Greetings dear friends,

As someone who retired from 25 years in the Air Force, I know the practicality of eating just to refuel. On-base chow halls and deployment "cuisine" often leave little room for the enjoyment of food. But through my journey in trauma-informed wellness coaching, I've come to appreciate the transformative power of mindful eating. What if we all approached our meals not as just another task but as a sacred, enriching ritual? An act of mindfulness. Allow me to guide you through this transformative practice.

The Essence of Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is not just about the food on your plate but how you interact with it. It invites you to be fully present in the experience, savoring each bite, feeling its texture, and delighting in its flavors. Think of it as a culinary symphony where you are both the audience and the conductor.

Benefits and How to Engage

The practice brings multiple rewards, including:

• Improved digestion

• Enhanced meal satisfaction

• Stress reduction

And here's how to get started:

1. Begin With Gratitude: A moment of thankfulness can enrich the experience. This might be a simple thank you without a specific focus, or it could be gratitude for your source of inspiration, whether that is God, the Universe, the Earth, or Humanity. It might also mean gratitude for the land in which the ingredients grew or were fed, the hands that helped bring everything to your plate, and/or gratitude for those with whom you are sharing the experience. Whatever resonates for you!

2. Slow Down & Be Present: Take time to chew and to pause between bites. Notice how you feel, and the energy of the moment. Remove other distractions... leave the phones elsewhere, and turn off the tv. Allow yourself to be fully present with the food and, if you're sharing a meal with others, the conversation.

3. Involve All Senses: Notice the colors, aroma, and texture. Make eating a multisensory experience.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Woolf

From Field Rations to Feasts: A Personal Journey

My own journey—from expedient eating in the military to the mindful enjoyment of meals—has shown me the positive impact this practice can have on overall wellbeing. This integration ensures that as you nourish your soul through personal growth, you're also nourishing your body in an intentional and ethical way.

Call to Action: Join Us on the Path to Wholeness

There’s no time like the present to begin your journey of mindful eating. If you're eager for deeper transformation, consider our NEWLY ANNOUNCED 6-week SOULignment coaching intensive (more info coming soon) or reserve a spot in our December SOULignment retreat designed for Women Who Serve (military, gold star widows/moms, caregivers, etc).

A Mindful Feast in Our Retreat

Our upcoming retreat goes beyond teaching this practice to a full-sensory experience. We’ve partnered with an incredible private chef who specializes in lovingly prepared vegetarian meals. Ingredients are locally sourced and organic whenever possible, ensuring that you’re nourishing your body and soul with the finest offerings.

This integration ensures that you're not only nourishing your soul through workshops, healing circles, and personal reflections but also nourishing your body with intentional, ethically-sourced, and utterly delectable food. In this way, the act of eating becomes an extension of the spiritual and emotional work you're undertaking. It's harmony on a plate.

Share the Healing

And for those moved to support this mission, our nonprofit, Amistar Foundation, is accepting donations to fund retreat and coaching scholarships. We've just selected our first 2 scholarship recipients for the SOULignment retreat, and are extending scholarships for the 6-week intensive as well. Together, we can widen the circle of healing to our beloved Veteran community and others who are ready to transform trauma into aligned, purpose-driven Service. Service to their own souls, their loved ones, their communities, and the world!