For the past few months I have been seeing a nutritional counselor. Harriet is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I appreciate her comprehensive knowledge of many nutritional approaches. She has been a reliable ally and resource as I have been learning about Nourishing Traditions. The most valuable thing that I got from nutritional counseling has been perspective. Harriet has been great about helping me see this situation as a work in progress with a natural adjustment curve. It has helped me have more compassion for myself. (Writing on this blog has helped too).
In our last session, I realized how far I have come. I don’t stress over food the same way I used to about 6 months ago when I started out on this journey. I don’t get hung up on perfect nutrition as much. Something like phytates might have put me in a defeatist frame of mind if I couldn’t add the extra soaking and toasting to my already upset routine. Now, I am in a better position to choose to do that (or not). I have my quick fixes in place: Organic cheese sticks, half an apple with peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, fermented pickles, some nuts….if I have to, I can make a lunch with these things alone. It’s *almost* as easy as a sandwich. Last night, I went out for some frozen custard as a treat. I feel OK this morning. Is it possible that I have regulated my system enough so that an occasional treat doesn’t hurt later? I think so.
The most challenging thing for me to change has been one of my latest pieces of “homework.” I was challenged to honor the act of eating by taking the time to be present and create the table ritual. I never thought of setting the table as honoring food. But when we eat while preoccupied or rushed we are not acknowledging the food as worthy of attention. How can we be nourished if we aren’t present when we eat? I didn’t realize how often I eat standing up or in the car, for instance. I don’t even have a proper table in my apartment. I get half an hour lunch break at work and have taken to eating very quickly. I have no desk, and the breakroom is tiny. I usually head to my car to recline in peace. A week or two ago, I was at a wedding and realized, even though I had as much time to eat as I wished, I still rushed through, finishing each course well ahead of my table companions. It is apparently a habit and now that I know, I can begin to change it.
About the Author...
Audrey's first love is massage. She is currently a student of energy work but is always up for a new challenge on "earth school." Audrey works part-time in the food and wine industry and is in the process of re-evaluating her relationship to food. She strives, above all, to be authentic as she finds her own way to health.
Jul 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 am
Are Integrative Nutrition graduates familiar with W. A. Price and Nourishing Traditions?
I ask, as recipes from their newsletters often have soy milk, agave syrup and other not-so-healthy ingredients in them. The recipes also tend be quite vegetarian focused.
Ben.
Jul 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Yes, Ben, Sally Fallon was actually one of the guest teachers at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). My counselor has really helped me get into Nourishing Traditions. The thing about IIN is that they make their students aware of many different nutritional apporaches. Yes, these views are often contradictory, but it is a comprehensive education. When I was begining this journey I wasn’t totally sold on Nourishing Traditions (NT) I had a lot of questions and didn’t have the time to compare different approaches. There’s so much information out there! She was a great reference and really helped me sort it all out. Plus, I didn’t really trust someone who would impose a strict food ideaology, no matter what it was. While I knew she favored NT in her own life, I was given the “space” I needed to choose it for myself. For someone like me, this was very important!
Jul 27th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Hey Audrey
just wondering have you read “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration”?
Kindest regards
Cathy
Jul 31st, 2009 at 8:21 am
No, Cathy, I am not familiar with “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.”
Jul 31st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Audrey, this book is a must read, one of the best! Its this book that inspired Sally Fallon to write NT and start WAPF. The very foundation of this magazine.
The book can be bought from the Price-Pottenger foundation, Amazon or possibly from your local wapf chapter leader. Maybe even from Nourished Mag, not sure, I have trouble opening up the “store”.
In the mean time, here’s a link to a free ebook version;
http://www.rejoiceinlife.com/books/bookNutrit.php
Aug 16th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I have the same problem with eating too quickly, a result of too many hectic and pressured days at work. If I concentrate, then I eliminate the problem. This has also helped me with portion control, as I’m not looking for seconds all the time. Its also helped me to see the same trend growing in our children, so at least 2 a week (weekdays) we all sit down to dinner and a catch up.