Meditation through cooking

Meditation, traditionally a practice of mindfulness, involves focusing the mind on a specific object, thought, or activity to cultivate attention, awareness and achieve a state of mental clarity, emotional tranquility, and stability. What if this sense of peace could extend beyond traditional meditation, seamlessly integrating into our daily routines, such as cooking??

My earliest memories take me back to my childhood, surrounded by my grandparents' thriving vegetable patch and my mum cooking something different every day. Each morning, I woke up wondering about the exciting meals the day would hold. Although my path led me to study business at 18, my heart remained intertwined with nutrition and the art of cooking. This manifested in my exploration of cooking and the discovery of healthy recipes. This connection evolved into a passion not just for food, but also for the people I share it with. Cooking became a form of meditation for me, a sacred act that I performed for my own well-being and as an expression of love and care for others. It led me to an enlightening realization: cooking is my meditation.?

My Conviction: You are what you eat?

From an early age, I was convinced that you "are what you eat." This mantra led me to experiment with healthy recipes and gradually learn about the nutrition behind every type of food. It's what pushed me to earn a nutritionist degree at Stanford. Understanding food became more than just knowledge of its nutritional value; it was about appreciating the seasons, local availability, and the larger picture of well-being.?

Being able to help and coach people drove me to obtain my coaching degree. I love sharing what I know and getting others excited about taking care of themselves, understanding the purpose in life, and living healthier and being more aware of what's out there. With food I love to share and show that eating healthily can be easy and fun with just a few simple ingredients. It's all about opening people's eyes to simple ingredients and helping them understand what can be done with them.?

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My Energy, Effort, and Persistence: Cooking as an Open Door to Creativity?

One of the advantages of traveling around the world is the cultures and cuisines that I have experienced. Food is an incredible way to connect with others. I always stay curious about the food I eat and often ask chefs in restaurants about the flavors they combine.?

For me the best part of cooking is being creative about it. The other day, a friend gave me a recipe for oysters that you must try! From that recipe, I followed my instincts, adding a bit of this and a bit of that, and just like that, a new recipe was born served as a piece of art! I get energy from that, the achievement of making something completely new from scratch. It's a deeper connection between your guts and your senses that just comes naturally to me. Because when you dare, you have nothing to lose. Just taste, trust your senses; it will boost your confidence.?

Mindfulness: Your Power from Attention to Action?

Mindful cooking is an exercise in presence. At home, I love to cook with my family and friends – my kitchen is the center of my home. For me, catch-up time also means cooking with them, or with my husband, or with my friends when they come for dinner, and I try new things. When I start to put the ingredients on the counter, it’s just the beginning of a ritual, and I am in my zone. No phone (except for pictures), no work, just being in the moment. It’s just about chopping, mixing, tasting…?

For me, cooking is as powerful as meditation because I'm released from anything else and just focused on what I'm doing at that moment. It's about being in the present as an individual and forgetting about our daily struggles. It narrows down to two things: people and food.?

Conclusion?

Mindfulness and meditation can take different forms; for me, it's through cooking – an art form that nourishes the soul, calms the mind, and brings joy to the heart. It’s a reminder that meditation can be found in the most ordinary of places, transforming everyday tasks into joyful moments. Explore, be more curious about what’s around you, be bold, and trust your instincts. As you embrace your passions, let them become your own unique form of mindfulness and meditation, just as cooking has become mine. To learn more about my insights, listen to the full conversation with Cecile Randoing, titled ‘’Cooking Practice’’ and explore her well-being program ’Self Mastery Program’.?