Eating well to live well

Home-made pesto and gluten-free pasta at Hongrie

At Hongrie, we firmly believe in eating well to live well. 

In order to stay healthy, one of the basic rules is to eat well: this is a rather conventional wisdom.

However we think that the aesthetic appeal of the dish, as well as that of the table where the meal is served, is equally important. In order to make the most of a healthy and yummy meal, it is essential to let the body relax and soak in all the goodness from the aliments.

Traditional Chinese medicine principles states that alimentation and housing aspects belong to the Earth element, linked with Nature's energy. In other words, this old wisdom states that since people come from nature, we are part of it and can nourish ourselves with elements from nature during our lifetime. Nourish oneself does not stop at simply eating aliments; it also encompasses an almost maternal notion of nourishment which means to be cherished and loved.

The consequences for our diet are that meals go further towards our health that we would think. Eating does not only bring concrete nourishment through vitamins and other nutritive elements; it also provides us with comfort, satisfaction, reassurance and a feeling of protection. When distressed, we yearn to eat our favourite foods to appease our inner turmoil. 

Soy sauce sauté of green and yellow courgettes, onions, sesame seeds and rice

Thus a lovely table, set with beautiful cutlery and well-arranged dishes, brings about a great atmosphere, leading to a more relaxed body, a better digestion. If colours and flavours harmonise, we will feel better disposed towards the rest of the day, more productive and energetic than before.

On the contrary, a meal composed of carelessly assembled aliments, taken in a hurry, and in a noisy or threatening atmosphere, will raise alarms in our bodies. The stress hormones are more likely to be produced, even at a supposedly resting time; digestion will be slower and energy levels will drop.

Furthermore, a meal that favours a beautiful presentation, where the aesthetics of dishes has been taken into account, establishes a direct relation between the eater and their nourishment. There are no distractions from the meal, we can focus on our plate and the people we share the meal with. Our body is fully taken into account, and instead of fuelling hurriedly, we cherish the feeling of caring for ourselves. Often the immediate result is that this time spent is a direct return investment: an easy digestion, a flowing energy and a joyful mood marks the end of the meal.

A vegetarian meal in a Kyoto Temple, Autumn 2015

In Japan, where meals are composed as if they were works of art, it is rather rude to speak business while at the table. Even when eating with colleagues or customers, it is important to focus on the meal to facilitate the digestion and build up energy for the coming discussion. When tea is served, or a digestive walk is taken, it is then time to start the negotiations. 

We would all gain to imitate the Japanese example, in any way possible. Watching television while eating with family is a common mistake, which prevents us from fully savouring the meal and reconnecting with loved ones.

Eating well is living better, and whatever our circumstances there are always small steps to be taken to improve our well being.