Do you hate cooking? Are you indifferent to food? Do you associate the words, “rushing,” and, “eating,” together? Do you often find yourself stress eating? 

When you prepare and eat your meals in a state of stress, your body is unable to absorb nutrients or even digest foods properly, and it increases your chances of constipation or uncontrollable bowel movements. 

When you are feeling stressed out, your cortisol levels rise. Cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone, makes you crave sugary, salty, and fatty foods. Why? Because your brain thinks it needs fuel to fight whatever threat is causing the stress.

The brain and the gut are in constant communication. Stress can cause a decrease in blood and oxygen flow to the stomach, cramping, and imbalance in gut bacteria and inflammation. These can lead to gastro-intestinal disorders such as IBS, IBD, poetic ulcers, or GERD.

My teacher at Canadian School of Natural Nutrition taught me how to cook with love. Before her, I had never really thought about the importance of being in a good mood while cooking or eating.

What does it mean to, “Cook with love”? It means exactly what it sounds like. As you combine all of your ingredients together, you always add a cup or two of love. 

 

What to Avoid?

1. Preparing meals, cooking, and eating while mad, sad, stressed, anxious, or generally upset.
2. Fighting or discussing stressful topics at the table. 
3. Eating while on the phone, watching TV, or on the computer.

 

How to Cook with Love?

1. Establish a “Positive Vibes ONLY” rule in the kitchen and eating area for your entire household. This means no arguments, discussions, disagreements, fights, judgements, or any other negative vibes during meal preparation, cooking, or eating. This also means NO watching or listening to the news either.
2. Turn on your jams. Listen to music that you’re intuitively drawn to in the moment. Ideally something that gets your body moving freely. 

 

Why Cook with Love?

1. It will improve not only your digestion and regulate healthy bowel movements, but also everyone else in your household.
2. Because you will be cooking and eating for the rest of your life and this will increase your overall enjoyment of meal time.  Why spend the time cooking and preparing if you just gobble it down so fast that you don’t even get to enjoy it?

 

So starting at your next meal, don’t forget to add the most important ingredient, love!