6 minute read
The Start of Something Better with Keith Squires
By Keith Squires
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Most of us are being asked or taking the opportunity to work from home. Or spending more time there by avoiding unnecessary travel. Or your holiday has been cancelled meaning it has turned into a staycation in your own house!
Although these circumstances are not of our choosing. Change is never easy particularly when it is not being led by ourselves. The obvious advantages are that we are saving time travelling and can be more flexible with our day. Possibly be more efficient too and get our allocated work done quicker.
In terms of what we eat this is potentially a massive change. I have noticed that most people are rushing to work fuelling up on coffee and sweet snacks. That is no longer the case so it’s a chance to replace that habit. This change is also long enough to create a new habit which takes 3 days to get it started.
At last a healthy breakfast is a possibility. This could range from a light option of fresh fruit and seeds, porridge with toppings, soaked muesli or a more exotic ayurvedic kitcheri (cooked lentils with rice). Plus fresh fruit and vegetable juices instead of carton ones. A while back I developed our magic meal plan. This was originally for nurses on shift work. We realised that with 12 hour rotating shifts. It meant that most nurses had no chance to cook properly from scratch. This is when we came up with the idea of using a slow cooker or crock pot. The idea being that you can load it up whenever you get home. Sleep and rest then a wonderful one pot meal is ready when you wake up. Then you can take it to work with you in a thermos instead of relying on takeaways and sweet snacks. Now we have realised it’s a great plan even if you are at home all day. If you load it up at breakfast you can have a hearty stew that is ready for lunch. It runs off basic ingredients which is great too if you are trying to minimise contact and a chance to use up lots of packets in your cupboards . Healthy things like lentils, rice dried beans which go a long way and bulk up as you cook them. One hundred grams of lentils for instance bulks up to three hundred when cooked. The main other ingredients are basic veg which go a long way too. Also you can be flexible which ones you use. The great thing about this is that as well as having a healthy breakfast your lunch is chugging away happily all morning.
Without having your daily commute you could exchange this for 20 minutes in your local nature spot. Instead of rushing now is the time to slow down. Nature has not been affected by our human affairs. She is still opening and blossoming as the earth awakens to spring. Now for once there is a chance to listen to her call.
The birds too are unconcerned about our predicament. Even if you can’t get out you can hear their song which is still clear and sweet. Poets recall this even in the worst scenarios of the first world war. As soon as there was a moments quiet birdsong could be heard in this case the beautiful songs of larks.
In spite of our insensitivity as we normally rush past in our cars. Even with the huge areas of concrete in our cities. The chemical sprays we use in our fields and gardens. The way that crowded animals are crushed into intensive farms. In any small corners we leave unattended nature springs forth undeterred. It comes from the earth who is like a mother and whose nature is to give freely.
So just for a moment feel the throb of life under your feet. Get out into the garden and smell the fragrance feel the cool breeze on your face. If you are at home a magical thing starts happening. Towards lunchtime the slow cooker will start communicating with you. Not with electronic buzzes or Bluetooth signals that increase your stress. No alarms but the wafting across of the aroma of a fresh soup or stew. Food gives you a signal when it is ready. Cakes and bread send you a delicious smell just as they are perfectly cooked. But so do soupy stews so let it gently awaken your appetite. This is quite a delicious process an interaction between us and the food. Normally we just grab it and champ it down eagerly.
At work we are so used to fuelling up with a quick snack that is eaten in a rush. Now it is personal as you made the food. Normally we just eat using one or two of our senses - sight and taste. But if you engage your other senses it becomes a more complete experience. As you prepare the vegetables be aware of the sense of touch. Then the sense of hearing the chopping of the vegetables, the sound of sizzling in the pan.
The grinding and sizzling of the spices is another connection. By now you are fully aware that some wonderful food is on its way. Spices stimulate digestion by their heat but also the smell is a signal that we are going to eat.
Now you can check the taste of your crock pot stew. It’s surprising how tasty simple food gets when it is slow cooked. The slow cooking makes everything sweeter and wholesome. Now just season with salt and pepper and a few herbs some nice bread and salad and you have a feast. You should have some of the stew left over to spice up for a second evening meal.
Mindful eating may seem like a far-off dream but now it’s possible. Remember lunch itself is a therapy. We are so used to eating in a rush during a short break. So take your time sit down comfortably. Feel grateful for the food a lot of effort has gone into bringing it to you. Close your eyes and just for a moment thank the earth too for nourishing us. For so long we have taken everything for granted. Some of those things have suddenly disappeared but to have food is still a blessing. For a few moments be grateful for your house or room, fresh water and your internet connection. Then really enjoy the delicate flavours and textures take time to taste.
Power is a great word and nap is a wonderful one too. Put them together and you have something truly magical - a powernap. Its surprising how refreshing they can be. Deep relaxation is more powerful than normal sleep. You may have heard that 1 hour before midnight is worth 2 after. Well multiply that by 4 when it comes to relaxation.
More from Keith
If you would like to keep up with Keith as he shares recipes, motivation, health tips and vegan resources you can visit
Keithonfood.com
and follow Keith on social media.
Keith demonstrating the ‘Sitting Twist’ pose
Keith in India
Keith and Levi Roots
