Fare & Flourish Food Intentions

#1 — You are worth cooking for

Nigella Lawson said, “…it might be a good thing to consider yourself worth cooking for.” Feeding yourself nourishing food is an act of self care: it is more than the food itself, it is the process of taking the time to give your body what it needs, whether that is a beautiful green salad or a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

#2 — Become acquainted with cooking

Like anything, cooking takes practice. Undoubtedly, there will be delicious meals and undesirable meals along the way, but the journey is worth it. Cooking at home means that you become connected to your food: you find your favourite cookbooks and recipes, meet your local growers and food business owners, learn how to use foods that you had never tried before, and likely end up avoiding a lot of pre-packaged and processed food as a result.

#3 — Food is more than fuel

Food is an integral component of health and well-being. The nutritional elements of food form the building blocks for the healthy functioning of the body and mind. Nutrient deficiencies can cause illness, and poor nutrition is associated with many chronic diseases. Therefore, prioritizing the consumption of nourishing, healthy food can help prevent and treat illness. In addition to fuel, food is medicine.

#4 — Prioritize eating plants

The plant kingdom provides deep green and leafy kale, ruby red beets, plump and juicy cherries, the warm and celebratory scent of cinnamon, the colourful petals of edible flowers, the comfort that is found in a cup of chamomile tea, and so many other delights. Not only do plants bring beauty to any meal, they also provide nourishment. Eating a plant-rich diet is associated with improved health outcomes for various conditions.

Also, in a world confronted with global warming and the devastating consequences, it is imperative that we prioritize reducing our environmental impact. Eating less meat and dairy is one of the single biggest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and your environmental impact. Prioritizing plants on your plate will not only benefit your health, but also the planet.

#5 — Make your plate a kaleidoscope of colour

The more colourful the plants on your plate, the greater the variety of minerals, vitamins, and other healthful compounds you are consuming. In addition, colourful plants are beautiful and delicious– there is something healing about eating a visually beautiful meal!

#6 — Use food as a means of connection

So many social and cultural events center around meals and food. Whether it is a family dinner during the holidays, cake for a birthday, or a dinner date, food has a way of bringing people together. Take enjoyment from sharing a meal with others.

We are lucky in Canada to have access to meals and ingredients from around the world. Exploring the food from another culture is a way to connect with and explore that culture.

Start going to the local farmer’s market for vegetables and meet the growers. Find a favourite local bakery to purchase your bread, or become a regular at a coffee shop. Build a food community.

#7 — Treat yourself, but see it as a treat

Food should be enjoyed. It should not elicit shame or guilt. While there are real health benefits from eating a diet rich in whole foods and low in processed foods and sugar, it is important to realize that it is OK to treat yourself. When you do treat yourself, savor the taste and enjoy every bite. See it as a treat, and celebrate it as such.

#8 — Explore outside of your food comfort zone

Have fun trying a new recipe, eating a new fruit, smelling a new spice. You have to try new things in order to change and grow. The more interesting flavours you are exposed to, the broader your palate will become, making eating all the more enjoyable!

#9 — Support local food business

By supporting local business, you can build a food community, and become more intimately connected to where your food comes from, and when that food is seasonally available. In addition, there are environmental and health benefits to eating closer to home: your food doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate, and small farms are not likely to be using large amounts of pesticides and herbicides. 

#10 — Access to safe and nutritious food is a human right

Unfortunately, for many people in the world, getting any amount of food is a daily struggle. It is important to acknowledge the privilege that is associated with exploring the more nuanced considerations of food and food systems, and give to those in need when possible.