BASK IN THE TASTE OF SUMMER
Hello there and happy Tuesday! I hope this week finds you reading this newsletter from the comfort of a lounge chair or beach blanket. I'm drinking Bukhial Assam this morning and thinking about the joy of Summer foods!
Last week I invited you to celebrate and bask in your body. And this week is a very important extension of that. Because this week (drumroll please!) I want you to bask in the joy of food!
If you have now or have previously had a challenging relationship with food, you are not alone. It's almost impossible to live in this day and age without getting caught under the thumb of diet culture. Even more so when you live in a big body. In a big body, eating almost anything is seen as a failure or a lack of willpower or care for yourself. When I was young, I trained myself to very rarely eat in public and if I did, I would try to eat less than my smaller friends. I would also skip dessert and then buy candy bars on the way home. It all felt so shameful. And even after all these years and all my hard work, I'm still learning how to eat out in the world. My partner and I sometimes like to get a slice of pizza and sit at a lovely viewpoint, and I can get a little squirmy assuming that people are thinking "of course she's sitting down and eating pizza rather than sprinting up this trail like she should be."
The reality is that while some people may have those kinds of thoughts, most people really don't care what I'm getting up to. And even if they did, that's none of my business. I love having a little snack while hanging out with my guy and looking at a beautiful view. So I keep doing it!
And even more importantly, the act of doing it anyway has made those squirmy moments few and far between. Because for the most part, I have healed my relationship with food. I think food is magic. And reconnecting with it has been one of the great joys on my journey towards body acceptance. No longer hiding or counting every little thing I put into my mouth has been incredibly freeing. It's also allowed me to reconnect with the food I love.
In the Summer, basking in food includes fresh berries, soft serve ice cream, pie from a little market on the side of the road when we take a road trip up North, and corn on the freaking cob!! I also love fresh Summer produce (heirloom tomatoes, anyone?) and a late night burger after doing a comedy show. This Summer, I have been chasing the Disco Biscuits donut bike around the sea wall when I want a sweet treat. And by chasing, I mean I find out where they are and send my partner on his bike. :)
What about you? Do you love a picnic in the park, a barbeque with your friends or sitting on the outdoor patio of your favourite restaurant? No matter what it is, I invite you to really savour the joy, pleasure and connection that can come from a delicious meal or snack. You are allowed to enjoy your food. You are allowed to feel pleasure and freedom when you eat. There's no shame in loving your food! So take a moment to think about your favourite Summer foods and then plan to have at least one of them this week.
Will you gather your people and make it a group hang, or do you imagine yourself berry picking and eating fresh berries before making jam or pie afterwards? Are you excited to take a picnic to the park or put on something cute and go for high tea? Or maybe you love heading to the farmers market, grabbing a cup of coffee and finding your favourite produce so that you can cook yourself a delicious meal.
There's no wrong way to do it. Find what lights you up and follow that. I'm here if you need moral support and I'm sending you tons of love if this is hard for you. It was hard for me too at first. Baby steps. You got this!
As always, I'd love to hear about it! How are you basking in the joy of food this Summer? What are your favourite recipes, restaurants and Summer produce? What foods light you up? Let me know in the comments below!
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
