The many roles of food, the versatility of food, the intimacy of food. Food is so much more than what you put in your mouth. The way you use food is the one thing that you can individually control. You can control what you put in your mouth or what you do not put in your mouth.
Food can be used to express compassion as we take food to those that are ill or in mourning. Food can be used as a way to punish yourself. When you are angry with your body for some reason you withdraw and refuse it nourishment. Food is a reward, a celebration, a connection, and an experience. There are few things as powerful as food.
Our awareness, understanding, and use of food has changed over the last century. I talked about this last week when we talked about food being communal and cultural. Food is brought as a dish to share at a potluck. Baked goods have been sold to raise funds at schools. Lemonade stands pop up in neighborhood as young budding entrepreneurs share their refreshment. Relationships are created and deepened across a table as you share food.
This kind of interplay and connection is diminishing because of fear of contamination or perceived time in preparation. As a society we are replacing tradition and connection with convenience and ready made for you experiences.
Consider what you are compromising or losing with that cultural shift as we lose the connection and caring that we are investing into that food preparation and sharing. There is an interplay that happens with food more than any other commonality among all societies and all people. The need for openness, compassion, and creativity to be able to love, share and heal with food.
Food for healing:
My personal favorite and foundation for keeping systemic inflammation down are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory foods and phytonutrients. The heavy hitters for these 3 healers are found in plants such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and seeds.
Foods with natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties are also found in plants. These foods differ from the pharmaceutical versions of antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals as your body is able to use it as needed in the quantity as needed without creating imbalances and side effects.
Foods that support organ function are herbs, berries, citrus, and root vegetables which are high in micronutrients that detoxify and eliminate damaged or senescent cells and replace them with healthier cells.
Foods that support energy and vitality with cell regeneration include nuts, seeds, and fermented vegetables providing prebiotic food and a probiotic environment for your microbiome diversity. These foods paired with the previously mentioned antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, phytonutrients, and micronutrients of plants keep your immune system primed to intercept any rogue cells or foreign pathogens.
Foods that encourage metabolism and balanced hormone function include cruciferous vegetables, fiber rich foods, healthy fats and protein to name a few. Eating good mood food and eliminating processed foods has been shown to be more effective than psychotropic medications prescribed for depression, anxiety, mood stabilizers, and stimulants. Similar to the natural antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, good mood food stabilizes and heals without side effects or damage to the bodies systems.
How do you use foods to heal?
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1 окт 2024
