In Savor -- Mindful Eating, Mindful Life we explore caring for our negative emotions in order that we may transform them into positive, mindful seeds of peace. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts from the book, on working with anger.

In the video below, Thay explains that to save our planet we must realize we are part of it.

In modern western culture, life is dominated by thinking. We are alienated from our physical bodies and our connection to this physical place. But there is no separation between ourselves and the environment.

Thay teaches us that compassion for oneself and everything else is critical to attain health, happiness and peace. How do we cultivate compassion? He suggests we practice mindfulness with a supportive community, or sangha.

Our global community is stuck in a cycle of unhealthy suffering. We treat our bodies like afterthoughts, and as a result, we are in the midst of a tragic obesity epidemic. It is clear that diets aren’t working, yet we continue to deprive ourselves of food, only to gain more weight. (For statistics on the inefficacy of dieting, watch the Hungry for Less video below.)

I offer you this blog as a place to begin if you are new to mindfulness, and a place to return if you are a meditator who has fallen out of practice. We all face hardships that sometimes block us from our internal light. Please use this post to touch base with yourself and begin afresh. In this moment, you have everything necessary to live fully and truly.

A delicious yet simple greek recipe by Diane Kochilas, as presented at the Culinary Institute of America's 2012 Worlds of Healthy Flavors Retreat.

Ingredients:

Eighty-three year old Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh travels the world teaching and remains vibrant, clear and energized.  An integral part of his routine is mindful eating.

The monks, nuns and Thay sit together to eat mindfully and joyfully at every meal. This is a time of communion with the earth and all its inhabitants.  As they serve themselves food, they see that the entire universe, (rain, sunshine, earth, air and love) is supporting their existence.

Food packaging and diet trends can be misleading.  Marketing materials often lead us to believe that if we eat low-fat foods, we will be low fat too. But for many people, low-fat diets just don’t work.