Are You Mindful or Mindless in the Kitchen?

I'm traveling for a few days so thought I would post an article that I crafted for one of those "women's magazines." I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it! Bon Appetit!

Breathing in, I select,

Breathing out, I slice.

Breathing in, I sautee,

Breathing out, I simmer.

Breathing in, I serve,

Breathing out, I savor.

I’ve not always been a mindful cook. A mindful cook is one who is fully present—living in the moment, here and now, with complete attention. Knowing this, it seems to me that a mindful cook is also one who thoroughly enjoys food preparation. Sadly, this has not been my kitchen experience until recent years.

Depending on what stage of householding I was in, I would say, overall, that I have been a “mind-less” cook, a resentful cook, a “stay out of my kitchen because I really don’t want to be here” cook. Making tasty meals was something my stay-at-home grandmother and my mother did, not me. Not a 21^st century woman trying to balance work, family, and personal needs. Making meals for a hungry family (or guests) felt to me like a burdensome task.

I am happy to announce that all that has changed. What brought about this change? Mid-life mindfulness. Along with a deep desire to enjoy everything about life, not just selected activities.

My journey into living more mindfully began in the early 90s. Due to a health crisis, I was forced to get off the rollercoaster of life, slow my pace down to a crawl, and learn to just “be.” In the transformational year that followed, I embraced mindfulness, living with full and present attention to the moment at hand. Not in the past, caught up in regret. Not in the future, distracted by worry or fear. It was very freeing to begin to live more in the present, with greater joy and appreciation for life as it was.

Cooking, for me, was one of the last frontiers to be conquered with mindfulness. I had fought meal making for so long that it was a relief to finally stop battling it. Despite all my good intentions, buying new cookbooks and watching the Food Channel never did help. “Being” in the kitchen did. In reflecting upon my own journey into mindful cooking, I’ve come up with some guidelines that might help you, too, make the shift, from being a reluctant cook to a relaxed cook. And, perhaps, in time, even a joyful cook.

“Be” the Chef

Mindful cooking is not about getting the meal made so we can get on to more important things. It’s about fully enjoying the process. It’s about taking all the time we need to wash, chop, and prepare a meal in a relaxed fashion.

Plan accordingly, and give yourself plenty of time to just “be the chef.” This is one of the “rules,” if you will, of mindfulness. When you are doing something, just do that one thing. When you are rinsing, rinse. When you are chopping, chop. When you are sautéing, sauté. Do you get the picture? Do one thing at a time, completely focused on that one task and find simple enjoyment in it. Let go of the need to multitask (unlike many of the cooks we see on television). Go slowly, breathe, and smile. Enjoy the journey of preparing.

Turn Your Senses Up to High

Do you remember the movie “Chocolate”? Viane Rocher, played by Juliette Binoche, was the consummate, mindful cook. Just watching her sensually choose the ingredients for her innovate, love-inducing chocolates, tenderly create them, and hand them out to unsuspecting customers was enough to make us salivate with desire and envy.

Have you ever noticed that really good cooks ogle, pinch, sniff, and salivate over the ingredients? They seem to have highly attuned senses. Much of the joy of cooking comes from our ability to savor. Instead of grabbing what works, seek out ingredients that tantalize your senses. This past summer, for me, it was fragrant rosemary and chives cut from my garden; juicy red tomatoes, bright green broccoli, and fresh-picked baby lettuces from our local farmer’s market.

As we become aware of the sensory effect food has upon us, we tend to seek out and use foods that delight and inspire. While you are cooking, as an exercise in mindfulness, turn your senses up to high. Consciously notice the colors, textures, and smells all around you. Ogle, pinch, sniff, and salivate to your heart’s delight!

Make It An Ambient Experience

I discovered, over time, that my dislike of cooking was also related to a dislike of my kitchen. My kitchens have always been small and cramped with very little counter space. In my current home, I don’t have a lot of counter space but what I do have is a large stovetop surface, good lighting, and a beautiful window to look onto my garden. I’ve noticed that when I can gaze out into nature, watch the birds at their feeders, and appreciate the hue of the sky I am one happy chef. I don’t mind chopping or even washing dishes because of the ambience that surrounds me.

If your kitchen is not to your specifications, add elements that soothe you. Burn a fragrant candle, put on your favorite music, wear comfortable clothing, especially shoes for standing. Pamper your self a bit when you’re cooking to more fully enjoy the experience.

Garnish with Love

I’m convinced that any thoughts and feelings, positive or negative, we may hold while cooking not only impact our entire experience, but can affect the food as well. Call me crazy, but food, prepared thoughtfully, with love and care, seems to taste better than food made with upset or in haste. Mindful cooking allows us to be fully awake and aware, relaxed and happy, eager to share the fruits of our labors with others.

The most mindful cooks I know actually infuse the meal with love before serving. Some actually bless the food. Try silently garnishing your food offerings with a hefty dose of love, then notice what happens. I’m willing to bet smiles will abound around your table, accompanied by effusive thanks for a meal well-made—one created mindfully, from the heart.

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(Want to learn more about Mindful Cooking? You might enjoy this movie trailer of "How to Cook Your Life," a great little movie featuring Zen Chef Edward Epse Brown.

Photo image courtesy of http://www.healthylivingtip.com)