Sisters savor benefit of 'mindful eating' - STLtoday.com

Sisters savor benefit of 'mindful eating'

From left, sisters Elisa Ryan, Lois Castillon, and Mary Lapping hold apples during opening prayerful meditation at the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help headquarters in Kirkwood.

By Georgina Gustin

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

12/25/2009

KIRKWOOD -- Most meditation is silent. A solitary act of turning inward. But sometimes, it's communal — and comes with a little crunch.

At the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help headquarters, about 90 people kicked off the Christmas season — a time of cookie trays, fruitcake and eggnog — with a prayer of sorts.

The group of lay people and sisters gathered in a room, each holding an apple slice. They were asked to focus on the slice as they listened to an essay read aloud on "mindful eating," written by a venerated Buddhist monk. Then, they were told to take a bite. They were encouraged to savor the moment. Slowly.

And the crunching of crisp apples broke through the quiet.

Great thoughts for the Holiday binge eating frenzy. Slow down, savor, reflect.

Posted via web from michaelbaldwin