Before You Eat… Do You Give Thanks?
Do you pray or in some way acknowledge/give thanks before you eat? A long time ago I read an article about a man travelling with companions, and when they got hungry there was just this little hole in the wall restaurant. The only food available was not particularly healthy, not something they would normally eat. But they prayed over the food, and felt nourished when they ate it.*
Appreciation and ritual are really important to me, and I feel like taking a moment to express gratitude actually affects the way I assimilate my food.
When I was eating meat, I used to acknowledge the sacrifice of the animal and appreciate that another life was feeding my life. I’m doing the vegan thing these days, but still have a little something I say to myself before I eat. I try to remember to do it every time.
I started this over the summer when I was doing a cleanse, and I liked it so much I’ve kept up with it. I’m a little embarrassed to be specific, I guess it will sound hokey to some people. “May this food nourish my body, mind and spirit. May it purify and cleanse me. Blessed Be.” As a good pagan girl, I always throw in the blessed be. I’ve just spent too much of my life scarfing down food without being conscious of it. I feel like that’s unhealthy for me spiritually and physically. I’m trying not to eat on the run any more, or while I’m doing another task. Eating that way makes me feel like I’m mindlessly scooping in food just for basic survival. Busy, busy, busy, right? But I’m trying. I’m really trying to take joy in every bite. My little saying helps me do that, and I actually feel more physically satisfied after a meal.
What about you? Do you take a moment before a meal to acknowledge it in some way?
*if anyone knows where this story comes from, please comment! I think I read it in a yoga magazine.
Yes. I do give thanks to Jesus and ask Him to bless the meal to our bodies. That said, I also enjoy meals very much. -Taking time to eat and gathering together as a family around the dinner table. I think it’s beautiful and I am looking forward to it every day:)
Yep! I pray with my husband at dinner thanking God for the blessings of love that surround us. It’s not a forced tradition, but it sets up dinner conversation in way that makes it more meaningful too.
I’m awful at being consistent with praying before a meal. What I am consistent with is asking questions at the dinner table. No matter who I’m eating with everyone gets asked 3 questions. What was the best part of your day, what did you learn today, and how did God use you and/or bless you. (For my non Christian friends its just how have you been blessed today). I’ve been doing this for 10 years and I love it.
My New Years resolution this year was to enjoy the things I do more. I spent so much time multitasking that I don’t think I fully immersed myself in anything… books, hobbies, exercise, television, etc. I don’t know why I never thought to apply this to food but now I think I will.
Being aware of what you are eating, and drawing attention to it is very good for you.
My favourite is still this though:
http://weknowmemes.com/2012/01/thanks-jesus-for-this-food-de-nada/
Before I eat, I lay my hands flat above my food (not touching it, obviously), I close my eyes and silently give thanks. I do this no matter where I am. It makes me appreciate the food more and how I’m lucky to have it.
I love the Japanese word itadakimasu which translates to “I humbly receive”… It is said to express gratitude for all of the energy that went into growing your food, and the people who played a role in preparing, growing, or ranching the food.
Yes, i give thanks before my meals. It is an excellent (and frequent) opportunity to express and experience gratitude for the gift of nourishment.
@Kat, thanks for sharing that link : )
Love hearing about how other people give thanks!
You have chosen a great topic! I think gratitude at every level is an important step for our entire body-mind-spirit wellbeing. I realized in these years that I blessed food unconsciously since ever, because I enjoyed (and still do) it so much with words and feelings. I also bless the food in my thoughts for many years, from the time I consciously realized the importance of this, since I wasn’t raised with this tradition before. During time I also noticed that I never had problems with my weight because I was always enjoying food, with no doubt or frustration about calories,… While many friends around me suffered about weight, calories…I’m sure there is a strong connection between weight problems and constant worry/complaint/guilt about food you eat. It means never enjoying it. It’s the law of attraction: what you give out, you also receive back. I’m sure it works :)
I love what you say before a meal. I try to remember to give thanks as well. I too have spent too many years scarfing down food and not enjoying or being thankful for what I have. Great post.