The Zenful Kitchen
Recently I was asked why I call my blog and space the Zenful Kitchen. That is an easy question to answer. Zenful is probably one of those terms that most people recognize as relaxing and calming. It is that very definition that inspired me to name my kitchen that way.
One reason for doing so is the recognition that the emotions I am feeling when I cook have an affect on my food and how it comes out. When I am relaxed and calm, my food comes out amazing, regardless of what I cook. When I am stressed and distracted, something always goes wrong. A friend of mine once shared the story about his signature dish, which people normally request him make if they are coming over. One night he was frazzled and really not ready for company and his signature dish came out horribly. When asked what he had done different, he said he forgot to take time to meditate and relax. I have had my own share of incidents when I have not taken the time to calm down and relax.
The worst has been when I have tried to calm down and relax while I am cooking. This is not the best time to meditate or relax. The few times I have done so, my perfectly golden brown grilled cheese sandwiches have been a few shades too dark. I know there have been other dishes ruined, but that is my most recent memory. So reminding myself daily this is a zenful place causes me to take time before I begin to bake and cook. There are days I forget, but most times I remember to sit for a moment and relax and fill myself with love, light and positive energy.
I try to infuse our table with those energies as well. One of our house rules is tht we come to the table with positive feelings. We have both noticed that how we are feeling can not only effect how what I made tastes but how we taste it. There have been times I have eaten leftovers, which the night before tasted amazing. However, because something was bothering me, it did not taste as it did the night before.
Staying a zenful space does not just affect how food is prepared but how it is received. One of the final reasons for maintaining this loving and balanced space is that it is a reminder that the food cooked, prepared, served and received is a gift from the Ultimate, or however you refer to your Higher Power. What we have is a gift from the Ultimate. Recognizing it and all those who gave so that we might be nurtured is important. Seeing the ingredients as gifts contributes to the energy and the zenfulness of our kitchen.
Should you ever come to dine with us, we pray you will come with the love and positive energy we bring so we may all give thanks and experience the goodness and blessings of all on the table and in our zenful kitchen.
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