Mindful eating is a conscious act to create a more satisfying, nourishing and enjoyable relationship with food. Practicing a more mindful approach to eating assists with aiding digestion, reducing anxious thoughts surrounding food, and improving your psychological relationship with food. Mindful eating is not a diet. Mindful eating is about the way we eat, not what we eat.
Raw vegan slice is a great way to enjoy a sweet, low GI snack that contains healthy fats. This recipe can be used to make different flavours by substituting the fruit element with things like mango, raspberry or passionfruit. Vegan slice can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or alternatively portioned and frozen.
Filling Ingredients…
3 cups cashews (soaked for 12 hours)
¾ cup melted cacao butter or 1 cup melted coconut oil
¼ cup rice malt syrup or maple syrup
¼ cup coconut cream
1 ½ cup strawberry puree
3 limes
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch salt
Base Ingredients…
½ cup macadamia
½ cup almonds
½ cup toasted coconut
¼ cup buckwheat
6 medjool dates
Pinch salt
Method…
- For the base, place all ingredients into food processor and process until combined.
- Press firmly and evenly into lined cake tin (should be about ½ cm thick) and refrigerate.
- For the filling, strain cashews and place in blender with all other ingredients.
- Blend on high until smooth, thick creamy consistency is achieved. If mixture is too thick and not blending, add some more coconut milk to reach required texture.
- Taste for sweetness.
- Pour over base and tap cake mould on bend to smooth out top of slice.
- Refrigerate overnight or freeze until set.
- Enjoy with some fresh fruit and vanilla coconut yoghurt.
Below are my top tips to help you practice mindful eating
- Give priority to meal times – try to take at least 15 minutes to sit down and enjoy your meal.
- Avoid distractions and being rushed around meal times. Start by scheduling time to eat when you are unlikely to be interrupted.
- Rest your cutlery next to your plate between mouthfuls and make a conscious effort to chew your food thoroughly.
- Take time to taste and savour your food. Use your senses! Before eating take note of the look, smell, and overall appeal of the meal you are about to eat. During the meal identify components of the food you taste. What is the flavour? What can you smell? How does it feel in your mouth?
- Take note of the difference good food (fresh, seasonal, minimally processed wholefoods) makes to your mood and overall vitality. Food is there to nourish your body and provide nutrition to facilitate optimal functioning. When you eat better, you will feel better both physically and psychologically.
