Saturday, April 16, 2016

N Is for Nourish


Nourishment is not just about food. Nutrition is important, and I am trying to unlearn decades of faulty thinking regarding hunger, food, and self-acceptance, but to nourish our whole selves, we don't want to neglect our mind or our soul.

Today, I am looking to some of the experts for advice in these areas, as I am far from being one of those, and have much to learn. I felt inspired by the quotes, and I look forward to trying the exercise posted below. I hope you can find some inspiration here, too.



"True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment."
- William Penn

“Everything one reads is nourishment of some sort - good food or junk food - and one assumes it all goes in and has its way with your brain cells.”-Lorrie Moore


“How would your life be different if...You were conscious about the food you ate, the people you surround yourself with, and the media you watch, listen to, or read? Let today be the day...You pay attention to what you feed your mind, your body, and your life. Create a nourishing environment conducive to your growth and well-being today.” Steve Maraboli, The Power of One 


“I think preparing food and feeding people brings nourishment not only to our bodies but to our spirits. Feeding people is a way of loving them, in the same way that feeding ourselves is a way of honoring our own createdness and fragility.”
Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way



Finally, I would like to close with this piece I found on the Healthy Chicks blog. Rachel asks some good questions that will get me closer to my goal of intentional living.

By Rachel Kaczynski

So often, we eat what we’re told are the “right” foods to eat, do what we believe we “have” to do, and think the way we’re expected to think. I challenge you to stop right there and look beyond the expectations and rules we have for ourselves.

Truly look within and ask yourself point blank: What makes me feel nourished?

Then take things a step further by writing it out:

These are the foods that nourish my body…These are the activities that nourish my soul…These are the thoughts that nourish my mind…

What came up for you? I encourage you to take a good, hard look at your list and fill yourself up with those things that nourish you most.

Here’s a hint: when we fill our life up with nourishment, we no longer need to use food/drugs/self sabotage/fill in the blank to “feel better.” ...

My top nourishments from each category are leafy greens, yoga, and the positive affirmation “I am enough.”




What we eat, what we do, and what we think...that about covers it all. I like Rachel's list, but I want to explore my thoughts and come up with answers that work for me. What would you list as YOUR nourishments? 

I'll go grab a cup of coffee while we think about this. 

If you would like to share, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. 

2 comments:

  1. I love this topic and the word which is nourishing even as you say it. YES, yes, yes, it bears asking how we nourish ourselves. I know nature and photography nourish me as do reading and archery and laughing with friends. One thing I've learned lately is that my efforts at nourishment can we wiped out by people who aren't nourishing themselves and you have to be aware that this can happen and stick to the nourishment discipline. I have one friend who tends to be stuck, competitive, and negative and she can wipe out so much of my self-care reserves if I feel low and she catches me in a low moment. Thanks for choosing a great topic.

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    1. Nature and photography...no wonder we'really friends! You'really right about the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who add to our nourishment. Thank you, Tonia, for blogmenting.

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