Do you enjoy cooking? What was the last meal you cooked? How much attention or love did you put into your meal? From heating up a meal in a microwave to cooking a full three course dinner or anything in between, do you cook in the moment? Are you mindful or are you rushing to get it over with so you can eat it and get on with your day or evening?
We have spoken previously about eating mindfully so take it right back to the cooking stage. Put your love, time and focus on the five senses, (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch) and pay attention. Instead of listening to music a book or podcast or even watching tv whilst you cook pay attention to the whole process by switching them off.
I have come up with 7 points below, to pay attention using your senses. I’m not saying for each of the points you need to be focused but instead be aware. Here are some thoughts and ideas to help you cook in a mindful way.
- Gather the ingredients – get everything you need to make your meal. Where are you taking them from? Out of the fridge, freezer or do you have to stretch up to get it from a cupboard or bend down to reach? What are the textures of the packets or the vegetables? Do you have tins or spices in jars? Now notice all you have set out in front of you, look at the shapes, sizes and colours. Think about where your ingredients come from and the journey it has taken to get to your kitchen.
- What utensils do you need? – Do you have to measure out spices with a teaspoon or chop vegetables with a knife or do you need weighing scales? What about pans or casserole dishes? How do the utensils feel? Are they stainless steel – smooth and cold or are they silicon – flexible and soft. Are your bowls glass or plastic? Have you had them for a long time or are they new? Maybe you have your Grannies dishes that she used and could tell a story or two. Pay attention to what you use, how you use it and why you use it.
- If you are following a recipe or cooking from memory or even making it up as you go along, why did you choose to make this meal? Does the smell evoke a childhood memory or do you love the smell of spicy or fruity food? What about the texture of the food as you eat it? Can you envisage what it will look like on a plate once ready if you are winging it? Do you do as the guidelines suggest and eat the rainbow? Are you a planner and planned this meal in advance or do you like to see what you feel like eating on the day? A recipe is so much more than just food. It can tell a story through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
- Chopping/dicing/slicing – Now it comes to chopping your vegetable or ingredients. What does the vegetable feel like before and after you chop? Is it soft and firm such as a tomato and then when you slice it, it becomes more liquid and fleshy? What noise does it make when your knife goes through to the chopping board? What smells are released? Slicing a lemon is very fresh but what smells do you get when you chop herbs or spring onions? Do your eyes tear up with the strong onion aroma? Think about how this whole food came to you and by chopping it in certain ways you are making it into a lovely dish to enjoy.
- Stirring or mixing – Do you need to mix the ingredients together before you begin the cooking process? Are they dry ingredients or are they a mixture? Do you have to add any oil to the pan or dish? Now that you have started to cook, what does it feel like to stir – is it like soup where it is easy and free or is it thick like a bolognaise and has a bit of resistance? Now heat is being applied, what changes do you notice – think of colours, smells, texture. Is it bubbling in the pan or is it gently heating? Perhaps you have a small teaspoonful to taste before you continue. Is it balanced or too salty or sweet? Do you need to add more flavours or herbs?
- Baking, frying, or grilling – Do you have to turn the ingredients over throughout the cooking process so it cooks evenly or is it covered with a lid so will steam cook as well as bake or is it sizzling in the pan? When you open the oven and the steam comes out what does it smell like? Watch the steam rise. Be careful though as it will burn if you are too close. Are there any last minute additions you need to make? Such as a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of salt and pepper? What is the final thing you need to do, before you can serve up?
- Plating up – Serve your meal up anyway you choose. However, pick the plate that suits the dish the best. You may only have one kind of plate and that is perfectly fine. But if you have other dishes, then why not make use of them, put it in a bowl instead of a flat plate. You don’t need to be neat when serving up, but try to make your plate as appealing as possible. Does it look bright and colourful? Is it appealing to all your senses? Are you sharing it with family and friends? Maybe you have colourful napkins you put out on the table or you just have good old kitchen towel. Serve up your dish and be proud of it. You made it after all.
Eating mindfully is one thing but to really put focus into the cooking and pay attention to each part or parts of the process will add to your appreciation of what you can do with several ingredients. Love what you cook and you may even find it to be a soothing process.
I hope this has given you some ‘food’ for thought. Is there anything you love to cook and really find satisfying when you bring it all together? Maybe you already cook mindfully – great if you do.
Have a great week, thank you for reading and look after you!
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 