ZEN BABY!


I want to lose another 10-15 pounds in the next few months, before I go shopping for summer clothes (WHAT AN EXCITING THOUGHT HOLY CRAP!). Vanity pounds, really. I honestly feel like I look great in clothes, and I love it, but I figure I've come all this way and I want a lean, fit body, and when I wear a bathing suit this summer, I want to feel crazy good. So it's back to where I was when I started this blog, following my own rules and figuring out how to be zen, and it's so fitting that this book came into my hands, because I really needed it. I love you, Mommy!


Also: I'm resolving to cook and jar my own beans. Those BPA-lined cans are probably not great for me, and fresh beans taste better. Time to get out the crock pot and make a few batches of garbanzos and black beans! Hopefully another recipe coming. I'm still learning the basics of vegan cooking so I ain't got no flair yet... Cheers!

"What boundless joy, to know there is no true happiness." 

- old Buddhist monk dude