Mindful Eating
Our eyes make all the decisions about the food we eat. Our eyes send messages to our brain about the food we are eating…what it looks like and whether it looks like enough. These are visual cues. Unfortunately, our eyes can only perceive relative size and amounts. If we use large plates then it will take more food on that plate for our eyes to see the amount of food served up as enough. If we place a smaller amount of food on a large plate our eyes will perceive it as puny.
We live in a super-sized world. This means our frame of reference for portion sizes is super-sized too. We have no idea what right-sized amounts of food looks like. In fact, when you ask someone what a standard recommended serving size is for something like mashed potatoes, what do you think they will say? Most often, we have found, they will say it is a cup. Actually, the standard serving is ½ cup for mashed potatoes and all carbohydrates. This is always an eye-opener.
That is why Livliga was created, to help right size our eyes when it comes to portion sizes and also to provide the guide to serve up those right-sized portions. We do it with the design of the dishware. First, each dish has been right-sized. For instance, instead of a 12 - 14 inch plate you can buy at places like Ikea, our plates are “normalized” at 10.5 inches in size. They don’t look small…they look “just right.” We are also right-sizing your food environment. Every dish has been specifically designed to be perfectly portioned to make all servings look plentiful.
Some might wonder why the size of the plate…or bowl…or mug matters…the reason is that it better frames the food served up on the dish, making it look more plentiful. It is important that our eyes perceive the food we eat as enough. If we don’t, what do you imagine we will think and do? Typically, we will feel deprived and denied. And when we feel we are not getting enough, we will end up serving ourselves more and ultimately overeating. This is why we get stuck in the pattern of overeating and not living the healthy lifestyle we want.
Livliga has created an entire suite of product that works as a system to normalize food quantities so that you can serve up perfect portions for a healthy lifestyle. This is so innovative that we now have 3 patents and 3 national awards. More importantly, we have satisfied customers who tell us how well it works for them.
There is nothing better than a Sloppy Joe when you are ready for a simple meal that can accommodate a few or many. This recipe is one that is also mindful of your pocketbook. It has the classic flavor of a Sloppy Joe yet has been updated to be more health-balanced. Try it out and make sure to serve it up on Livliga's mindful eating dinnerware!
Get the recipe here.
Smoothies are a mainstay for our family. During the summer months our breakfast is a fruit smoothie. We may make fewer smoothies during the colder months but it is still fun to explore a variety of options and ingredients for smoothies. Pumpkin makes us think of the fall, pumpkin patches, the turning of the leaves and the festivities to come.
Pumpkin is also a great healthy resource to include in the recipes we make including pancakes, muffins, chilis or smoothies. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What’s more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants can boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health. Pumpkin is very versatile and easy to add to your diet in both sweet and savory dishes. Incorporating pumpkin into your diet is a wonderful way to reap health benefits. Below is an easy recipe for a pumpkin spice protein smoothie.
Serve immediately.
Serves: 1. Serving size: 1 glass. Calories: 331; Fat: 2g; Sodium: 99g; Carbohydrate: 47g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Protein: 33g.
