The monthly newsletter for aspiring downshifters,
and sustainable living enthusiasts.

May 2007
In this issue...

1. Food: Sustenance or Sacrifice? (Part Two).
2. The Downshifting Story of a Clutter Clearer. By Margie McCallum.
3. Your exploration this month.
4. Quotes of the month
5. Want to comment or contribute?
6. Teleclasses and personal coaching

1. Food: Sustenance or Sacrifice? (Part Two).

Last month, in the first part of this article, we looked at our attitudes to food and the way we feed ourselves. We also viewed re-thinking our eating habits as a potential catalyst for change and in particular how this can help us to make the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. In addition, we considered how nourishing ourselves in a wholesome way re-awakens our links with nature. If you missed reading part one, please do email me and I’ll be happy to forward a copy.

Nurturing

Food is not a substitute for love (although preparing a tasty, nourishing meal for someone can be a way of demonstrating your love for them.) Let me explain that a little further. Maybe you have noticed feeling “empty” sometimes. When you examine that feeling a little more closely, you will be able to tell whether the “empty” feeling comes from your heart or your stomach. If it comes from your heart, then it’s love that will fill the gap, not food. That’s the time to do something to nourish your heart, such as reading an inspiring book, watching an uplifting film, or spending time with loved ones. If you want to nurture yourself, then only eat when it’s your stomach that’s hungry.

From the nurturing perspective, food is not designed to be for reward or consolation. Some people reward themselves with “naughty but nice” food when they think they’ve been “good” and use similar food as a consolation prize when things go “wrong”. This is a distortion of the idea of nurturing oneself. When you think about it, it can actually be a form of self-harm if it becomes habitual.

So, on a more positive note, how do we cultivate healthy, sustainable ways to nurture ourselves, where food is a natural and wholesome part of our everyday lives?

Sensuality

Eating can be a wonderfully sensual experience and I guess it was designed to be otherwise we would not have survived as a species. Rather than just being a means to an end, preparing food – chopping, washing, peeling, grating, stirring, smelling, touching – can be a pleasurable, relaxing and social experience. Thus, nourishing ourselves becomes a stress-relieving activity. In order to enjoy it in this way we will need to make time for food preparation and for enjoying eating our creations. That is all part of downshifting i.e. spending fewer hours each week earning a living and more time re-discovering the joy in life of which nourishing ourselves is a very important part.

Gratitude

According to abundance theory, when we show gratitude towards nature, farmers and growers, a higher power or the universe for providing us with nutritious food then we will attract more of it into our lives. Showing our gratitude towards those who prepared the food and for our good health, which has resulted from eating the food, will also prompt us to consume our meals in a favourable emotional state. This is something which, according to Deepak Chopra in “Grow Younger, Live longer” promotes improved digestion, reduced stress and therefore better overall health.

Spiritual

Our emotional state when eating can also form part of our spiritual association with food. Think how much more satisfying it is to eat food whose origins we can be sure of and trust and that we know has been produced with kindness, not cruelty.

Food is often part of our rituals in life. I’m thinking here of everyday family mealtimes, special occasions and anniversaries. We use food as a way to demonstrate our appreciation of nature and for our loved ones. Eating then becomes a way to socialise and to connect with others.

Food as education

If you are a parent, grandparent or spend time with children in another capacity, you will probably notice how curious children are about food. Perhaps answering their questions will re-awaken your own inquisitiveness and add to your enjoyment of preparing meals.

Those who spend a lot of time cooking with their children report how much science their children learn from this one activity. By weighing, measuring, observing mixtures and chemical reactions, the effect of heat, cold, and physical processes on food substances children (and adults!) can learn a great deal of what we currently call chemistry, physics and maths.

In growing their own fruit, vegetables or herbs, children readily absorb knowledge relating to the link between food and nature and where humans fit in the food chain. They can learn about the effects of the weather, animals, pests and diseases, cultivation methods and soil type on their endeavours.

Conclusion.

We can move from the Rat Race mentality of “food is an emotional bandaid” to the simple living philosophy of “food is nourishment” by making a few simple changes in our lives. These involve:

1. Deciding that our health and wellbeing is high priority.
2. Deciding to nourish ourselves in a way that is in alignment with our values.
3. Taking time from our busy working lives in order to plan how and where we buy food.
4. Making time to prepare homemade meals.
5. Enjoying the physical sensations, the creative processes involved and social opportunities that mealtimes offer.

Suggestions for further reading:

The Science of Cooking – Peter Barham
Grow Younger Live Longer – Deepak Chopra

Want to know more?

Join this month’s teleclass:

Thursday, 31st May 8-9pm (UK time). “Sustainable Foodies” Teleclass exploring the issues around this month’s article. You will learn what to do if you don’t enjoy cooking, alternatives to a “supermarket sweep” shopping habit plus the three best kept secrets of a healthy eater! £10 per person, payable by cheque or Paypal. Sign up here.

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2.The Downshifting Story of a Clutter Clearer. By Margie McCallum.

My de-cluttering, down-shifting, simplifying story began almost by accident. I had been looking after an elderly uncle in his final weeks, my gift to a dear friend whom I knew wanted to die looking out on his own beautiful land. As weeks became months I decided to rent out my home. When I was finally ready to move back I could not bring myself to ask my tenants to leave as they had recently had a traumatic time.

After living ad hoc for a while the gift of the situation dawned on me. With their agreement I removed my most precious pieces of furniture, household effects and personal things, replacing where necessary. And my life of freedom and simplicity began.

A year or two later I set up a small bed and breakfast retreat in a remote corner of New Zealand. It was difficult being back to accumulating instead of shedding, but I loved creating a haven of peace and serenity for my guests. Had there been more of them I may still be there, but there weren’t and I’m not.

My first working visit to the UK involved live-in caring jobs, so my rucksack of mixed-season clothes and a few cherished books was all I needed. I enjoyed the limits and the subtle abundance of living with my home on my back, but everything is relative, as I found.

Through a woman I was caring for I learned about The Camino, an ancient pilgrimage route across Spain to Santiago. Come autumn I walked its many miles and varied terrains with one pair of trousers, one pair of shorts, one singlet top, one shirt…and a sleeping bag, guide book and journal. The freedom and lightness I felt as I walked The Way I can only feel, I cannot describe. When I returned to my trusty rucksack of stuff I felt overwhelmed!

I have never lost that deep sense that less is more, that joy is the companion of simply-met needs. I am continually thankful for my cosy bed-sit with its lovely old suitcases and trunk used for storage and display, all of it a delicious blend of beauty and practicality.

©Margie McCallum.

Margie has a passion for simplifying life, beginning at the level of physical stuff. Her special delight is working with people who are choosing a life of quality over quantity at all levels. She can be contacted on t. 01373 453 800 or by email.

3. Your exploration this month.

Spend just one day making a written note of everything you eat and drink and the emotions and physical feelings you were experiencing at the time.

What does this exercise tell you about your eating habits?

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4. Quotes of the month.

"I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It’s amazing how it cheers one up to shred oranges or scrub the floor.”
D.H. Lawrence

" Dining is and always was a great artistic opportunity."
Frank Lloyd Wright

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5. Want to comment or contribute?

If you would like to comment on any aspect of this newsletter or submit an article for inclusion in it, please contact me by email.

6. Teleclasses and personal coaching.

How to Step off the Treadmill

A series of six teleclasses, each 45 minutes long, exploring the elements of downshifting, the reality of living a sustainable lifestyle in a consumer driven society and how to motivate ourselves to make the switch.

A teleclass is a straightforward, low cost and sustainable way of taking part in a group learning session. It's like a conference telephone call.Each participant is supplied with a phone number to call at the appointed time. When you call, you will be welcomed to a virtual classroom where you can listen to the class leader present the teleclass material and you can participate by asking or answering questions if you wish. So it's just like being in a real classroom or workshop setting except that you can take part in the comfort of your own home without having to travel anywhere!

To view the current teleclass schedule, click here.

Personal Coaching

One-to-one coaching can help you:

• let go of your old,stressful way of life, find a new path of vitality and an improved way of living.
• deal with fears surrounding financial responsibilities, your relationships with others and other consequences of making a major life change.
• improve your health, wellbeing and spiritual life.
• further your personal growth.
• achieve balance, clarity and peace.
  
  You can view further details on personal coaching here.

7. Subscriptions and privacy policy

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I will never sell, share or otherwise divulge your contact details, including your email address, to any third party.

Subscriptions to this newsletter grow by your recommendation. If you have enjoyed reading it, please do forward it to your friends, relations and colleagues. Please feel free to use any material from this newsletter. All I ask is that you acknowledge me as the source and include my web address.

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Have a fruitful month!

Sally

Sally Lever
Sustainable Living Coach

+44 (0)1749 674842
sally@sallylever.co.uk
http://www.sallylever.co.uk/