Slow and easy food moments as nourishment for body and soul

We walk towards the food atelier, past a tiny herb garden and a few cheerful chickens. An oasis of tranquility in a small town close to the city. We are here, with 9 friends, for a heart & mood food workshop. Claudia is a true food alchemist who has an amazing inspiring brand: Soul Recipe. She and I know each other already for many years as we both contributed to the same online platform in the past. She serves what your soul is hungry for, food to make you awake and alive. Tonight she reminds us not only that food = love and nourishment. But also a portal into the senses and so the here and now.

It’s true right? Especially within the (urban) fast paced-life, the moments we pause to eat our food when we’re alone, could be the ultimate mindful moment to check-in with yourself. How am I doing? How am I really feeling? What is my body hungry for? What is my soul hungry for? What is my body telling me in this moment? It’s the perfect small moment in the day to slow down for a bit. A moment for nourishment, mindfulness and stillness. Or the perfect time for real and authentic connection to our partner, family or friends.

Tasty rose cakes, homemade granola’s or (vegan) chocolate bars with dried flowers…

Although I love the simple and healthy lifestyle, with a vegetable garden (future goals) and such, I’m also a bit of a lazy cook. I like it easy and fast (but healthy). I’m not the queen of the kitchen type, that likes to cook for hours or host dinner parties (soooo stressful! :D ). Sometimes I wish I was, but I’m just not. So to find my healthy slow paced urban rhythm I’m going for best of both worlds: the simple life (fresh, authentic foods) and the easy life (the comfort and ease of the city services). I use a grocery delivery service that only buys fresh foods from local farmers and provides inspiring easy recipes. I don’t often make time to bake myself, but I support local young bakers with inspiring small brands that make tasty rose cakes, homemade granola’s or (vegan) chocolate bars with dried flowers.

Simplify and beautify

Why not preparing our food like a beautiful daily ritual? No matter how fast or easy you cook, you can always put beauty and some extra nourishment in there. Arrange the food beautifully on a ceramic plate that you love. Put some dried flowers on top of your dish. Simplify and beautify. Less is more, especially with more appreciation and attention. Make dishes with just a few fresh ingredients, instead of complicated recipes. Less ‘work’ for our intestines ánd our senses: win-win. When I simplify, I create more space and silence. There’s a clear focus and it’s easier for me to prioritize just the essential of what I want to put my energy into. And preparing food is a beautiful simplifying practice for me. A refreshing countermovement in our complex and busy lives.

The outside fire slowly goes out and we are not only nourished by simple, but beautiful colorful dishes, but also fully inspired to color or own lives even more based on our own unique recipe.

Location for the pictures and workshop at The Moodfood Atelier Netherlands