Mindfully Curating Your Plate: How Presentation Can Actually Help You Slow Down.

Written By Nourishandnurture .

If you're anything like me, sometimes see carefully curated Instagram posts and have a passing feeling of irritation. You think - who has the time to do that? - everything is so picture perfect, that's not real life.

What if instead of seeing it as an unattainable aesthetic, you reframed it as someone who takes the time to slow down and simply be intentional about their food and creates and experience with their food?

In a world that often glorifies speed - quick meals, fast food, pre made meals and eating on the go - there's something deeply nourishing about slowing down and truly savouring your food & enjoying it as an experience instead.

Mindfulness isn't just about yoga or meditation; it can be woven into almost every aspect of our everyday life, including how we prepare and enjoy our meals.

It can be as simple as taking a breath while cooking. Or carving out time to cook a meal from scratch with fresh ingredients. Even the act of plating your food thoughtfully can turn mealtime into a moment of presence, appreciation and care.

When we create our meals with intention, we naturally shift into a state of awareness and presence.

A thoughtfully presented meal invites us to slow down & appreciate the colours, textures, aromas and acknowledge the nourishment that fuels our bodies through our busy days.

How can you curate your plate mindfully? Start by thinking of your plate as a canvas and your food as the art.

Choose whole, vibrant foods.

'Eat the rainbow'

A beautiful plate of nourishment starts with fresh whole ingredients. It's a simple way to ensure variety and nutrient rich meals.

Think of:

  • A vibrant orange hues from a carrot

  • deep orange hues from a sweet potato

  • eye catching red or yellow capsicums

  • nourishing greens like spinaches or broccolini

  • the rich purple from a cabbage or beetroot

Pair these with high quality protein sources, healthy fats and wholesome grains you have both a nourishing and visually appealing meal.

Slow down and arrange with care.

'Your eyes eat before your mouth does.'

Rather than mindlessly piling food not a plate, give yourself a moment to arrange it with intention. We're not aiming for a Michelin start style presentation, just simple plating.

  • Put your greens on one section of the plate

  • Arrange your grains seperately

  • Lay out your coloured vegetables

  • Top with quality protein and healthy fats.

  • Maybe if you're feeling really fancy & the meal calls for it, add a drizzle of sauce to bring it together beautifully.

Use plates and bowls that create a reflection of you.

"A home is a reflection of the people who live inside it, a tangible expression of their unique style and personality"

Most homes are filled with white plates, that are the same as restaurants. And while there is nothing wrong with that, you can infuse your dishware with some of you.

If you love warmth and earthiness, try rustic ceramics in deep, grounding tones. If bright colours bring you joy, opt for vibrant plats that bring you joy. Your surroundings impact how you feel - why not infuse them with colours and textures that reflect you and nurture your soul a little?

Engage your senses

'To participate in life we must experience life through our five senses. We must see the world, hear its subtle messages, smell its flavours, taste its sweetness and touch its surface.”

 When cooking your meal and when sitting down to enjoy your meal use your 5 senses:

  • Observe the colours and textures

  • Smell the aroma of your meal

  • Feel the warmth

  • Listen to the sizzle on a hot pan or the gentle hum of conversation in your home

  • And finally, the most enjoyable part - savour every bite and enjoy your labour of love.

A simple practice that shifts mealtime from something rushed into an experience worth lingering over.

The ripple effect of slowing down.

Practicing mindfulness when preparing and eating your food is a simple way to create a ripple effect into other areas of your life. Or if you are an incredibly busy person, it simply carves out a moment for you and those you love to slow down and enjoy together or alone.

By taking the time to curate your plate, you may find that you become:

  • More present in your conversations

  • More appreciative of the joy that a smaller moment can create

  • Operate with less force and more flow.

At the end of the day, the greatest gift we can give ourselves, & those around us, in our busy world is time, presence and gratitude.

So, give yourself the gift of a beautifully curated life - not for Instagram, but for yourself. Even the smallest moment of intention can create a quiet moment of love and appreciation.

Nourishandnurture .