Eating for Evolution!

Two weeks ago I was Italy; in the hills above Florence attending a 9 day retreat with spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen. It was a deeply profound retreat in which we delved into the ground of being during almost 4 days of silence, emerging only to experience a depth of awareness that was previously unknown to me (sustained depth of awareness that is). I was able to objectify the collective and personal ego, and then choose to act out of something different... To act, in the moment, in alignment with Authentic Self. It is hard to find words to describe what a big deal this is! It IS true liberation. The realization that we are part of a 14 billion year evolutionary process... that we are that process... takes human responsibility to a whole new level.

I was aware of my physiology literally changing in response to my increased awareness and increased time spent in meditation. Being the food minded person that I am, I was pondering what "eating for evolution" would be like, taste like, look like...

While at the retreat we ate vegetarian food. It was incredibly fresh, and stupendously simple. There was a lovely, buffet type spread of vegetables (raw and cooked), Tuscan white beans, polenta , bruschetta or pasta, various large blocks of unbelievable, locally made cheeses, basic soups, fresh fruit and various nuts served at most every meal (breakfasts were a bit smaller, but never-the-less incredible). It was the most perfectly supportive fare for what we were doing at the retreat.... conciously evolving!
I was reflecting on how much of the processed and heavy foods that are typical in the western diet actually impead this natural evolutionary tendency. They create inertia, they weigh down the body/mind and cause sluggishness.
I encourage my patients to eat as fresh as possible, local/reginal when possible, and in season. This is the only sound advice about eating that I feel applies to everyone. I have seen over the years of my clinical experience that beyond those sound words of advice, there is no one diet that applies to everyone. As we evolve and change, and move through different seasons in life, our bodies require different foods for optimal functioning.
I am really starting to look into what "eating for evolution" can mean. At this point in time... in my 33rd year of life, I'm spending more time in meditation and less time identified with my thoughts, fears and desires (and I have a long way to go! :)). I am finding that what my body needs (in regards to food) is quite different. I am moving towards simplicity; veggies, beans, whole, gluten free grains, some fruits and nuts, and little bits of high quality animal products a few times per month. I am falling more deeply in love with good, wholesome, fresh foods... and every cell in my body is thankful.
Here is a dish that I toyed around with recently... grilled figs with fresh goat cheese from the farmers market. I topped it with a bit of balsamic reduction. Yummmy!