I’ll developed the habit when I was in my 20s of eating very small portions. I’d done it a few times almost by accident, and discovered I liked chewing slowly and savoring the taste of thick, grainy breads, ripe peaches, almonds and Brazil nuts, steamed vegetables sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan. It didn’t work with processed foods, though (white flour turns to school glue in the mouth), so at the same time I got into the habit of eating whole foods. Hurriedly consuming large amounts of predigested pseudo-foods was far less satisfying than slowly savoring small amounts of natural substances. Without even trying, over the next six months I lost nearly fifty pounds of spare tire.
Sadly, a few years later, while touring with a comedy act, I began falling into the old pattern of consuming large amounts of processed foods–no savoring required (or desirable). I also relocated that spare tire I’d misplaced; one friend called me “Michelin.”
Now, some decades on, I’m renouncing the rubber and learning once again to savor the flavor. Less is more: Small amounts of real foods fully savored are far more satisfying than over-sweetened, over-salted, over-priced styrofoods so quickly consumed one never truly experiences them.
Uh-oh, I feel a metaphor coming on. Anything in life that is natural and healthy—friendships, family, serving others, worship—will stand up to being savored. It’s the over-processed, repackaged pseudo-experiences that demand quick, thoughtless consumption. Savoring the flavor of life conditions us to seek more of the same, and before we know it we begin to shed the layers of fat that have insulated us from what is good and real and, yes, God-given.
We plough the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft refreshing rain.
We thank thee, then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food:
No gifts have we to offer
For all thy love imparts,
But that which thou desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.
~Matthias Claudius (English adaptation by Jane Montgomery Campbell)
Mitch Teemley 
Thanks, Mitch – for both the great post (all very true) & for putting the (rather excellent & satisfying) earworm into my mind with that beautiful hymn. I am, at once, in infant school again! – Some melodies & lyrics never really disappear, do they.
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Happy to oblige, Nick. I first learned the lyrics to the old hymn via the Godspell version, and still get choked up when I hear it.
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Enjoyed reading this while savoring a thick piece of bacon. 🙂
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There ya go!
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I’ve tread the same journey myself, Sir. I too recently drove off bad, old habits. I really want to enjoy watching my sons learn to appreciate all the nagging they endured from me as they grow. Annnd be able to run when I overdo it 😄 ❤
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Yes!
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I have bad eating habits and I can really find inspiration with this post, Mitch.
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So glad you found it inspiring, Cynthia. Go for it!
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What a rich and beautiful post. Worth savoring!
Thank you.
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Aw, thanks, Russ. Have a great weekend!
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That’s a keeper of a metaphor, Mitch. To savor the flavors of life does result in greater soul-satisfaction. The proof lies in our memories. The stand-outs are those that involve precious people, (naturally) beautiful places (if not to the eye, then to the heart), worthwhile endeavors, and God-infused moments. Maybe that’s why mission trips create such indelible memories. They involve all four components.
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Amen, Nancy.
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That’s a nice blog you have 🙂
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Hey Mitch,
I Read some of your writings, you are an awesome writer.
i was wondering, i wanted to be introduced to you personally via emails, would it be okay?
you are a famous person, i know, there is no reason for you to contact me personally, but still i am asking, it would be a pleasure if you agree, no problem if you do not.
i also have a small blog, i was wondering we could guest blog on each other’s blog if you were interested.
either way, let me know your thoughts, and give me an email address if you agree.
Regards
Tawsif
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Hi Tawsif. I’m honored by your request (and, no, I’m not particularly famous). I don’t seem to find the time to do guest blogs, but I’m always happy to be reblogged. I look forward to visiting your blog site and reading your posts.
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A post well worth savoring… thank you, Mitch.
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I’m working to be more intentional about savoring my food. Great post!
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Thank you, Nancy.
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Even more satisfying is savoring wholesome food with good friends; taking time to enjoy the flavor of nutritious conversation.
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Indeed.
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I had to take a class on industrial pesticides when I was in college. After that I feared corporate foods. I haven’t been able to avoid them like I wish. But, I pray really hard over my meals now.
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Yep.
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Hi, Nice blog and post. I have some good stuff on food and health on my site http://ifbacongrewontrees.wordpress.com
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