I am only three days into my experiment on eating comme les Francais (see post below) and I've already learned a lot. I went into it kicking and screaming and although I am doing it with much more ease now, I still feel some resistance. It's not like I need the Eiffel tower outside my window in order to savor my food! (Or that's what I keep telling myself anyway). Eiffel tower aside, here are my notes for the past few days:
Saturday
Breakfast: Woke up late and skipped breakfast… oops!
Lunch: Roast chicken and potato gratin (leftovers). Started out by sitting down (yellow cloth napkin in lap). Ate alone and enjoyed it. Then cell phone rang, long distance call from NY, had to take it. Gobbled up rest and vowed to do better at dinner.
Dinner: Ordered sushi (by delivery) with B. Enjoyed this meal immensely! Sat and savored.
Observation: When I sit down to eat my meals I snack less throughout the day… hmmm.
Sunday
Breakfast: Temptation to eat at the computer was ridiculous. Pulled back the curtains, sat down and noticed the first pink blossom on the hibiscus tree outside my window. Oatmeal and Green tea.
Lunch: Ate with B. Turkey Panini with chips. Panini was dreadful but was grateful to have the presence of mind to realize it was dreadful and not eat the entire thing mindlessly.
Dinner: The meals are getting more rapturous and romantic (maybe because I was drinking wine). Not as tedious as this morning to sit down and focus on the ambiance and food. Spaghetti Bolognese.
Monday
Breakfast: Two pieces of toast and green tea. Today I looked forward to eating while looking at the view from my window. It was much more calming than eating in front of the computer…
Voila my notes so far. Are doing this experiment along with me? If so, I would love to hear your observations...
8.31.2009
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It seems to me that as you savor your food and take your time eating that you are becoming much more aware of the food in front of you (you didn't gulp down what was in front of you when you didn't like it, but decided to not eat it. Yay!) You also seem to be more aware of the world around you; an added bonus.
I am trying to follow your way of eating too, and I find the process of eating much more enjoyable!
This also reminds me of the email that went around last week about the violinist Joshua Bell. He went into a subway/train station with an incredibly expensive violin, played Beethoven(I believe), and barely anyone noticed him.
Sorry for going off on the tangent, but I think everything ties together and being aware of one's surroundings (whether it's breakfast or traveling) is so important. :-)
I admit that since my sons are gone my husband and I have fallen into the bad habit of eating in the living room, in front of the tv.
We do better on weekends, and just yesterday we installed a new chandelier in our dining room, so hopefully that will inspire us!
Today we missed breakfast (got up too late; ran off to work), but we did have lunch together at home. However, sadly we were both reading: DH the new Newsweek and me a book on couture. Ah, well, we'll keep trying!
Hi Rebecca,
That is so interesting. I did not hear that story about Joshua Bell but it is just so telling about how we are all so 'tuned out'- on auto pilot... myself included! I think life can be so difficult and overwhelming that we protect ourselves by living in a bubble and not really experiencing things in the moment.
I went grocery shopping in Trader Joe's today and it was so packed with people that I felt exhausted when I got home. I could only wish that I could hear Joshua Bell playing his violin on the way to the parking lot!
Phew! I just went off on a tangent too but you have inspired me! Thank you xo
Hi Cashmere... Oh I hope you post a picture of your new chandelier on your blog. I would love to have one in my dining room but the ceiling is too low...
I think it is adorable that you and your husband eat together while reading. That just speaks of a closeness that a lot of people would love to have...
I haven't been doing this experiment but I have been trying to stay more present in the moment. I will definitely attempt to have smaller serves and not rush my food!You are inspiring me! xx
Hi Josephine- Yay- me too! I am trying to remain in the present- not just with food... but with everything.
BTW- I visited your website and saw your books- so impressive! Is there anyway I can purchase them in the states? Will they be on amazon?
what a great experiment. I savour my meals at the weekend but during the week they are all in front of a screen I'm afraid- be it work, laptop or TV. Going out is the only thing that keeps me even vaguely civilised!
Thanks Rose- The experiment is almost over... I am learning a lot from it. Was very tempted to multi-task while eating lunch today but checked that impulse at the door and had a lovely lunch... toute seule xo
Ah, blogging for accountability. Good for you!
Just recently, my older son and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to San Francisco for a few days. On the agenda: being conscious about food. Between him being an experienced vegetarian but newly declared "gourmet-itarian" (if it's good, mom, if it is thoughtfully raised/prepared, I will eat it), and me happy to be in foodie-ville, we lived large (meaning, small but meaningful) on the food side. Even the snacks we kept in the hotel room were fresh fruits/veggies or good cheese from the farmer's market. It was...fabulous.
BTW, the Joshua Bell thing happened a while ago, but is consistently thought-provoking.
Scentscelf- It's so good to have you back. Your trip sounds like it was a smashing success- culinary-wise and other wise... You are lucky to have such a connoisseur of a son :)
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