The Big Picture

    I like the term mindful eating, it's a pretty simple idea, but it takes practice to apply.

Pay attention to what your eating and how much. Ask is this food I am eating good for my body? Is the way it's produced good for the environment.  Am I eating it just because I think it tastes good or because it is nourishing too.
    I was out hiking with my dog this morning and I was thinking about foods I used to love that I know are not good for me.  I imagined taking a great big handful of cold M&M's and popping them into my mouth, yum.  Then I suddenly remembered what I felt like a few minutes after I ate them. Fat, bloated, disgusted with myself and my teeth felt like they had sweaters on them.
    When you are constantly eating for instant gratification do you ever think about the big picture.  If you are not healthy now can you imagine what you are going to be like in 20 or 30 years from now? Do you want to be healthy and active in your senior years or do you want to have chronic pain, immobility and disease?
    What about your kids? What are you teaching them? Are you going to be a long term burden on them for health care? Or are you going to be healthy and vibrant and be the fun grandma/pa?
    Think before you eat.  Be proud of eating healthy, you never know how you will effect someone in a positive way.