This is Mindful Eating
This past weekend I was blessed to visit Camp Yoga Alberta, and facilitate a mindful eating workshop.
It was such a powerful reminder of how deeply food connects to our body, mind, and soul. In today’s world, eating can become rushed, distracted, or emotionally driven, but when we slow down and bring presence to the table, food becomes more than fuel… it becomes medicine, joy, and connection.
When I introduced myself to the group, I shared a little bit about my background. I’m a health and nutrition coach based in Calgary, serving clients globally. My work weaves together fitness, nutrition, yoga, and neurolinguistic programming to help people build holistic health. For me, food isn’t just fuel. It’s medicine, it’s emotional, it’s connective, and it’s enjoyable. But it can also become a coping mechanism. Many of us use food to numb or distract, or we eat mindlessly and overindulge. These patterns pull us out of harmony both physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.
That’s why this workshop was all about mindful eating. We used a simple smoothie bowl (see recipe below) as our anchor to practice slowing down and reconnecting.
We started by creating our bowls together. I spent time blending the base beforehand and invited the group to add their own toppings: fruit, granola, seeds, and cacao. Then, before digging in, I guided a short “five senses” meditation. Just a few minutes of noticing colours, textures, and smells completely shifted the energy in the room. Something as ordinary as a smoothie bowl became a grounding, sensory experience.
From there, I introduced one of the most important aspects of mindful eating: our nervous system. In modern life, so many of us operate in “fight or flight” mode without even realizing it. Work deadlines, constant busyness, workouts, reactive conversations, and the never-ending stream of notifications all keep our systems in a state of stress. When we eat in that state, digestion slows or even stops. Over time, that can lead to indigestion, stomach issues, and a weakened immune response.
The goal is to shift into “rest and digest” mode before meals, where the body can absorb nutrients fully and receive the benefits of the food we eat. Some simple ways to make this shift are:
Take five deep breaths before your first bite.
Sit down with your meal instead of eating on the go.
Notice the colours, textures, and flavours of your food.
Avoid scrolling or working while eating.
Share meals with others when you can.
Even these small practices can transform digestion, energy, and your overall relationship with food.
I also shared a bit of my personal story which you can read in this post. For years, I ate incredibly fast and often in a stressed-out state. It left me feeling unsatisfied, bloated, and disconnected. One small shift changed everything: slowing down and making my meals look beautiful. For a while, I even took pictures of every plate (check out my IG). It wasn’t always to post, but simply to pause and appreciate what I was about to eat. That simple act of presence taught me to savour food, and my digestion improved dramatically.
We ended the workshop by sharing reflections. Many participants noticed how different their food tasted when they slowed down, how much more they appreciated the colours and textures, and how just a few minutes of mindfulness shifted their whole experience.
The biggest takeaway? Mindful eating doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a few intentional breaths and a moment of presence, every meal can become a nourishing ritual.
Next time you sit down to eat, try pausing for just a moment. Take a breath. Notice your food with all five senses before your first bite. You may be surprised at how much more satisfying the experience becomes.
Sea Signature Smoothie Bowl
Blend
1 ½ Cup Frozen Berries
½ Frozen Banana (Cut Up)
¼ Cup Full Fat Coconut Milk
1 Scoop Protein Powder (whey or vegan)
1 Tbsp Nut Butter or Coconut Butter
Toppings
¼ Cup Granola
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 Tbsp Cacao Nibs
½ Fresh Banana, 2-3 Strawberries, ¼ Cup Blueberries
In a blender, combine frozen fruit, coconut milk, protein powder, and nut or coconut butter.
Blend until smooth and thick, adding a splash more milk if needed.
Spoon the smoothie into a bowl and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Freeze for 10 minutes.
Top with granola, chia seeds, cacao nibs, berries and sliced banana.
Serve immediately with a spoon and enjoy your smoothie bowl!
When you make this, I would love if you took a photo and tag me on Instagram. Enjoy!
