Listen to Your Body
This morning, I started writing a blog post about raw food diets and minerals. But I got distracted. Minerals and raw food will have to wait. Something much more interesting happened today and I want to share with you.
I was up quite early and decided to run down to the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market. As you know. it is one of my favorite Sunday haunts. Getting there early, before the shoulder to shoulder crowd was a gift. I had the room and the time to absorb the wonderful colors and textures surrounding me. I received another gift this morning. The gift of listening to my body and asking what it needed. I was amazed at the clarity of the answers.
The market was alive today. The herbs, bedding plants and greens have now been replaced by hundreds of cucumbers, eggplant, onions, garlic, melons, sweet corn and carrots along with many other exotics grown by the local farmers. It was dazzling.
As is my usual custom, I started my first trip through. I always walk through twice. On the first pass, I take pictures. I need to be in the moment, searching for shapes, colors, compositions. The second time I buy all of the wonderful things that I book-marked the first time through. Something interesting happened today. As I approached some beautiful, fresh corn (a favorite) I felt a strange rejection. I stopped and took note. It was so loud, I had to listen.
I was so intrigued by this response, I decided to take a minute and instead of just buying what what my mind and eyes were telling me to buy, I simply asked my body what it wanted. The answers were loud and clear. I ended up coming home with an entirely different collection of fruits and vegetables than I thought I would. Not what I thought I “wanted” but apparently what I needed!
The simple asking of the question, asking my body instead of reacting to what my mind thought it wanted was an interesting and fun experience. I came home with an entirely different collection of fruits and vegetables than I thought I would! I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and start creating raw food recipes!
Susie wrote on August 9, 2010
I’m glad you posted this. I’ve noticed since eating a raw diet that my body is always telling me what it wants. I find it’s so important to listen. I crave things that are so good for me which is a great change from the old way of eating. I love your blog and love your recipes. Thanks.
Sarah wrote on August 9, 2010
Great post. Whilst I agree with listening to your body and eating intuitively, is it always a straight forward as this? For example, I usually have fruit for breakfast and a nice, big salad for lunch. Recently, however, I’ve just started having green juices for breakfast instead of fruit. Since doing this I’ve found that the last thing I want for lunch is a salad and end up desiring raw veges and nut cheeze. Should I be listening to my body, or should I be trying to include those greens? Thanks! 🙂
Susan wrote on August 9, 2010
Sarah: Since you are getting greens for breakfast now, maybe that is why. Only you can determine what is best for you. Listen to your body and how it feels after you eat. 🙂
Jurgita wrote on August 9, 2010
What a lovely post! 🙂 I am really enjoying your positive and bright blog posts and photos– all of themare wonderful! Thank you! 🙂
Maya wrote on August 8, 2010
It’s nice to just go for your instinct, it usually turns out ok in the end.
Patricia Halverson wrote on August 8, 2010
Susan……absolutely I will let you know when I pull in.
By the way….I love your website……it’s so vibrant and beautiful and put together so well……really a nice flow!
I’m going to check out your Challenge 21!
Have a beautiful evening!!!
Blessings!
Patricia
Pure2raw twins wrote on August 8, 2010
I try to buy what my body is craving or telling me. It is hard, but a good thing to do.
Patricia Halverson wrote on August 8, 2010
Hello and thank you for sharing your experience!
I call this “mindful eating”…or “conscious eating”……..I try and pay attention to what my higher self is telling me…..and the more pure you are on the inside in terms of food….the clearer it is…..at least for me.
I’m sooooo excited to be moving back to my roots (MN born and raised) and visiting my favorite farmers market again. I’ve been gone for two years. I look forward to meeting “like-minded” people and starting a Raw/Minneapolis potluck!
Namaste’
Patricia Halverson
Susan wrote on August 8, 2010
Patricia: Let me know when you get here. We have a few raw food potlucks in town. Also…you might enjoy the Challenge 21 tab…it is all about mindful eating!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie wrote on August 8, 2010
I have done this before and it really is interesting! Instead of being on auto pilot with what I ‘usually’ get but what I’m really feeling.
Blaine wrote on August 8, 2010
I recently went on a green smoothie feast with the intention of breaking through food cravings and listening more to what my body needed. I was amazed to discover that what I usually reach for out of habit or the need to stifle stress does not appeal to me now that I am paying attention to my body’s signals. Thanks for sharing your experience!
ps- Rawmazing Desserts is on its way to my house – can’t wait to see it!