Tasting Food

It may surprise those who know how much I love to cook and eat but I don't always taste the food I eat. Seems silly doesn't it? How can one eat food and not taste it? For me, a wondering mind often distracts from truly tasting the food I'm putting in my mouth.  To truly taste (and therefore enjoy) food, I need to be present to experience the chemical, texture, and smell of each bite. Sounds simple; so why is it so hard?

Tasting the first bite of a meal is easy but I'm probably not alone in the habit of continuing to eat while I think, read, listen to the radio/music/other people, check email, surf the web, etc.); some would call this multi-tasking but I've come to view multi-tasking as a misnomer. 

I'm trying to be present while preparing and especially eating meals. It helps to close my eyes while I chew and focus on the texture and smell of the food as well as the chemical reaction with me taste buds. Counting 25 or more chews for each bite also helps. This is a work in progress but I'm enjoying my food more. I'm also more mindful of what and how much I'm putting in my mouth. I wondered about this approach as a couple or family; seems like it would be even more difficult.

I don't claim perfection and it is not my intent to criticize others; just sharing my thoughts:). I wndered about this approach as a couple or family; seems like it would be even more difficult.