What Does It Mean To Nourish?
“To Nourish”
Does anyone else get excited about certain words or phrases? When you hear it, it invokes an emotion or feeling. For me the phrase “To Nourish” stirs up a number of responses, and a longing for certain actions.
Most people make a connection between nourish and food. Yes, that is true…but it is so much more!
In this post we are going to look at a variety of ways to embrace a nourishing mindset. Doing this can broaden our perspective on improving our health in ways that go beyond the food that we eat!
Lets start with the official definition according to Dictionary.com…
verb (used with object)
to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.
to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc..
to strengthen, build up, or promote.
I love everything about this definition!
Why Do We Often Miss This?
So often in the world of health and nutrition the focus is on what we need to remove from our diet and our home.
We are bombarded with negative information on seed oils, preservatives in foods and personal care products, hormone disruptors, microplastics, EMFs, toxins in our environment, and on and on.
I’m all for education and information, but sometimes it can feel too much! It can be overwhelming and feel like you are fighting a loosing battle.
Welcome the Joy of Nourishing!
When we are focused on “nourishing” our bodies, our thoughts change from a defensive mindset to an offensive mindset.
Our thoughts shift from avoiding problematic things, to giving our bodies the nutrients and support that it needs.
When we approach our health in this way, it stops being all about what we “can’t” have. Our focus and priority becomes what am I going to blessing my body with each day.
This shift ends up making it easier to make supportive and healthy choices.
So How Does This Look?
When our focus is on nourishing our bodies, there is an element of intentionality that comes with it. Sometimes the choices aren’t hard, it just takes a moment to think about them, as well as implement them into our routine.
For example, if we are struggling with digestive issues, we can make supporting our gut health a priority.
Collagen peptides are helpful at supporting and restoring our gut lining. Simply adding a scoop or two to our tea or coffee can be nourishing. As a visual reminder to add it in, you can place your canister of collagen peptides near your coffee maker or tea pot.
Bone broth is an incredibly nourishing option also. Having a nice warm mug of it on a cold day not only supports our gut health, but it warms our hearts too!
While we are talking about broth, it is worth mentioning one of the top foods that comes to my mind when I think of things that are nourishing…chicken soup!
You can even be intentional with this. If you are not feeling well, adding some garlic, ginger, lemon zest, and lemon juice are wonderful additions! Not only do they add delicious flavor, but they support your body’s ability to detox whatever you are fighting, as well as your immune system!
It Is So Much More Than The Food On Our Plates!
Our bodies are composed of the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual. All of these areas need attention, and long to be nourished.
I say this not to add things or a burden to an all ready too long to do list! But to broaden our perspective to see that all aspects of us need to be loved on.
Personally I have found that nourishing my inner spiritual soul, ends up nourishing all the other areas as well. Sort of like a “buy 1, get three free” kind of deal ;)
When I look at my life through the eyes of the One who designed it, trusting in His perfect design, seeking to honor the body He has given me, as an act of gratitude, praise, and worship…the choice To Nourish my body becomes so much easier!
When we do this we are able to support the systems that God has woven into our bodies as a way of protection. We have an immune system that helps us fight infections. We have detoxifying pathways that help to filter out toxins.
In our world today, no doubt that our systems can get overburdened.
I just want to encourage you to pause…breathe…be kind to yourself…love on your body…on those around you…and look for ways to nourish the body God has blessed you with!
Doing so honors Him, as well as supports you on your journey to healthier living!
Wishing you a blessed and beautiful day!