Busy weeknights spent rushing between work, school, and after-school activities can often mean you’re eating on the go. Even when you’re able to get home in time to prepare a nice homemade meal, you might find yourself rushing through the meal so you can start cleaning the dishes or getting the kids ready for bed. Life is hectic, but your mental health and well-being need to slow down and really enjoy each moment. That’s what mindful eating is all about.
Eating more mindfully can help you transform meals from a chore into an opportunity for joy and presence in your nonstop routine. By savoring every bite, you can appreciate food better: how it tastes, how it was grown, and how it impacts your health and well-being.
Mindful eating isn’t hard to do. All you need to do is be fully present and pay close attention to the flavors, textures, aromas, and colors of your meals ー the crunch of a fresh pepper, the sweet burst of a ripe tomato, the crisp, refreshing juice of a cucumber. This kind of mindfulness nurtures a deep sense of gratitude for the food that sustains us.
Make thoughtful choices –
It all begins in the produce aisle where you can focus on making thoughtful choices about what to buy. Explore a wide variety of different fresh options and learn to appreciate every fruit and veggie in your cart with mouthwatering recipes. Choosing new and unique ingredients can open you and your family up to new experiences and cultures.
The fresh flavors of greenhouse grown fruits and vegetables nourish your mind and body in a way that processed foods simply can’t. There’s no comparison for the level of crisp, sweet freshness you get to enjoy 365 days a year. Plus, by choosing greenhouse grown produce, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re taking steps towards a more mindful, sustainable way of living.
A great recipe to test this new, mindful approach is Poached Egg Buddha Bowls, a satisfying lunch or dinner that only takes twenty minutes to prepare. Tiki Tomatoes™ will quickly light up your taste buds with their tropical sweetness, slowly giving way to the more subtle flavors of fresh ricotta cheese, lemon juice, artichoke, mint, and poached eggs. Each unique ingredient perfectly complements the others, combining to create a holistic eating experience you can enjoy one bite at a time.
Build off fresh ingredients –
Sometimes, it can be helpful to pick your favorite fresh ingredient and use it as the starting point for a delicious recipe. Azuca Red Cherry Tomatoes are a popular fresh snack to keep on your kitchen counter for when hunger strikes. Their juicy richness also fits perfectly in a homemade pasta dish like Cherry Tomato Caprese Pasta Salad. Each bite bursts with incredible fresh flavor thanks not only to the tomatoes, but also bocconcini cheese, baby spinach, and basil. Drizzled with a balsamic dressing, this salad is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients coming together to create a dish that is both comforting and invigorating.
Lentil & Long Sweet Pepper Salad is a fusion of nourishing ingredients and vibrant flavors, embodying the principles of mindful eating in every bite. This salad features Craft House Collection® Aurora Long Sweet Peppers, which bring a sweet and savory taste, not to mention a satisfying crunch, that stands out against the earthy, tender lentils. The addition of Sangria® Medley Tomatoes injects a burst of juicy sweetness and a kaleidoscope of colors, turning the salad into a visual feast. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to contribute not just taste but also texture and nutritional value, creating a well-rounded dish that delights the senses.
Dill Pickle Chicken Salad is a great example of how even a simple salad recipe can be a rich sensory experience. All you need to do is roast chicken breasts in the oven for about 25 minutes, dice them, and mix them with diced pickles and green onions. Then, add chopped Sweet Bell Peppers and mix with a creamy combination of mayo, yogurt, pickle juice, dijon mustard, dill, salt, and pepper. It’s a summertime favorite you can enjoy any time of the year! Mindful eaters will appreciate the contrast between Sweet Bell Peppers, salty, tangy dill pickles, and creamy mayo sauce in this colorful side dish.
Mindful eating is more than a different way to enjoy food, it’s a way to transform your relationship with food, your body, and the world around you. From the grocery store to the dinner table, mindful eating encourages us to slow down and appreciate life’s simple joys. For more healthy living tips and delicious recipes, sign up for our newsletter.
