Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I just get up and do the dishes or let DH do the dishes while I run off to the gym. Many cultures to have a ritual ending to a meal. In the Middle East, a meal is always ended with a small sweet. (Baklava, mmmm.) Some cultures end the meal with a cup of tea or coffee. What would a trip to a Chinese restaurant be without a fortune cookie? I think little ceremonial or traditional ends to a meal are a good idea. > > Does anyone have a good meal-ending ritual? I start to get this > panicky anxiety at the end of my meals, worrying about how much to > eat, when to stop, whether I'll be able to stop, whether to have > some little sweet thing to end with. I often plan on having a cup > of tea after I'm done, just to assure myself that I won't keep > eating. But, really, I don't want the tea, so it's kind of just the > same as keeping on eating. And I think it interferes with my > ability to check out whether I've eaten the right amount. > > I notice that if I rush up from the table and go do dishes, I feel > weird, like I haven't ended the meal nicely. After all, I'm trying > to approach my meal mindfully when I sit down, so it seems > symmetrical to end it ceremoniously too. > > One thing I think I'd like to do is stop and take stock of my body > and mind at the end of the meal. What aftertaste do I have, how > does my stomach feel, what part of the meal do I remember enjoying. > I think it would be really good to make this a habit. > > Does anyone else have any good meal-ending rituals? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I have the same issue! But also, I have a problem getting dinner started gracefully and mindfully. It is like I am so wrapped up in the rush to prepare dinner for my family that I don't slow down until my first helping of everything is almost gone. And then I feel like I didn't even enjoy it and then I have seconds, and eat it slower, but it was too much so I am overfull. Plus, I have a 4 y.o. and a nearly 2 y.o. and the meal is a lot of up and down (more water, I wanted a pink spoon, or whatever) and stress for me b/c they are picky (please eat your broccoli before I get more pasta, or whatever). Anyone else with this issue or ideas to make dinner peaceful with these constraints? Should I just eat later or earlier? I do like having the sit-down for all of us. Anne czoghi wrote: Does anyone have a good meal-ending ritual? I start to get this panicky anxiety at the end of my meals, worrying about how much to eat, when to stop, whether I'll be able to stop, whether to have some little sweet thing to end with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I have the same issue! But also, I have a problem getting dinner started gracefully and mindfully. It is like I am so wrapped up in the rush to prepare dinner for my family that I don't slow down until my first helping of everything is almost gone. And then I feel like I didn't even enjoy it and then I have seconds, and eat it slower, but it was too much so I am overfull. Plus, I have a 4 y.o. and a nearly 2 y.o. and the meal is a lot of up and down (more water, I wanted a pink spoon, or whatever) and stress for me b/c they are picky (please eat your broccoli before I get more pasta, or whatever). Anyone else with this issue or ideas to make dinner peaceful with these constraints? Should I just eat later or earlier? I do like having the sit-down for all of us. Anne czoghi wrote: Does anyone have a good meal-ending ritual? I start to get this panicky anxiety at the end of my meals, worrying about how much to eat, when to stop, whether I'll be able to stop, whether to have some little sweet thing to end with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I try to take some deep breaths. Often, I do have a little " ender " , but I have found that if I take some breaths, I find the time to feel full. I agree, if I jump up and start doing the dishes I don't feel good about the meal. So, I sit and breathe first. > > Does anyone have a good meal-ending ritual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I try to take some deep breaths. Often, I do have a little " ender " , but I have found that if I take some breaths, I find the time to feel full. I agree, if I jump up and start doing the dishes I don't feel good about the meal. So, I sit and breathe first. > > Does anyone have a good meal-ending ritual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 Hi! I have not done this, but what about blowing out a candle and saying some sort of something to yourself? Whatever inspires you or ending with a prayer. Hope you don't mind me answering off list- I am moving and just messed with all of my yahoogroup accounts to anticipate not having e-mail for awhile. LJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 Hi! I have not done this, but what about blowing out a candle and saying some sort of something to yourself? Whatever inspires you or ending with a prayer. Hope you don't mind me answering off list- I am moving and just messed with all of my yahoogroup accounts to anticipate not having e-mail for awhile. LJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 Hi! I have not done this, but what about blowing out a candle and saying some sort of something to yourself? Whatever inspires you or ending with a prayer. Hope you don't mind me answering off list- I am moving and just messed with all of my yahoogroup accounts to anticipate not having e-mail for awhile. LJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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