“If we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always gotten.” – Anthony Robbins
People constantly confess to me that they don’t like to cook or spend time in the kitchen. Either they don’t have the time or don’t know what to do – both issues span the energetic parts of us that symbolize change (solar plexus chakra) and creativity (sacral chakra).
Chances are that if we have issues in the microcosm of our kitchen, we may have issues in the macrocosm of our lives. For example, do you lack time for other things you’d like to do? Do you find yourself always pressed for time? Eating on the run? Doing everything on the fly? What about your creativity? Do you express yourself through words, art, or music? Or do you feel you don’t know how to be creative, or you become judgmental of your creativity (“I’m not a creative person…”)?
Remember that our relationship with foods and eating goes beyond into all aspects of our lives. Our food and eating world is a lens into what is happening on a larger scale.
That said, here are some simple ideas on how to tiptoe your way towards the kitchen…
Kitchen as Sanctuary, Healing the Solar Plexus Chakra through Time for Self: Let’s tackle the time issue – many people state that they are time-starved and the last thing they want to do is be in the kitchen. I completely understand that feeling! In fact, how rare is it that people even have 15 minutes to spare for themselves! So let’s look at it in another way – being in the kitchen and creating meals is one way to allow for some “alone” time – the kitchen becomes a “refuge”. Rather than focusing on “making a meal,” see if you can “create an atmosphere” that feels warm, loving, and nourishing to all parts of you. I create a “kitchen sanctuary” by lighting incense or white sage, burning some candles, and playing soothing music while making food. Or perhaps you need an energizing vibe. Play music that meets your mood. Generate a color or vibration in the kitchen that feels interesting to you…like inserting a yellow-colored light bulb in your kitchen light to bask you in a different hue. I’ve had clients tell me that their kitchen is the most lackluster room in the house. Painting the walls with a color you like may create an inviting atmosphere. Yellow (the color of the solar plexus chakra) resonates with self-esteem, power, and boundless energy – all things that many of us may feel we are lacking – which makes it a potentially great color for a room that we feel zaps our energy!
Kitchen as Art Studio, Healing the Sacral Chakra through the Senses and Discovery: What about the “but-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-it” complex? I hear lots from people stating that they simply don’t know what to do with foods they haven’t tried before. This is a perfect opportunity to open up your ability to be creative and expansive. After all, it’s not so important to cook perfectly – it is more essential that you explore, discover, and play. One of the things I like to do is to go on a Saturday night date at the grocery store when it is empty of customers. It gives me time to be in my own space after a long week and to “feel” the fruits and vegetables in the produce section. Sometimes I like to simply close my eyes and use my
hand to run along the produce to see if anything calls out to me. If I don’t use my hands, I use my eyes to stimulate my interest, usually due to a color or shape. For example, an intensely bright lemon or the curious shape of a pomegranate may catch my eyes. Do some research on the Internet on a fruit or vegetable so you can get some ideas on how to eat it. For example, quinoa, which looks like a grain, may be one to get you started. Did you know that it actually belongs to the same plant family as spinach, beets, and chard?
Enjoy your kitchen and make it your sacred space!
