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When Paula Stephens struggled with grief following the death of her son, relief came from an unexpected source – essential oils. Here she suggests six essential oils that can relieve the depression and anxiety attached to grief, and that can boost your well-being and focus. Sometimes, the universe conspires in the strangest of ways. Shortly prior to my son Brandon dying, I became the proud owner of a natural and organic body and bath company. I started to learn so much about natural body products and reveled in putting the products together from scratch myself. Part of my new education was about essential oils, which I hadn't had much experience with previously. I found myself drawn to these scents after Brandon passed. Creating products became my sanctuary from the weight of my grief. Indeed, using essential oils for grief became an unexpected tool in my coping. One of my strongest memories to date of healing scents is of taking a buttermilk bath with a blend of rose, vanilla and grapefruit – heaven! The warm bath water had blended into a delicious mix of buttermilk, Epsom salts and scents. This bath released so much emotional tension from inside me I could almost feel it leave my body. Heaven scent: essential oils can help during grief Sometimes I'd go down to my basement with the essential oils and just start to smell whatever scent called to my emotional needs at the time. I began to notice trends in what I was drawn to and how it made me feel. Indeed, when it came to help healing my grief, there was definitely some mystic magic happening between me and my essential oils. Essential oils: the short and smelly version There's so much I could tell you about the healing power of essential oils and the many ways you can use them. Additionally, there’s the whole blending of them to create even more magic! But for now I will share a short version of what you need to know to start using these essential oils to help with your grief and healing. Essential oils are derived from plants, bark, leaves and other plant/trees preserving their essence, scent and healing properties. The best and easiest way to use them is to either inhale them or rub them on the skin. Only a small amount is required. “I found myself drawn to these scents after Brandon passed. Using essential oils for grief became an unexpected tool in my coping.” When we do this, essential oils combine with our bodies' natural processes to enhance our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Quality matters with essential oils, so buy the good stuff. Luckily, they are generally not very expensive. You should purchase oils that are pure and all natural with no synthetic scents added. The essential essential oils for grief I could give you dozens of options to start exploring, but for now I'm going to stick with some basic oils that should be easily available from any natural grocery store. Additionally, to keep it simple, I'll only list them individually and unblended with other essential oils. But keep in mind that there are many great blends that are packaged for a particular emotion, such as grief. 1. Essential oils for depression and anxiety These two oils are both calming essences. Bergamot Known to reduce tension and help with sleeplessness, bergamot is also an emotional powerhouse helping to release fear, anxiety, depression and support self-love. Lavender This essential oil for grief is one of the most well-known and popular essential oils and one of the few that truly has lots of scientific data backing up its calming effects. Be sure to use natural lavender, not a man-made synthetic. You can apply drops directly to pulse points and put a few drops on your pillow case before you go to bed to help if you can't sleep. Purple reign: lavender is the king of relaxing plants and oils 2. Essential oils for focus and clarity These two oils will help to clear your mind and focus. Peppermint Known for its uplifting properties, peppermint also clears the mind and increases focus. It's ideal for when you can’t let your grief stop you completing an important task. Rosemary This is a popular essential oil right now and for good reason. Rosemary increases both mental function and clarity. Some studies have shown that when it's combined with lavender it can reduce cortisol – the stress hormone. The 8 types of grief explained Holiday grief: 10 tips for coping What is disenfranchised grief? 3. Essential oils to lift spirits These essential oils will help to boost your well-being and manifest joy. Mostly any citrus Grapefruit is my favourite, but you can also use lime, sweet orange or lemon! Citrus is emotionally uplifting and produces positive outward energy. Rosewood Rosewood is known for its anti-depressive qualities and it's also used to reduce headaches and lift mood. On a side note, rosewood trees have been over harvested, so please use with a conscious spirit. Using essential oils for grief In the future I will most likely do a second post listing additional essential oils for grief. The fun part of using essential oils for grief is that you can play around with the oils to find out which work best with your own emotions and body. Enjoy trying these out and let us know in the comments below what works well for you! ● If you're struggling with grief, head over to our forum on grief to chat directly with other members of the community for support. Written by Paula Stephens Paula Stephens, M.A. is the founder of Crazy Good Grief, an organization that teaches positive growth and resilience after the loss of a loved one. Her work is inspired by the personal loss of her oldest son who passed away unexpectedly while home on leave from the Army. Paula is a speaker, yogi and life coach. She's also the author of From Grief to Growth: 5 Essential Elements to Give your Grief Purpose and Grow from Your Experience. Paula is a practicing Buddhist and recently became the first Buddhist Chaplain to work at the county jail where she lives. She's the mother of four boys and lives in Littleton, Colorado.

We can shift our mindset toward more optimism and happiness. By Catherine A. Sanderson on behalf of Greater Good Science Center. When I was in my early twenties, my boyfriend, Bart, and I were driving on a freeway near downtown Atlanta when we got a flat tyre. I immediately panicked – this was long before everyone had cell phones. I worried we would be stranded for hours, that I’d have to either walk alone and get help or stay alone with the car, that our whole day would be ruined by this car trouble. As Bart pulled to the side of the road, I shared my numerous concerns. He looked questioningly at me and said, “I’m just going to change the tire – it will take a couple of minutes.” He changed the tyre, and we were soon on our way. This story illustrates an important principle: some people find it easier to adopt a positive attitude than others, which influences how they respond to life’s setbacks. While I saw the flat tyre as a major problem, my boyfriend saw it as a minor inconvenience. His more positive mindset kept him calm and allowed him to take appropriate action. My more pessimistic outlook simply led me to suffer and feel helpless. This difference in how we perceive and respond to events and challenges in our lives matters for our happiness and health. When we have more optimistic mindsets, we are better able to buffer the effects of common daily life stressors and still feel happy. And, as one study found, optimism is healthy for us: people aged 40 to 90 tended to live longer if they were more optimistic – even taking into account other factors, like their diet, smoking and alcohol use, depression, and health conditions. Change it up: shift your mindset from negative to positive But here’s the good news for those of us who have trouble finding the silver lining: our mindsets can change. We can shift our attitude in a more optimistic direction, no matter our natural inclination, with time, energy, and effort. Here are five research-based strategies for doing that. 1. Reframe stressors Stress is unavoidable. We all experience daily hassles – like long lines, irritating coworkers, and endless to-do lists. While we can’t eliminate all stress, we can choose how we think about the challenges we face and adopt a new, more positive mindset around them. RELATED: Building resilience – 5 tips for thriving Of course, some optimistic people seem to do this naturally (lucky them!) They go through life easily seeing the positive in irritations and bad events, which helps protect their mood. If positive reframing doesn’t come naturally to you, start by trying to focus on what’s good about your daily life stressors instead of what’s bad about them. For example, if you’re stuck in a traffic jam, take time to look out the window at nature and focus on its beauty. Here are some examples of how you might transform a setback into something positive: Stuck in an airport? Consider it unexpected free time to call a friend or read a good book. Passed over for a promotion? This could mean it’s the perfect time to polish your resume or explore other – perhaps even more fulfilling – career options. No plans on New Year’s Eve? Fully embrace cozying up in front of the TV and watching the festivities in comfort, or maybe appreciate getting an early start on that New Year’s resolution to clean out your overflowing closet. We can’t control what life throws at us, but we can all practice reframing difficult events as challenges to be mitigated, rather than calamities. 2. Practice self-compassion Some people have a tendency to beat themselves up when things don’t go their way – which, not surprisingly, doesn’t make them feel better. To shift our mindset in a more positive direction, we can simply give ourselves a break and treat ourselves with kindness, the same way we’d treat a close friend who’s having a hard time. People who practice self-compassion are less likely to blame themselves when bad things happen, which works in their favor: They are less anxious and depressed and overall feel happier and more optimistic about the future. “When we have more optimistic mindsets, we're better able to buffer the effects of common daily life stressors and still feel happy.” For example, first-year college students who have more self-compassion during this difficult life transition are more engaged and motivated in college life – perhaps because they feel better able to handle the challenges college presents and more connected to other people in their lives. So, when bad things happen, cut yourself some slack. Forgive yourself, be kind to yourself, and treat yourself with care and compassion. RELATED: Self-compassion – a visual guide 3. Let it go
 Besides blaming themselves for setbacks, people can also fall into the trap of ruminating on bad events long after they’re over. Rather than accepting what’s happened and moving on, they get stuck in their negative feelings – then, to make matters worse, they beat themselves up for feeling bad! People who criticize themselves for having negative thoughts and feelings have higher levels of depression and anxiety, and lower levels of psychological well-being and life satisfaction. That’s because when you blame yourself for your feelings, it creates a vicious cycle, where ruminating leads to bad feelings which lead to more ruminating. If you find yourself ruminating about a fight with a friend, a difficult situation at work, or the current state of American politics, try a new approach: identify and stop resisting these negative thoughts and feelings. For example, you might think, “I’m feeling lonely,” or “My job isn’t going well,” or “I’m frustrated right now by our government.” Naming and accepting your negative emotions and thoughts will help keep you from holding onto them so tightly and will clear the way for a more positive attitude and response. 4. Avoid comparisons and practice gratitude instead There’s a great poem by Kurt Vonnegut about his conversation with author Joseph Heller during a party hosted by a billionaire. When Vonnegut asks Heller how he feels knowing that this billionaire makes more money in a single day than Heller will ever earn from sales of his novel Catch-22, Heller responds that he has something that the billionaire will never have: the knowledge that he’s got enough. This poem vividly illustrates what research corroborates: happy people don’t need to engage in social comparisons. Instead, they practice gratitude for what they have – a good way to increase optimism and well-being. While people vary considerably in how much they engage in social comparison, those of us with a more negative mindset find it hard to avoid, particularly on social media. Most people post only the good parts of their lives – successful kids, fabulous vacations, impressive careers – which can lead us to believe that our own lives don’t measure up. Praise be: practice gratitude and stop comparisons michaelheim/shutterstock This may be why college students believe that they experience more negative events (e.g., bad grades) and fewer positive events (e.g., fun parties) than their peers, which makes them lonely and dissatisfied with life. In contrast, college students encouraged to practice gratitude by counting their blessings tend to be happier than their peers. RELATED: 11 science-backed truths about finding happiness If you find yourself in a comparison trap, try quitting your social media habit, or at least shifting how you think about the overly positive portrayals you find there. Instead of feeling sad about how your life doesn’t measure up, focus on the very real things that are good in your life – e.g., my kid’s not going to be valedictorian, but he’s got a great group of friends; my family’s not spending two weeks in Tahiti, but we really enjoy our summer on the Jersey Shore. 5. Find some (any) humour In virtually any situation, it's possible to find some humor, and making an effort to do so can help you adopt a more positive mindset later on. I remember when my high school freshman son Andrew received a failing grade – a 58 – in his first trimester of Spanish. Although it worried me, he was able to find the humor in it, insisting that it wasn’t an F; it was an F+! And Andrew’s optimistic interpretation actually paid off: at his high school graduation, he received the award for 'most improved,' and, ironically, he’s now a college junior majoring in Spanish! “We can’t control what life throws at us, but we can all practice reframing difficult events as challenges to be mitigated, rather than calamities.” Finding humor helps people cope with the small irritations of daily life, but it's particularly important in coping with serious life circumstances. For example, people with fibromyalgia (a debilitating and chronic condition marked by widespread bodily pain) who relied on smiling and laughter to deal with small daily life stressors – such as a waiter spilling water on you – reported lower levels of psychological distress and fewer physical symptoms. This ability to take things in stride reduces stress and its negative effects on physical and psychological well-being. RELATED: When Life Gives You Lemons, Try Lemonading! So, the next time you are in a dark or trying situation, try humor. Remind yourself that this situation will probably make for a good story later, and try to crack a joke about it. Say you’re laid off; imagine the most absurd way you could spend your last day, or the most ridiculous job you could pursue next – like kangaroo handler or bubblegum sculptor. Allowing yourself to experience humor can take the edge off. I’ve used these strategies in my own life, and even though my natural inclination is clearly not to see the silver lining, I find it easier all the time to shift my thinking in ways that do make me happier. Adopting this type of optimistic worldview has taken me time, energy, and effort, but it has really paid off. This shift has helped me feel happier. If this type of positive mindset doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t despair. Try to find someone who can help you cultivate this skill by being a role model. Remember that boyfriend of mine who miraculously changed the tire? He’s now my husband. ● This essay is adapted from The Positive Shift: Mastering Mindset to Improve Happiness, Health, and Longevity (BenBella Books, 2019, 224 pages). Main image: shutterstock/Mavo This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. happiness.com is grateful to republish it with the kind permission of the Greater Good Science Center. greatergood.berkeley.edu

What is gratitude meditation and how do you practise it? Sonia Vadlamani answers these questions plus explains five great benefits it brings. Plus, discover three great gratitude meditation YouTube videos to get you started. Do you want to reap more from your life – whether in the form of happiness, enriched relationships, enhanced sense of well-being or increased efficiency? Do you wish to amplify your existence and make life more meaningful, instead of feeling like you barely exist amidst the chaos of daily life? Gratitude meditation can help you achieve these things, and it's also one of the simplest meditation types you can practise. What is gratitude? Derived from the Latin word gratus, gratitude is the ability to feel thankful and show appreciation for all things good in your life. Have you ever observed how you feel a spur-of-the-moment gratefulness when someone does something kind for you, or surprised you with a lovely gesture or gift? The emotion you felt was that of gratitude, and studies show that practising thankfulness every day can help change your life for the better. In fact, scientific studies have found that gratitude can be the ‘social glue’ that promotes positive outlook, strengthens relationships, and help us to become better, happier human beings. What is gratitude meditation exactly? Gratitude meditation, as indicated by the name, is a kind of meditation centered on feeling grateful. While there are many other styles of meditations out there, gratitude meditation is one of the easiest you can practice anywhere, even in the midst of a hectic work schedule. What's more, it's also one of the most rewarding styles of meditation. JOIN US! Discover more about meditation at happiness.com. Belong to a community that cares Gratitude meditation focuses on bearing in mind various things you're thankful for in life and letting that feeling of appreciation take a stronghold inside yourself. For example, it could be appreciating family members who are always there for you, friends who always cheer you up, or colleagues who share the workload with you so you don’t have to do overtime. Great to be grateful: gratitude meditation has many benefits Additionally, you don't always have to meditate on a noticeable act – gratitude meditation also enables you to take pleasure in the simple things in life you're grateful for like the ability to see, hear, taste and walk, or something as intangible as the important lesson you learnt from a difficult phase you were going through at some point in your life. The origins of gratitude meditation Research suggests that the foundations of gratitude were inspired from religion. Mindfulness and meditation expert Jack Kornfield is quoted as saying: “Buddhist monks begin their day with chants of gratitude for their blessed lives. Meanwhile, Martin Luther described gratitude as the “basic Christian attitude”. Indeed, millions of Christians celebrate Thanksgiving every year to count their blessings and express their appreciation for all they have. “Gratitude meditation also enables you to take pleasure in the simple things in life, like the ability to see, hear, taste and walk.” Meanwhile, Hinduism advocates that “one with an attitude of gratitude is closest to achieving Moksh, or freedom from karmic life-cycles,”, states Uma Mysorekar, M.D. Do you have to be religious to practice gratitude? Of course not. Experts agree that gratitude is not limited to religious pursuits – you can be thankful for the gifts of life without being religious. Benefits of gratitude meditation There are many advantages to incorporating a gratitude meditation practice into your life. Here are five of the most important: 1. Greater sense of happiness Studies have shown that practising gratitude can consistently and effectively make you happier. Counting your blessings can make you feel more optimistic and help you develop and maintain a positive attitude throughout the day. Indeed, a study revealed that gratitude could be the most-needed positive intervention that can prevent depressive thoughts and help individuals lead a happier, content life. 2. Improved mental health Could you ever have guessed that gratitude meditation can also rewire your brain to be better equipped to deal with adversity or difficult phases of life? Practising gratitude meditation sensitizes the brain towards helpful acts and appreciable things in life, thus enabling us to break free from the endless loop of worries, rumination, fears and insecurities. 3. Stronger personal relationships Practising gratitude meditation has even been show to protect marriage and strengthen friendships. Expressing your thanks for friends, colleagues and spouse can make them feel appreciated and valued, reinforcing your bond with them and preventing miscommunication or conflict. 4. Better physical health Feeling grateful for good things in your life can make a difference in your outlook towards life, enabling you to feel better, live to the fullest and even sleep better. Indeed, grateful people are more likely to experience heightened state of mind, eat healthily, exercise more often and live longer. 5. Increased social circle Ever noticed how some people make friends effortlessly and instantly? Grateful individuals can trust more easily, express their appreciation in more straightforward fashion, and make friends with strangers with better ease. A 2014 study from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia was the first to show that for thanking a new acquaintance for their help meant they were more likely to seek an ongoing social relationship with you. “Saying thank you provides a valuable signal that you're someone with whom a high quality relationship could be formed,” said UNSW psychologist Dr Lisa Williams, who co-conducted the research. Gratitude meditation: how to do it Great news: kickstarting a gratitude meditation routine is simple! All you need is a quiet corner and minimal time (10-20 minutes on average, depending on the technique you choose). “Gratitude meditation is one of the easiest you can practice anywhere, even in the midst of a hectic work schedule.” You could even start small, and simply be thankful for the basic amenities and privileges you have in life. Several experts (and even celebrities like Oprah) suggest that maintaining a gratitude journal to jot down all the things, actions, people etc you’re grateful for, can transform your outlook towards life tremendously. Here are three YouTube videos to inspire you to get your gratitude meditation routine up and running: The Mindful Movement: 10-Minute Morning Meditation for Gratitude This meditation can form a part of your morning ritual, preparing you to start the day on a more positive note. Ever feel trampled under the weight of senseless material pursuits, or dissatisfied by what you have achieved so far? Practising gratitude daily using this technique will open your eyes to the fact that what you have is enough, and that you are perfect. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Mary Kate: Gratitude Meditation To Shift Your Reality Using the powerful tool of Law of Attraction, this gratitude meditation technique shows you how to attract miracles in your life. Appreciating the smallest gestures and acts of kindness and being thankful for everything you have will help you manifest happiness and abundance every single day. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Dan Lok: 15-Minute Guided Gratitude Meditation for Abundance & Miracles Renowned business magnate and educator Dan Lok shows how to energize your day and attract abundance by being grateful for everything you have using a simple yet effective visualization technique. You begin by relaxing and asking yourself what and who all you're grateful for, and if there are things you're taking for granted. This meditation is very easy, and helps you develop more compassion, empathy and appreciation for everything good. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Round-up: gratitude meditation In conclusion, the benefits of gratitude meditation are many. Gratitude is not only a humble acknowledgment of how blessed our life is, but also a doorway for attracting abundance, happiness and prosperity our way. What's more, incorporating gratitude into our daily lives is very easy and hardly requires any additional effort. Are you getting started today? ● Main image: shutterstock/ WAYHOME Studio happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member yet? Sign up for free now to: ■ enjoy our happiness magazine with practical life tips ■ share and support others in our happiness forum Mental health | Compassion | Empathy | Vedic meditation mantras Written by Sonia Vadlamani Fitness and healthy food blogger, food photographer and stylist, travel-addict. Sonia loves to write and has resolved to dedicate her life to revealing how easy and important it is to be happier, stronger and fitter each day. Follow her daily pursuits at FitFoodieDiary or on Instagram.

Fühlen. Riechen. Berühren. Schmecken: Achtsam essen braucht Zeit und Muse - beides vom Aussterben bedrohte Tugenden unserer Zeit. Die Anthroposophin Felicitas 'DUKKAH Handwerk' hat ihre eigene Meinung über Achtsamkeit beim Zubereiten und Genuss des Essens. Hier erzählt sie, wie weit wir davon entfernt sind, achtsam zu essen und gibt uns ein Rezept an die Hand, das uns Magen und Herz im Herbst erwärmt und uns zum Innehalten und Genießen einlädt. Was bedeutet achtsame Ernährung? Wie finden wir zurück zu einem achtsamen Essensritual? Wir suchen Antworten für ein langes und gesundes Leben auf Kontinenten, die so weit weg sind, dass sie nicht annähernd auf unser Leben in diesem Land übertragbar sind. Die Einen sagen dann “mediterrane Ernährung ist der Schlüssel”. Die Anderen sagen “Buddhismus praktizieren und vegan leben”. Wie wir es drehen und wenden: Nicht jede Lebensweise und Ernährung lässt sich auf uns so einfach übertragen. Schauen wir uns also einmal an, wie wir wiederentdecken können, achtsam zu essen und uns mit Achtsamkeit ernähren. Achtsam essen, nicht nur das Loch im Bauch nicht stopfen In der Regel wird wenig bis fast kein Wert auf Zubereitung, in Ruhe miteinander Speisen zelebrieren und in der Familie beisammensein. Die Verpflegung findet größtenteils in Kantinen, Büros, Kaffees, Bistros oder auf der Hand im Gehen statt. Wir stopfen eigentlich doch nur noch das “Loch” im Bauch, um möglichst gleich wieder weiter zu funktionieren. Wir können Erdbeeren im Winter und Mangos rund ums Jahr bekommen, essen Fertigprodukte und Tiere, die viel Leid beinhalten, trinken Energy-Drinks, die aus Chemie bestehen. Wir wollen Alles! Jetzt! Sofort! Weil wir gerade Lust darauf haben. Oder weil wir es uns gönnen können. Was zum achtsamen Essen fehlt, ist die Verbundenheit. Der Weitblick. Die Reflektion über das eigene Verhalten. Und meine Erkenntnis darüber, dass JEDE Konsumtat, eine Politische ist. Ich denke, das IMMER jemand den Preis bezahlt. Wenn ich den nicht bezahlen will, dann wird die Firma XY es günstiger machen. Sie wird jemanden anderen bezahlen lassen bzw. einsparen lassen, was wir nicht bereit sind zu zahlen. Entweder die Landwirte, die dann ihre Kinder arbeiten lassen auf Zuckerrohrplantagen für billige Limo oder es zahlen die Tiere dafür. "Was zum achtsamen Essen fehlt, ist die Verbundenheit. Der Weitblick." Wenn wir nicht hinsehen, was wir tun, entsteht ein Kreislauf mit viel Leid. Das ist auf Dauer nicht nur für die Umwelt ungesund, sondern auch und vor allem für uns selbst. Um uns mit unserem Essen wieder verbunden zu fühlen, dürften wir die Mahlzeiten nicht mehr nebenbei im Multitasking-Autopilot-Modus einnehmen. Wir müssen entschleunigen, um achtsam zu essen, uns jedes Schrittes und aller Beteiligten bei der Entstehung dieses Essens bewusst werden. Das Geheimnis der bis ins Alter glücklichen Menschen Ich wuchs mit dem Satz “Du bist was Du isst”, auf. Er begegnete mir immer wieder. Im Abitur war er sogar Thema im Fach Kunst. Später schrieb ich über die antroposophische Ernährungslehre meine Bachelorthesis. Auch hier begleitete mich dieser Satz. Ich fragte mich, wie viel unsere Ernährung mit der Gesundheit im Alter zu tun hat. Was also machen die Menschen anders, die scheinbar glücklich, gesund bis ins höchste Alter sind? Nun, meine Beobachtung sagt, sie leben “abgeschirmt” von Rest der Welt. Sie konsumieren keine angeblichen Superfoods, die einmal um den Globus geflogen sind. Sie konsumieren eigentlich kaum. Denn sie leben meist sehr minimalistisch und von dem, was es vor Ort gibt. Meist selbst gesammelt oder gepflanzt und unbehabdelt und frei von Pestiziden. Auch ihre Tierhaltung ist in der Regel keine Massentierhaltung. Sondern die eine Kuh, die täglich die Sonne sieht und viel vom kostbaren VitD3 und B12 entwickeln konnte. Eine sorgsame Auswahl der Lebensmittel gehört zum achtsamen Essen © Foto Felicitas Für uns bedeutet das, hinzusehen, ob die Grundbedingungen für ein achtsames Essen gegeben sind: Was führe ich mir zu? Ist Leid mit dem verbunden, was ich konsumiere? Behalte ich das große Ganze im Blick? Verursache ich Leid und bezahle dafür? Je nachdem, welche Antworten dir in den Sinn kommen: Wenn Leid und Elend mit Essen verbunden sind, denke ich, dass wir diese Abwärtsspirale dringend und schnell durchbrechen müssen. Was du also tun kannst, um dich un deinen Körper mit Achtsamkeit bei den Mahlzeiten zu beschenken: 1. Spüre hin und schau was die Erde uns schenkt. Es gibt so viel Superfood in deiner Nähe. Sieh hin. Kostenlos. Es verbindet dich mit der Erde, dem Leben an sich, die Geschenke unserer Mutter Erde zu entdecken. Wolf Dieter Storl sagt das in etwa so: “Die Erde möchte ausgleichen, sie schenkt uns immer genau das, was uns gerade fehlt.” Und es ist genau so. Wir haben nur vergessen, was hier eigentlich alles wächst. Tomaten sind es ursprünglich jedenfalls nicht. Sie kommen aus Regionen, die viel wärmer sind als unsere. Dieses Gemüse beispielsweise wirkt kühlend auf unseren Organismus und wir leben hier in einem viel kühleren Land. Auch Olivenöl und Auberginen sind kühlend wirkend auf uns. Unser Körper braucht also einen höheren Ennergieaufwand um diese Kühlung auszugleichen und das bedeutet zusätzlich Stress für unseren Organsmus. "Die Erde möchte ausgleichen, sie schenkt uns immer genau das, was uns gerade fehlt" Wolf Dieter Storl 2. Schau, was hier wächst und angebaut wurde. Es sind Nussöle, Nüsse, Sonnenblumenkerne und Öl, Leinsamen und Leinöl... Dinkel und Grünkern, Bucheckern, Maronen und Walnüsse. Wir haben wärmende Lebensmittel hier vor Ort. Nicht ohne Grund. Wir haben andere Temperaturen, andere Böden und viel weniger Wildniss. In unseren Wäldern wuchsen Beeren und viele Pilze. Wir haben sie nur vergessen und teilweise aussterben lassen. Nehmen wir als Beispiel den Breitblattwegerich. Er wächst hier vor Ort und ist ein vergessen Schatz. Ein hervorragendes Kraut, dass gerne als Unkraut abgetan wird. Lässt man ihn blühen, kann man im Spätsommer die Samen ernten und trocknen. Diese schmecken leicht nussig und können genau wie Chiasamen verwendet werden. Kostenlos. Sie sind mineralhaltig und genau auf uns abgestimmt, dank Mutter Erde. Die Blätter können zu Pesto oder in der Pfanne mit Knoblauch und Salz angeschwenkt werden, wie Spinat. 3. Spüre in der Zeit zurück Es gibt unzähliges wieder zu entdecken! Mach dich auf die Reise. Schau wie nah das Glück ist. Fühle die Verbundenheit. Sie ist da. Immer. Lass es zu. Nimm dir Zeit um dir Gutes zu noch Besserem zuzubereiten. Und wenn es draußen so richtig kalt und ungemütlich ist, lädt dich diese Kürbissuppe ein, sie und mit Genuss zuzubereit und achtsam zu essen: Als besondere Zugabe mit Brennesselsamen garnieren. Blüten und Kräuter können selber gesammelt werden oder man bekommt sie im Bioladen/Reformhaus. Die Kürbissuppe duftet herrlich und enthält die ganze Sommerkraft, die es an kalten grauen Tagen braucht. Lass es dir schmecken! Eine ruhige Umgebung für ein achtsames Essen Doch bevor du dich zu Tisch setzt, denk daran: Genauso wichtig wie die Zubereitung mit Ruhe und Muse, ist das Zu-Sich-nehmen der Mahlzeit in einer ruhigen Umgebung. Schau, wie du dieses feine Süppchen achtsam essen kannst. Ist eine Kerze angezündet? Sitzen liebe Menschen mit am Tisch? Ist es ruhig und gemütlich? Welche Farben umgeben dich? Leg frisch gesammelte Blätter auf den Tisch, einen Kürbis kannst du dazu legen, daneben eine Kerze anzünden. Egal ob es taghell ist. Reich deinem Gegenüber die Hand und wünsche ihm/ihr eine gesegnete Mahlzeit, sagt kurz Danke zu Mutter Erde, für ihre Gaben. Und lass dich wärmen von ihrer Kraft! ● Titelbild: Felicitas Geschrieben von Felicitas Felicitas ist Puppenmacherin, Handarbeitslehrerin für die Waldorfschule, Köchin und (alleinerziehende) Mama. Auf Instagram inspiriert sie mit ihren Rezepten, Hacks und Tricks für den Alltag und zeigt Konsum-Alternativen als #resteverwertungsfluencer.