MAKE MINDFUL EATING YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

As I write this I find it so difficult to grasp that we are in 2017! How quickly the time has passed. I am sure many of you have made resolutions: more exercise, lose weight, eat better, slow down a little, make more “Me” time etc. Already some have failed, some of you will get “back on the horse” and some will give up altogether as it feels futile but your intentions were good so don’t be too hard on yourself!

There is one resolution that you should seriously consider and not give up on: mindful eating. I ask everyone, regardless of your dietary choices, to be more mindful about your food. If you are a Spud customer, I believe that part of that reason is because you are already mindful of your food and if you are not a customer, you should seriously consider becoming one.

For those of you who don’t really know what mindful eating is, it is when you consider every aspect of what you are eating; where it originates, what is in it and what is involved in processing it. For instance, do you know the difference between GMO foods and hybrid foods? Hybrid foods are foods (typically plants) modified by cross-pollinating certain breeds or strains of a plant to make it more flavourful, less seedy, larger etc. GMO food, which covers everything from plants to animals, is when a genome of another species is inserted in the DNA of the plant or animal to make it insect resistant, more productive or alter the flavour (note the latter process is always done in a laboratory).

That means, non-organic, GMO fruits and vegetables may have an anti-fungal gene from an insect or animal inserted in their DNA to make it less desirable to another insect or so they can grow in poor soil.

The taste difference between organic fruits and vegetables and non-organic is very noticeable but so is the appearance. Non-organic and GMO foods are often dyed to make them more appealing. What is that dye doing to your body? How is that fungal gene in your GMO food affecting your body or your brain? How do the preservatives used in food production affect your health? These are questions to provoke mindfulness and what I mean by mindful eating.

Fortunately, Spud takes pride in the fact that their groceries are non-GMO and if not fully organic, certainly produced on local farms that practice ethical farming. Shopping here certainly reduces your concerns and aids in being mindful. Happy Mindful New Year, folks!

Susan Hollingshead

Susan is our resident vegan. She’s been a vegetarian for 20 years, and a vegan for 4. She has researched both lifestyles extensively and is constantly exploring new recipes, add her own twist. She is a long time Spud customer, and now our very own resident vegan blogger!