Really, truly, you can go and have dinner at a restaurant where you won’t be able to see the food! Dark Dining Projects, Opaque and O.noir are just a few of them.
These are hot spots around North America that plunge you into darkness to plunge you deeper into your senses (other than your sight).
Now, I think this is fascinating, in fact I really wanted to try it. So, I did! I closed my eyes and ate my lunch!
There is a lot to be learned by doing this! It’s actually a phenomenal exercise in conscious eating that I highly recommend.
This is what happened for me:
Stillness
I necessarily had to sit down if I was going to do this experiment. No eating at the counter if I was going to close my eyes.
Single Pointed Focus
No multi-tasking. Once I closed my eyes, I stopped scanning the mail, checking my iPhone, and fretting about the mess in my kitchen.
Inward Focus
My attention immediately turned inward, to sensations and feelings.
Heightened Sensations
Everything I tasted was more intense and my sense of smell became finely tuned.
Slowing down
I ate slower, I moved slower (I didn’t want to miss my mouth or make a huge mess!)
Breath
When I slowed down, I breathed more.
Relaxation
I slowed down, I breathed more…and I relaxed!
Awareness Of Satiety
I noticed when I was full right away! There was nothing to distract me from belly’s “I’m full” message. I didn’t overeat, not one bite.
Pleasure
I loved it! I deeply enjoyed my food, my own company, and my experience.
Nourishment
I felt deeply nourished on all levels! Body, Mind & Spirit.
So, go to a dark dining restaurant or just close your eyes, but try it, bring more awareness to your experience of eating, see what you get out of it and let me know.
I know that the more awareness I bring to my life, the more alive I feel.
Thus…Body Alive, Body Aware!
Also, if you would like to have a more conscious relationship with your food and your body let’s talk! I help busy women who are great at taking care of everything and everyone else but not great at taking care of themselves!
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Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, LMT is the Smokin’ Hot Mom Mentor and Family Wellness Expert. She’s the founder of SmokinHotMom.com and HealthyYummyKids.com. She helps busy moms look and feel their best, and helps them feed their kids well in a world that doesn’t. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD by mail and receive her healthy recipes and wellness tips click here.
Nina Manolson, MA, NBC-HWC, is a Body-Peace™ Coach.
She is a board certified Health Coach, Psychology of Eating Coach and Certified Body-Trust Provider, believes that every woman deserves to feel good in her own body.
She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can truly feel at peace in their body! She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and The Nourished Woman Nation.
She specializes in working with women over 40 who have tried many other diets and approaches but are still struggling with their relationship to body and food.She’s the creator of the BODY-LOVE MAP and the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.To take a powerful step on the Body-Peace™ Path, download your Practicing Body-Peace Journal right HERE.
If you’d like help with navigating an authentic and respectful relationship with your body. Let’s talk.
