Eating as a Spiritual Experience

Yesterday I read an in essay by Judy Harrow in Witches & Pagans magazine about spirituality and food choices.  The author wrote about choosing to be an omnivore and how that choice related to her concept of Mother Earth and other pagan beliefs and practices.

I, too, am an omnivore, and I have thought a lot about how my decisions about food are tied to my spirituality. Books I have read by Michael Pollan, such as The Omnivore's Dilemma and Food Rules, have also affected my conclusions on the topic. In addition, I have food sensitivities and intolerances to sugar, cow's milk, soy, yeast, and some preservatives and additives, that contribute to the way I look at and choose what I eat.

There are a number of religious and spiritual traditions that tie ritual practices to foods and eating.  For example, the laws of kashrut dictate certain choices that make observant Jews conscious of what they consume each day. Many Buddhists are vegetarians. Hindus may be vegetarians or may just decline to eat beef. Devout Muslims don't eat pork or drink alcohol and eat meat prepared in a way similar to the laws of kashrut. A number of Christians give up certain foods for Lent every year. Some Native American peoples have a tradition of saying a prayer of thanks to an animal they kill for food, and of using every part of the animal so they don't waste any of it.

In addition, many people go on certain diets for ethical or medical reasons, but you don't have to be a vegetarian, vegan, or on a Paleo or gluten-free diet to make conscious decisions about food.  I eat everything that doesn't trigger my migraines or allergies.  However, I do attempt to choose wisely and mindfully, based on certain considerations.

I try to eat as much fresh, whole, unprocessed or minimally-processed food as possible. I try to avoid food grown with pesticides or raised with hormones.  I look for the non-GMO label (no genetically-modified organisms in the ingredients) on packaged foods, and terms such as "100% grass fed" on packaged meats.  I buy locally grown and produced items when I can. I often shop at grocery stores that have clear standards about the products they will sell. I try not to waste food.  I may make enough of something to last two or three days, and then I try to finish all of it.  "Leftovers" is just another term for good food, in my opinion.

I say "try" because I don't always adhere to these guidelines.  When I eat at restaurants, I usually don't know the details about their menu items.  Because of my food sensitivities, however, I ask a lot of questions about the ingredients in the foods they sell. Despite the hassle that my food restrictions cause when I eat food prepared by someone besides myself and have to ask all these questions about it, I am often grateful for my crazy food needs, because they force me to eat healthier food and raise my consciousness about what I eat.

Now, with Thanksgiving coming soon, another aspect of food consciousness occurs to me.With all the bounty of this season, I must remember people whose pantries are much less bountiful than mine. Food banks and shelters often ask for food and money for food this time of year. It's not the only time of the year to give to others, but it's just more prevalent in mass media and public awareness right now. So I can't enjoy my holiday feasts without contributing to the people who have less to eat or those agencies which feed other people.

"Spiritual" has different meanings for different people, but one common definition is "of or pertaining to the spirit  or soul."  Spirituality in feeding myself and others, in choosing and preparing food, means to me that which fills my soul as well as my body. Remaining aware of the consequences of my food choices to myself, other people, other organisms, and the planet serves a spiritual function in my life.

My First Blog Post

This is my first post and an introduction to my new blog.  It is a place for me to express my views, to expand on thoughts I've expressed briefly elsewhere, and to share ideas with family and friends.

On this page, I will unafraid to be political, unafraid to be spiritual, unafraid to be wacky when I want to be.  I have recently retired from my job of 18 years.  Now I have a little more time to write, and some perspective, I hope that comes from a few extra years on the planet.

Stay tuned for more musings.  I ask for your indulgence in letting this old, crazy feminist share her musings with you.