How to "Eat, Pray, Love" Without Leaving Home

Online, August 11, 2010 (Newswire.com) - (Phoenix, AZ) -Women were captivated by the book Eat, Pray, Love, a woman's exploration of "the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two." The theme of self-discovery and achieving balance of the body, mind, heart, and spirit touched a raw feminine nerve. When the movie opens on August 13th (starring Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert), many women will see it with girlfriends, followed by a great Italian meal with wine and intense discussion about their own spiritual and romantic journeys. Then what?

"Most women who are overworked, disconnected, and out of touch with their bodies can't take a year off to regroup," says Michelle May, M.D., author of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat. She suggests starting, as Elizabeth did, by rediscovering passionate, guilt-free enjoyment of food. "How we eat is a metaphor for how we live. A conflicted relationship with food is symbolic of the way many women struggle to balance the need to both nourish and nurture themselves."

May is the founder of the Am I Hungry? mindful eating workshops which she says help break the eat-repent-repeat cycle. "Get out of autopilot. Mindful eating is eating with intention and attention. Sensuous enjoyment of food leads to the pleasure and contentment you deserve every day."

Dr. May's final piece of advice: "Self-care is a necessity not a luxury."

Mindful Eating Tips
from Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat by Michelle May, M.D.

• First, recognize whether you're hungry before you start eating. Sometimes "I want a brownie" really means "I want a break." When a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating doesn't satisfy it.

• Avoid working, driving, watching TV, and other distractions while you eat. Sit down at a table even if it's just a snack so you can focus fully on the experience.

• Next, decide how you want to feel when you're finished. When you eat with the intention of feeling better than when you started, you're less likely to overeat.

• Choose food that nourishes your body and your mind. Our society is so obsessed with "eating right" we sometimes eat things we don't even like. Besides, deprivation and guilt cause more overeating.

• Connect with your body by taking a few deep, centering breaths.

• Take a moment to express appreciation and gratitude for your food.

• Select the perfect bite-not necessarily the healthiest, but the one you really want.

• As you eat, savor the aromas, flavors, and textures.

• Eat only small bites since flavors come from taste buds on your tongue and aromas you smell. If your bite is too large, much of the food will be on your teeth, cheeks, and roof of your mouth where there are no taste buds.

• Set your fork down between bites. If you're focused on loading your forkful you aren't paying attention to the one in your mouth.

• Notice when you're approaching your intended fullness. Becoming bored and distracted is a sure sign you're done.

• How do you feel afterward? Remember, eating the right amount of food isn't about being good, it is about feeling good! What went well? What will you do differently next time?

• What else in your life would be more satisfying with more intention and attention?