With so many recipes available to us on the Internet, sometimes I forget that it is not the recipe that is important to meal-time, but the love that goes into preparing that meal.

My family can tell when I “throw something together!” Not by the taste of the recipe, but by the way I present it to them. The presentation is a direct result of how much love, or how much of myself, I put into the food. When I carefully measure, blend and stir, somehow the energy of the food is different and better than when I am not so careful.

How do you stir the pot?

How do you prepare the food for yourself and your family? Many times, I feel the heat at meal time to throw something together quickly and with the least possible trouble. However, with just a bit more concentration, I could infuse love and goodness into my family’s food.

It is important to treasure the moments you spend preparing a meal for yourself or loved ones. Make meal preparation enjoyable by planning what you will eat beforehand so that you can make the most of meal prep time.

Here are some mindful ways for you to make your meal preparation and family meal times more meaningful from start to finish:

Take time to inspect fresh produce and meat. Is it ripe and beautiful? Is the meat truly fresh, or is it enhanced with color?  Choose fresh foods with care.

When preparing a meal, handle foods with love. Think about the nutritious qualities of each food and how it will benefit you.

As you chop and slice, try to make the pieces of equal sizes so they are pleasing to the eye and easy to chew.

As you mix and cook, stir the foods carefully. Think about how much you love the ones who will eat this food (even if it is only for you!).

Stir the food in your pot clock-wise for better health and a happier family dinner time.

Make eating time special. Play soft music, mention the nutritive values of the foods you’ve prepared, and be grateful from the inside out – you’ve spent quality time with your food!

Taking time to think about what you are preparing has the added benefit of priming your subconscious mind to believe that you are taking care of your body. Over time, you will begin choosing healthier foods naturally.