12 Days of Resolutions. 12 resolutions that will help steer you towards a healthier lifestyle, whether you've got weight you'd like to lose or not. 12 resolutions that are each in and of themselves extremely straight forward and doable. Some might involve doing, others simply thinking, and if any of them don't seem useful to you, skip on to the next.Day 4: Reclaim Your Table
I know you have one. You might even have two. A dining room version and a kitchen version.
But do you use them?
Most of us (sadly me included many nights), pile up our plates and head to the living room. It's a practice we all ought to stop, and assuming my wife's in agreement, this one's a resolution for us as well. We're going to rediscover our table, maybe not every night, but certainly some and maybe many.
If you live alone, eating at the table will allow you to pay attention to your food and actually enjoy your bites rather than just mindless chewing (and if the bites aren't as enjoyable as you'd like, that might be a cue for you to try some new dishes). Turn on some of your favourite music, reflect on your day, and savour your meal. If you're trying to lose or maintain your weight, eating mindfully might allow you to get away with smaller portions than those you'd have plated for your televised meal.
If you live with adult loved ones or roommates, eating at the table will allow you to share your days, and spend a few moments of quality time in a world that has too few.
If you live with children, eating at the table will first and foremost teach them that families eat at tables, but has also been shown to be correlated with a healthier diet for the children, lesser body weights, and decreased adolescent acting out type behaviours.
Don't let your kitchen table just be a place to pile stuff up.
This year resolve to reclaim your table and stake your dietary flag in as often as you possibly can.
(P.S. - That's not my table)
- Resolution series to continue on Monday!
Posts
Do you really think most people don't eat supper at the table? If so, I'm shocked.
ReplyDeleteI eat supper at the kitchen table (we have no dining room) with my husband every night. I always assumed most people did likewise, if they were eating at home. Now I knew some might be eating chicken nuggets or Hamburger Helper, but I thought they ate at the table.
When my niece came to visit last summer she made her plate and headed for the family room. My kids both looked at her and asked "Where are you going?".
ReplyDeleteShe was shocked that we all sit at the table together, which she obviously doesn't do at home.
It's one of our family values in my home, but sadly so many people don't share that value.
At my parents' house, I always eat breakfast and supper at the table - I can't even comprehend doing anything different. Lunch is sometimes on the couch because it was usually just a sandwich or something handheld.
ReplyDeleteBut living on my own is totally different. I have a nice table, I've really honestly tried, but it's downright depressing to eat in the quiet. So, I eat at my computer desk. Always. Except when someone else is here - then it's the table for sure.
So my solution has been to make sure I have someone in for dinner at least once a week, then my table gets weekly attention at least.
My husband has taken over our only desk - I wish I had my own - your post may of just inspired me to get one!
ReplyDelete