I was eating one at home.
Actualizado: 27 feb 2021
"Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for your well-being and happiness. Self-love means caring for your needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve."
Hello and Welcome to my blog, "Kitchen and Letters."
If we take the following quote word by word, self-love in terms of food and eating could be understood as loving ourselves so much that we take care of what we eat, how we prepare food, how we eat it, and whom we eat it with. Most of us prefer to eat with others, but sometimes we have to, and many of those times, if not in most cases, we eat what we find without taking so much effort to cook it. We eat in front of the t.v, in bed, cold, out of the can; how many times do we, as single people, even if we are not single, prepare an excellent meal for ourselves with as much more or even more as if we are sharing it with someone?
It took me a while to understand this, until last week, it hit me that life can change. Partners, places, family, and friends, whether we like it or not, change is part of life, but we will always have ourselves. It does not mean it has to be expensive when we cook for one. It must only be representative of us; it does not have to be every day, but we could make an effort to care for ourselves more often than not. I used to eat whatever I found in the fringe, or not even something quick. No one was watching. Why should I make an effort? WHY?? the answer is clear to me now! Because I'm THE MOST critical person in the room, whether I'm single or not, whether I have company or not, and I know this must sound like a cliche, but think about it for one second, self-love is about you, and if you are happy with what you eat alone and feel comfortable eating alone imagine how much you can show that you enjoy food and life when you share it because you have learned to share it with the most critical person that is YOU.
We all have this misconception that we should not treat ourselves well regarding food when we are alone. I think it's all linked to the idea that if you are eating alone is because you are lonely, you don't have anyone to share it with, but what if it was because you have a day of the week like when you go for a walk, or to the gym or whatever you like to do alone as a ME or YOU time and one of those activities are preparing a meal for you, whether breakfast or lunch or dinner, you have a date with you. Only you, that is not because you are lonely. It's because it is perfect for your mental and physical health. Eating alone should be part of our self-care routine. Changing the statistics, we should change those numbers and start the habit of showing up at our table for a meal for one.
"I have to watch out for bad habits associated with eating alone, such as a higher risk for metabolic disease or lower overall diet quality and nutrient intake. Plus, using tech as a distraction when eating alone (scanning social media or watching TV) can contribute to mindless eating."
I will set the table for myself once a week to start, to think as I'm, and show love to myself by cooking a meal that I love, even with the simplest ingredients. I have not felt motivated to cook in years, and since I started writing and analyzing food, all those feelings are getting back to me. I want to cook; I'm starting with myself. Later, I will cook for people, but I'm first in line. I have started already. I make healthier and more balanced breakfasts and more tasty lunches; I'm beginning to be creative and healthy. I'm starting to love it again!
Thank you for reading me,
In good food
Iliana Lanuza
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