Jesus blessed food to honor where it truly came from. Food represents lifeforce. This is also to anchor gratitude and bless the body receiving it. Bless with intention and you are rewriting the structure of the substance. Water holds memory and food passed through many hands before reaching you. So you are also blessing and showing gratitude to everyone who was involved.
Water: I restore you to your initial memory. Food: Return to your sacred purpose. I receive you fully.
Like many other people, I take time to pray over every meal. For the people who raised/grew the ingredients, the people who prepared and cooked the food and finally the people who made it possible to bring the meal infront of me. A lot of people don’t have the ability to eat what I do, let alone eat at all, so giving thanks for every meal is a very important task for me.
To honor the gift of food, I need to be so very grateful and thankful for what we have and yet to waste less!
In the wasteful area, I need to remember what Yoda said, “do or don’t do – there is no try!”
I need to change my thinking, planning and habits in order to do better at being less wasteful!
Kathy, I like the do or don’t do line. It gets straight to the point. Overthinking, agendas, and trying go together. Especially nowadays and in the west, we make things more complicated than they need to be.
Just a quick note to apologize for my absence. Some medical issues are really challenging my ability to live in the present moment. Hope you all had a uplifting Thanksgiving. My son and his wife will be coming today and bringing dinner as I am not up to cooking. We are a day let but as we all know there is only NOW.
I, also, am sending healing thoughts. It is easy to get side tracked when the body hurts. Listen to it. Rest and self compassion are good medicine.
Blessings.
I am so sorry to hear you’ve not been well,
dear Carol Ann,
and will hold you
especially in my heart.
I am grateful that your son and his wife
will be visiting,
and bringing Thanksgiving dinner with them.
Bless you
and be well . . . ♥
Carol Ann, so sorry you’re going through it.
I’m glad you were feeling well enough to make an appearance here today. I always look forward to your contributions. Sending you warm soft healing energy. 🙏
Yes, it is so often that I take my access and ability to have food in my house for granted. I will try to be more present when I eat and aware of the absolute gift of food.
Maybe I will try a little quiet thanks, before eating.
Let’s see if I can remember to do this on a regular basis. It would be a nice routine to work on.
Last year I published a post on my personal blog, Thanks + Giving (https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2024/11/thanks-giving.html). The illustration came from Rebecca Solnit and reminds us all that every morsel of food is also a gift from someone’s labor, whether it’s our own or others.
Yesterday I started the prep for tomorrow’s family feast. I’ll do more today. This question is a good reminder to pause and appreciate the abundance I have access to and all the systems that bring food to me so I can nourish myself and my loved ones.
Looking back at my blog posts led me to a beautiful poem. I had it linked to the poem on this site but that link is now dead so I found another one. “Itadakimasu” by John J. Brugaletta https://www.designingyourlife.coach/blog/2019/7/25/itadakimasu-by-john-j-brugaletta. From Wikipedia: “Itadakimasu is a Japanese phrase that translates ‘to humbly receive’. Often said before eating a meal, the phrase is used as a way of showing gratitude and respect for everyone and everything that made the meal in front of you possible. It is meant to honor all: from the natural elements that supplied the ingredients, the people who grew the produce, to the ones who prepared and cooked the meal, etc.”
I love the picture you posted on your blog,
dear Barb,
of the family giving thanks at their holiday table,
and underneath
there is a dark-skinned farm worker
holding up a sign that says,
“de nada”. 🙂
I love it.
To remember or honor the abundant of the earth’s gift to me, I will continue to be grateful for all the gifts the earth provide for me each time I use or partake, and I will continue to try not to abuse the gift but be reverent because I am one with the earth and the earth is one with me. The Haundenosaunee said it best in a litany. Here is an excerpt from The Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations —Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora) in gratitude of the natural world —
“The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one. ‘
You can find the full gratitude message by clicking or copy this link. https://americanindian.si.edu/environment/pdf/01_02_thanksgiving_address.pdf
What an exquisite prayer you have shared with us,
dear Kansha . . .
I can picture a ceremony using this prayer
to pay homage to the natural world
and the Universe
for feeding her children.
Thank you for the link. ♥
Thank you for sharing this, Kansha. I read a version of it in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass. I wish we all had that respect and gratitude for Mother Earth and all her children.
That was a good example of teaching is to see the sunshine and rain in our tea. By being mindful of all of the elements that had to come together to make this meal possible it’s easy to be grateful! Thank you .
Think about what kinds of conditions the food grew in, how it was harvested and processed, who transported it, and how; where either ended up before I bought it. People do this all the time with wine–tell the story of the grapes’ origins and how they are aged. I would like to think of all the food I eat that way. Plus, it satisfies my curiosity.
I like this idea, Drea–the terroir of all our food. Tomorrow I’ll be making mashed potatoes from potatoes I grew, so I know their story. I made cranberry sauce yesterday with cranberries I got at the farmers’ market, grown not far from here. I made bran muffin mix from grain grown on the Olympic Peninsula, the closest possible source of flour. I have Cougar Gold cheese, an aged white cheddar made at Washington State University from the milk of local cows (best cheese in the world!). Everything else traveled from somewhere and I don’t know its story.
Say a prayer before eating the food, being aware and grateful for all the many people who have contributed with all their heart and hard work to make it possible that the food is available for nourishing my body and life, being grateful for all the trees and plants on this planet Mother Earth for supplying the oxygen we need for living, as well as providing the food and water for us all. Being aware also that many people do not have the opportunity to access fresh clean water and food to live on, and being grateful for what is there for me and us so abundantly.
Having a moment of silence to thank all those who helped get the food onto the table before eating it. We are having our Thanksgiving on Saturday and I can’t wait!!
I grew up hearing from my Dad’s side of the family – “”Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” – makes me think of my Mom-Mom 💗
Interesting how today is both Black Friday and also Buy Nothing Day – total opposites, make good choices everyone:)
We bought our grandson and granddaughter each a book they picked out at a book store that sold many used books today and saw Zootopia 2. Theaters are destination spot and book stores are going the way of the dodo bird.
As others have said take a moment to be grateful to the earth and all the people that made it possible for the food to reach me.
Sometimes I try to hand a box of granola bars or something to the people at stoplights. Not exactly nutritious but nonparishable and a little sustainable. I deliberately went through a drive thru once and handed a gentleman a meal.
One of our local vegan restaurants has a pay it forward option and they welcome people who need a meal to come in and be fed. When I eat there I put some money toward that. One day I was sitting outside eating lunch and a man approached me to ask for money for food. I said, “I don’t have cash, but I just put some money on the pay it forward inside.” He thanked me and went in.
I was still sitting there when he came out with a bag of food and thanked me with a “Bless you, bless you!”. I don’t always get to see the person I help with my donations. I was so glad I had just done that when he asked for help.
We don’t have Panera where I live,
but I’ve been to one,
and believe they do what you describe . . .
am I right?
I think it would be wonderful
if more restaurants
did something like this. ♥
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Jesus blessed food to honor where it truly came from. Food represents lifeforce. This is also to anchor gratitude and bless the body receiving it. Bless with intention and you are rewriting the structure of the substance. Water holds memory and food passed through many hands before reaching you. So you are also blessing and showing gratitude to everyone who was involved.
Water: I restore you to your initial memory. Food: Return to your sacred purpose. I receive you fully.
Like many other people, I take time to pray over every meal. For the people who raised/grew the ingredients, the people who prepared and cooked the food and finally the people who made it possible to bring the meal infront of me. A lot of people don’t have the ability to eat what I do, let alone eat at all, so giving thanks for every meal is a very important task for me.
I thanked my friend Mike for making a delicious turkey soup for Thanksgiving. I wasn’t up for a huge meal. It was perfect and very healthy.
To honor the gift of food, I need to be so very grateful and thankful for what we have and yet to waste less!
In the wasteful area, I need to remember what Yoda said, “do or don’t do – there is no try!”
I need to change my thinking, planning and habits in order to do better at being less wasteful!
Kathy, I like the do or don’t do line. It gets straight to the point. Overthinking, agendas, and trying go together. Especially nowadays and in the west, we make things more complicated than they need to be.
Just a quick note to apologize for my absence. Some medical issues are really challenging my ability to live in the present moment. Hope you all had a uplifting Thanksgiving. My son and his wife will be coming today and bringing dinner as I am not up to cooking. We are a day let but as we all know there is only NOW.
I, also, am sending healing thoughts. It is easy to get side tracked when the body hurts. Listen to it. Rest and self compassion are good medicine.
Blessings.
I hope you feel better soon Carol. Enjoy time with your son and daughter-in-law. You were missed and I appreciate you giving us an update.
Hope you feel better soon Carol Ann.
Sending you healing thoughts, a hug & love.
🙏🏻🤗♥️
May improved health return Carol Ann.
Hope you are feeling better soon and enjoy time with your family.
I am so sorry to hear you’ve not been well,
dear Carol Ann,
and will hold you
especially in my heart.
I am grateful that your son and his wife
will be visiting,
and bringing Thanksgiving dinner with them.
Bless you
and be well . . . ♥
ps. Yes,
you were missed.
Thank you for letting us know. Sending lots of healing your way ✨
Thank you, Patti
Missed you!
Thank you, Christina.
Carol Ann, so sorry you’re going through it.
I’m glad you were feeling well enough to make an appearance here today. I always look forward to your contributions. Sending you warm soft healing energy. 🙏
Thanks, Charlie…I feel the energy!
Yes, it is so often that I take my access and ability to have food in my house for granted. I will try to be more present when I eat and aware of the absolute gift of food.
Maybe I will try a little quiet thanks, before eating.
Let’s see if I can remember to do this on a regular basis. It would be a nice routine to work on.
Say a prayer before I eat.
Give thanks for the abundance on my plate. 🙏🏻
🕊️♥️
Last year I published a post on my personal blog, Thanks + Giving (https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2024/11/thanks-giving.html). The illustration came from Rebecca Solnit and reminds us all that every morsel of food is also a gift from someone’s labor, whether it’s our own or others.
Yesterday I started the prep for tomorrow’s family feast. I’ll do more today. This question is a good reminder to pause and appreciate the abundance I have access to and all the systems that bring food to me so I can nourish myself and my loved ones.
Looking back at my blog posts led me to a beautiful poem. I had it linked to the poem on this site but that link is now dead so I found another one. “Itadakimasu” by John J. Brugaletta https://www.designingyourlife.coach/blog/2019/7/25/itadakimasu-by-john-j-brugaletta. From Wikipedia: “Itadakimasu is a Japanese phrase that translates ‘to humbly receive’. Often said before eating a meal, the phrase is used as a way of showing gratitude and respect for everyone and everything that made the meal in front of you possible. It is meant to honor all: from the natural elements that supplied the ingredients, the people who grew the produce, to the ones who prepared and cooked the meal, etc.”
I love the picture you posted on your blog,
dear Barb,
of the family giving thanks at their holiday table,
and underneath
there is a dark-skinned farm worker
holding up a sign that says,
“de nada”. 🙂
I love it.
To remember or honor the abundant of the earth’s gift to me, I will continue to be grateful for all the gifts the earth provide for me each time I use or partake, and I will continue to try not to abuse the gift but be reverent because I am one with the earth and the earth is one with me. The Haundenosaunee said it best in a litany. Here is an excerpt from The Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations —Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora) in gratitude of the natural world —
“The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one. ‘
You can find the full gratitude message by clicking or copy this link. https://americanindian.si.edu/environment/pdf/01_02_thanksgiving_address.pdf
What an exquisite prayer you have shared with us,
dear Kansha . . .
I can picture a ceremony using this prayer
to pay homage to the natural world
and the Universe
for feeding her children.
Thank you for the link. ♥
Thank you for sharing this, Kansha. I read a version of it in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass. I wish we all had that respect and gratitude for Mother Earth and all her children.
That was a good example of teaching is to see the sunshine and rain in our tea. By being mindful of all of the elements that had to come together to make this meal possible it’s easy to be grateful! Thank you .
” . . . see the sunshine and rain in our tea.” Love this line, Antoinette.
Thay teaches this . It looks like auto correct changed Thay to that . I appreciate his teachings .
Think about what kinds of conditions the food grew in, how it was harvested and processed, who transported it, and how; where either ended up before I bought it. People do this all the time with wine–tell the story of the grapes’ origins and how they are aged. I would like to think of all the food I eat that way. Plus, it satisfies my curiosity.
I like this idea, Drea–the terroir of all our food. Tomorrow I’ll be making mashed potatoes from potatoes I grew, so I know their story. I made cranberry sauce yesterday with cranberries I got at the farmers’ market, grown not far from here. I made bran muffin mix from grain grown on the Olympic Peninsula, the closest possible source of flour. I have Cougar Gold cheese, an aged white cheddar made at Washington State University from the milk of local cows (best cheese in the world!). Everything else traveled from somewhere and I don’t know its story.
Enjoy it!
Nice simple answer, Christina; short, sweet, and straight to the point.
Say a prayer before eating the food, being aware and grateful for all the many people who have contributed with all their heart and hard work to make it possible that the food is available for nourishing my body and life, being grateful for all the trees and plants on this planet Mother Earth for supplying the oxygen we need for living, as well as providing the food and water for us all. Being aware also that many people do not have the opportunity to access fresh clean water and food to live on, and being grateful for what is there for me and us so abundantly.
Having a moment of silence to thank all those who helped get the food onto the table before eating it. We are having our Thanksgiving on Saturday and I can’t wait!!
I grew up hearing from my Dad’s side of the family – “”Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” – makes me think of my Mom-Mom 💗
Interesting how today is both Black Friday and also Buy Nothing Day – total opposites, make good choices everyone:)
I made a good choice today,
dear Michele . . .
I bought nothing. 🙂
We bought our grandson and granddaughter each a book they picked out at a book store that sold many used books today and saw Zootopia 2. Theaters are destination spot and book stores are going the way of the dodo bird.
That’s really too bad,
dear Joseph,
especially with children’s books,
which are usually so beautifully illustrated. ♥
Michele, that is the “before meal prayer” I grew up with as well. I still say it before my meals. 🙏🏻 Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend.
As others have said take a moment to be grateful to the earth and all the people that made it possible for the food to reach me.
Sometimes I try to hand a box of granola bars or something to the people at stoplights. Not exactly nutritious but nonparishable and a little sustainable. I deliberately went through a drive thru once and handed a gentleman a meal.
One of our local vegan restaurants has a pay it forward option and they welcome people who need a meal to come in and be fed. When I eat there I put some money toward that. One day I was sitting outside eating lunch and a man approached me to ask for money for food. I said, “I don’t have cash, but I just put some money on the pay it forward inside.” He thanked me and went in.
I was still sitting there when he came out with a bag of food and thanked me with a “Bless you, bless you!”. I don’t always get to see the person I help with my donations. I was so glad I had just done that when he asked for help.
We don’t have Panera where I live,
but I’ve been to one,
and believe they do what you describe . . .
am I right?
I think it would be wonderful
if more restaurants
did something like this. ♥
100% agree with you