Food for Thought

In a recent meeting, I was struck by a sister's reflection on food. She said the sustainable renovation of the IHM Motherhouse and the creation of prairies are outside of us--we live in them or look at them. It may be easier for us to change our homes and meadows than change the way we eat or look at food. Food is part of us. We take it into our bodies. It is complex and affects people differently.

Food affects our moods, our weight, our energy and our life-force given to the world.

As Rudolf Steiner says, "Food is more than a collection of vitamins and minerals; food is a potential carrier for forces that build up our thinking, feeling and willing."

We all have a history with food. We were raised on food and on particular meals. We have developed sensibilities--likes, dislikes, allergies, associations. We gather around food for family gatherings, funerals, weddings, intimate moments and holidays.

We create rituals and blessings around food. In the movie The Last of the Mohicans, Native American hunters give homage to the elk they just killed for their food saying, "We're sorry to kill you, brother. We do honor to your courage and speed and strength."

Many, if not all, cultures honor food.

Unlike other living beings, humans have the ability to reflect on our history and relationship with food.