Mindfulness is biting into an apple without trying to read a book at the same time. It is taking deep breaths when sitting in traffic or waiting in an elevator. It is paying attention to what is happening now and not stressing about the future or worrying about the past.

At least, according to “Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life,” a new book published last week co-authored by Harvard nutritionist Lilian W. Cheung that combines Buddhist philosophy with healthy eating habits.

Cheung—a nutrition lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health who studied under Buddhist Zen master and co-author Thich Nhat Hanh in 1997—suggests that a healthy lifestyle stems from healthy eating and a focus on reducing stress.