Kinsho was founded to help people better connect with their food and themselves. We hope this tip helps you create enlightened eats!
? LOVE MAKES FOOD TASTES BETTER
Yes, research shows mom’s chicken soup tastes the best.
Food that we believe has been prepared with tender loving care really tastes better according to scientists.
Researchers found that our experience of a bodily sensation is impacted by our perception of the person delivering it. We read people’s intentions by their words, expressions and body language.
Assumed good intentions can increase pleasure, make food taste better, and also decrease pain. For example, researchers found that shots administered by sweet nurses were less painful than mean-looking nurses.
Think about how this impacts meals… When family are in the kitchen with you, what might they be perceiving through your words and unspoken actions or expressions?
And consider the impact of opening a lunch box where there is a clear perception that the maker took the time to carefully create a visually appealing, tasty meal. The kind note you include in your kids’ lunch boxes may have more influence than you realize!
? WHEN THE KITCHEN HEATS UP, BREATHE
Mindful cooking tip. If you find that there are too many (hangry) cooks in the kitchen and things start to heat up, remember the above – your demeanor may impact the way meals are perceived.
Calm your mind and bring your heart into your cooking. Take 2 full, conscious breaths and focus on how the air feels as you breathe. When your thoughts try to grab your attention, let them go while you keep your attention on your breath. If 2 focused breaths feel good, try 2 more!
This WILL relax you and just might soothe your dinner companions to turn complaints into compliments.
PUMPKIN BALLS
Do you love dessert? We do! But it can be hard to find easy, healthy-ish recipes. Below is a good one from our fellow Bostonian, Holistic Nutrition Coach Kristen Ciccolini from Good Witch Kitchen. These are easy, healthy and kid-friendly. And they fit quite nicely in our Kinsho Bento Boxes. 🙂
Pumpkin Ball RECIPE
Recipe from Good Witch Kitchen
Ingredients
1 cup oats
1 cup pure pumpkin
¼ cup carob powder (or cacao powder)
½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut (try substituting hemp hearts if desired)
2 tsp maple syrup
1½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
For the coating:
½ cup unsweetened coconut, pulsed in food processor until small
2 tsp carrot juice (optional)
Instructions
Pulse oats in food processor until coarse and crumbly. Add pumpkin, carob/cacao powder, coconut, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt, and pulse until combined and creamy. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Optional: While the mixture chills, if you want to dye the coconut coating you can stir in carrot juice (or get creative with another natural food coloring… beet, etc.) with the coconut, spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and dehydrate in the oven for about 30 minutes until dry again, stirring halfway.
With wet hands to avoid the dough sticking to you, roll into 1-tbsp-sized balls, then toss in the coconut coating until covered. Repeat until you’re finished, and enjoy!
See more recipes and wisdom from Kristen here!
And speaking of tasty treats… did you know that you have 9 different types of hunger? This is something to understand as we roll into autumn and then the holiday feasting season. Read more here: “How to Tell if You’re Really Hungry“
