Leaning into the heart of winter I really struggle to maintain my sense of well-being. I long for the smell of fertile soil and the sensation of pulling crisp sugar peas snapping off the vine. I miss the sound of the bees prepping the apple blossoms and the rain offering support to new life rather than simply wearing me down. This longing feels particularly heavy this season since we live in proximity to tragedy on a daily basis. As I aim to move beyond what proved to be one of the more traumatic years of my adult life thus far, I again find comfort in the practice of seasonal living. Seeing my time as part of cycles that build onto the next turn gives me permission to put down the contemporary idea of what it looks like to lead a successful life.
If we use the old wheel of the year as a guide for our time, on February 2nd we past Imbolc. The first of eight Sabbaths celebrated by my Celtic ancestors. It is a marker of the space between the dark onset of winter and the fertility of spring. This is when we make plans for the year we want to create be it in the garden or in our own personal life—a genuine new year
A consistent pain point in my life has been my relationship with food, and I find the wounded aspects of it especially tender at this time of year. Beyond my own intrusive thoughts on the subject, I find that people around me really want to talk about their diets and observed wins from their January efforts. In my own content consumption, I can mediate diet culture messaging, but when it is a friend, relative, or co-worker it can be hard to engage safely
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For me, my food wounds are ones of restriction and morality. Therefore conversations about food that focus on calories, or hold up certain foods on a pedestal, stimulate those wounded aspects of my relationship with food. Now everyone’s food wounds and triggers are different, but a bit of awareness here can offer some more ease in your eating life over the long haul. I know because I have lived it and I help my clients do it too.
I consider myself as having developed a healthy relationship with food, but I didn’t get there through meal prep and green smoothies. I came to this point by recognizing that my relationship with food will be with me my entire life. Then I found -or created--tools to help me tend this relationship.
Much like the practice of planning my garden, I find I create the most space for abundant or joyful meals when I put my intentions on paper. I love meal planning, but my process isn’t typical because it holds space for the messy reality of being human. It starts with self-inquiry and inspiration before selecting recipes, making a plan, and reflecting on how things went. This is a practice and not a quick fix or New Year’s resolution.
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I'm so passionate about this topic that I'm offering a three-week, Empowered Meal Planning class, through Whatcom Community College this month. In the class, we break down thought patterns that frequently interrupt our ability to stick to a meal plan and lay a foundation for you to lean on in your meal planning practice.
Over three sessions we will cover:
· Meal Planning and Perfectionist Thinking
· Food Feelings and Boundaries
· How to Get Organized
· Sustaining a Practice
Let me show you how to plan your meals in a way that works for you and your lifestyle as you are today. Meal plans that encourage you to meet health goals without squeezing lemon juice into your food wounds. The class does include a meal planning food journal, that will serve as a self-authored guidebook to support and organize your meal plans beyond this class.
Recently the uninspiring monochrome of winter has had me rotating through a series of beige comfort foods. I will admit to finding some pleasure in the hugge vibes as I write under the comfort of a blanket. When I pause for a sip of wine, I can hear both my dogs and husband snoring despite the cacophony of the storm outside. Jealous of their cozy contentment—I smile and draw up a meal plan that gives me tastes to look forward to.
I hope you'll consider joining me in my Empowered Meal Planning class or scheduling a consult to see if my 1:1 Home Cooking Tutoring program is a good fit for you. I can't wait to share what I've learned and to support you on your journey to a better relationship with food.
Much Love,