délicieux...

Some time ago I was told about a survey carried out either side of the Channel, which sought to investigate the eating habits of English and French lorry drivers.  Separated by only 26 miles, the disparity across the findings was stark.  When asked to describe their eating habits and patterns, the researchers discovered a serious cultural difference.  Having just returned from a brief sojourn en France, I have paused to reflect on my recent experiences and in particular, those concerning food...

There is no doubt about it, the French most certainly enjoy their food.  And why not?  From the simple to the sublime, the last week has been about good food, locally sourced, simply prepared and savoured.  It has been a luxury and a revelation to take time, and something I intend to incorporate more deliberately into my everyday routine.  Food, for me today, is about more than fuel.  Eating leisurely is an essential component of the digestive process.  Tasting, Chewing, and Breathing are all important, and without any of these vital ingredients, the recipe is likely to be less than successful.  Noticing both taste and texture helps us to prepare our digestive system, activating crucial enzymes and catalysing the processes we need in order to gain the best from what we ingest. 

Being on holiday is a great time to experiment with the signposts so seldom referred to in modern times - hunger and appetite.  In our results orientated culture, we tend to eat when we have time, rather than making time to eat when our bodies will us to.  We eat lunch because it's 'lunch time', but our internal systems are not consulted.  Unconstrained, and out of one's usual routine, it becomes interesting and illuminating to come back to one's senses, and detect the body's signals for food as these tell us not only when we're hungry, but equally importantly, what it is that we are looking for. 

Our physical bodies are incredible machines.  The best we'll ever encounter.  And yet we're apt to neglect, ignore, or override the countless processes that keep us ticking over.  Left to its own devices, the body does a marvellous job.  When we eat because it is the culturally appropriate time to do so, and take in food because it's quick and easy, we do ourselves a great disservice.  We lose connection with our body's inner wisdom, and grow out of sync with the default equilibrium.  Being guided by hunger, appetite and subsequently satiety promotes digestion, and is also likely to enhance mood.  Old habits die hard, but being out of one's comfort zone is not always a bad thing.