Soup and Mindful Eating: Exploring the Connection between Soup and Mindfulness
As soup enthusiasts, we know the importance of soup in our everyday lives. A good soup provides nutrition, warmth, and comfort. It can soothe cold symptoms, ease digestive issues, and even help with a hangover.
But how many of us really think about what we’re eating? How often do we stop to think about the process, the ingredients, and how the food tastes? In this article, we will explore mindfulness.
Specifically, mindful eating and how soup can perfectly be integrated into this calming and helpful technique. We’ll also give you a list of soups that are great for mindful eating, and a fabulously delicious recipe, so you can get started with some mindful soup eating right away.
What Is Mindfulness?
In a nutshell, mindfulness is a Zen technique practiced in Buddhism. It basically means being aware of your surroundings and, in the moment.
Using the senses to fully experience the world around you. Connecting with smells, sounds, sights, textures, and tastes. Taking everything in and contemplating and enjoying without judgment or bias.
Mindfulness And Soup: The Connection
In recent years, this Buddhist practice has become popular with people looking to change their eating habits. It’s even become part of treatment programs that assist people with eating disorders. The aim is to help patients not only learn healthier eating habits, but to rethink their relationship with food as a whole.
The goal is not necessarily weight gain or loss, but rather to learn how to appreciate food for what it is, at the moment it’s in front of you. For example, if you’re hungry the food will solve that immediate problem. You’re not worried about how many calories you’re consuming or how much fat the food contains.
Soup is the perfect food for the practice of mindful eating. We literally take one spoonful at a time, so you’re not just inhaling it. Often, we must wait for it to cool, so we’re already practicing patience. It also gives us the opportunity to examine the soup.
Tips For Mindful Eating
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to mindful eating. It’s a personal process where you decide what you want to achieve, and how you will go about doing that.
Here, we simply offer some guidance and tips that may help you get started on the journey.
1. Start with a shopping list.
Make a list of ingredients you need and stick to it. Don’t but unnecessarily items. While shopping, pay attention to what the food looks and smells like. Read ingredients, and try to buy fresh.
2. Limit distractions at the table.
Shut off the television, music, and leave devices, (such as phones) in a separate space.
4. Once at the table, allow your senses, and mind to connect with your soup.
Look at the soup, take in the aroma, and feel the warmth (or chill) or the bowl with your fingertips.
5. Make sure that you’re hungry when you sit, and not just eating to eat.
Don’t eat just to eat, you won’t appreciate it as much.
6. Take a moment to appreciate that you have this amazing soup.
Express gratitude to everyone (farmers, store employees, truck drivers, etc.) that helped you to have the food.
7. Take small bites, chew slowly, and really taste the soup.
Basically, don’t wolf down the soup. Take your time and enjoy it.
8. Stop eating when you’re full, even if there’s still food left in the bowl.
Break away from the old way of thinking that a plate must be cleaned. It’s ok to save the rest for later.
A List Of Soups That Are Perfect For Mindful Eating
These soups are not only healthy and delicious, but they can help you practice mindful eating. Loaded with a variety of fresh ingredients, health benefits, and unique flavors, you have the opportunity to let your senses take the lead.
Take your time to appreciate each spoonful of goodness and contemplate what it’s doing for your body, mind, and taste buds.
1. Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho
This chilled soup is so refreshing and spicy, you’ll be able to really enjoy a full sensory experience. It’s perfect to enjoy in a hot summer day.
2. Red Lentil Soup
This vegan soup is full of nutrients, and guaranteed to help you concentrate on the intense flavors and the unique history of the ancient lentil. This is a great soup to awaken the senses on a cold winters evening.
3. Split Pea Soup
The texture of split pea is enough to get you to slow down and be mindful of this hearty soup. Add in the nutritious flavors, and Zen will be upon you in no time.
4. Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup has been known for years for its ability to sooth and reduce symptoms of illness. It’s a truly wonderful soup that deserves to be appreciated and enjoyed while eating.
5. Roasted Pumpkin Soup
This amazing vegetable turns into the best soup for the practice of mindfulness. With its natural, earthy flavors, and smooth texture, it can definitely give you a lot to think about.
6. Yukgaejang Soup
A beef and vegetable based soup from Korea, this soup is delicious and nutritious. It can be a wonderful experience to sit with this soup to appreciate and share in a different culture. To sit and be grateful that we all have the opportunity to experience different cultural traditions and cuisines.
Recipe For A Delicious Mindful Soup
Not only will this soup encourage mindfulness, but it’s loaded with nutrients and electrolytes to balance out your body’s systems.
Ingredients
- 2 cup of a non-starchy vegetable (zucchini, radish, squash, etc.)
- 1 cup of non – bitter leaf vegetable (butter lettuce, spinach, turnip greens)
- 1/4 cup of seaweed
- 1 tablespoon of lentil sprouts
- 6 cups of sunflower greens
- 2 cups of buckwheat greens
- 1 cup of chopped papaya
- 1 fresh lime, cut into wedges
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 cup of cabbage rejuvelac (fermented cabbage)
For The Cabbage Rejuvelac
- 6 cups of green, red, or purple cabbage, chopped
- 3-1/2 cups of water
Instructions
1. Purée the chopped cabbage in a blender, with the water. Pour into a glass jar and seal. Store at a temperature of at least 74 degrees for 3 days. Open once a day to release air.
2. When the cabbage has fermented, and you’re ready for soup making, take the rejuvelac, veggies, seaweed, spiritus, and garlic and place them in a blender. Keep it on pulse, so as not to over blend.
3. Add the greens a little at a time, and blend until smooth.
4. Pour into bowls and add papaya, lime, and ginger, and serve.
