I spent this past weekend on a yoga retreat, participating in a couples workshop with my husband. We do not have the ‘yogic’ family I envisioned once upon a time! I do the practices and we all gain from some of the benefits, such as a calmer mother/wife. My husband agreed to attend the weekend workshop as part of fair exchange for all of the hockey games and hockey parties I have attended!!!
So, while we were at the ashram I noticed that the portion sizes of many of the ashram residents were smaller than the weekenders. Interestingly the large round plates were used primarily by the weekend residents, like us, and the regulars at the ashram ate from a bowl. It was larger than a side salad bowl, but not a lot.In some circles I have heard this called a Buddha Bowl.
This Buddha bowl is designed to control portion size. Food on a plate can be deceivingly more than planned.
With the Buddha bowl there isn’t much wiggle room. General eating guidelines:
- One serving, no seconds
- Eating the largest meal (and for some the only meal) at noon
- Keeping breakfast full of grains and fruits
- Eating lightly at dinner, and lots of vegetables
The portion size is so important. If it is in front of me, chances are that I will eat it. I don’t like to waste food. Eating is meant to satisfy, not stuff. It is meant to give energy, but overeating tires me out.
The Buddha bowl is a new habit that I can bring home from the weekend with me. Hmm, along with the extra touching and communicating that I will be doing with my husband! I am snooping around the kitchen for the perfect bowl, and planning to aid world hunger one meal at a time.
Happy, simple eating.
Shanthi
Sydney
Photo Compliments of thriftyliving.net