If you’ve been reading for a while, you may have noticed that I really like to dine. Family gathering or three courses at a restaurant, I truly love the process and the event of sitting around a table, chatting with the company, slowly eating the food.
In my ideal world, every meal would be an unhurried affair. Leisurely hour-long breakfasts would be the norm, perhaps with a coffee refill and endless time to catch up on news or blogs or friendly emails. I’d enjoy a relaxed, European-style lunch, without glancing at the clock ticking by. We’d all take a break for an afternoon snack, perhaps outdoors; I’d sip tea and dig into yogurt, granola, and seasonal fruit with time for a tiny spoon, making it last.
Of course, reality is a bit different. Take yesterday: while running around, I ate lunch standing up. It was healthy and enjoyable, but it didn’t last long, and the “experience” was far more about fuel than flavor. When I throw some nuts or a bar in my purse for an on-the-go snack, it’s very much the same – it’s quick, dense, and keeps my energy up. Sometimes, that’s all I can ask for.
I do try my hardest, however, to eat at least one meal a day at a calm pace. Usually it’s breakfast, because I believe the day should open in a peaceful, simple way. By dinnertime, though, I’m often guilty of multitasking – perusing the internet, working on projects, catching up on phone calls.
My goal this week? Disconnect at dinner. I ‘m good about decompressing while I cook – now I just need to extend the experience to the table.
Which meal would you most like to eat at a leisurely pace? How often are you able to?
Related posts:
I multi task at lunch, so that’s the one I pick to be eaten leisurely.
I enjoy breakfast every morning. It’s a really important routine to me, having a nice bowl of oats or pancakes, enjoy them, sip coffee and read news and blogs. I think that all my days are better if I start them well.
I think the same thing all the time, in that I look forward to each and every meal/snack but am often so distracted or in a hurry that I don’t “savor” it, so to speak.
I love breakfast at home on the weekends, but I take breakfast and lunch to work during the week. Sadly, these are usually eaten while on the computer.
So, I made a rule about a month ago that as long as the weather is nice, dinner is consumed outside in the sun with no distractions. Considering it’s Michigan, this didn’t last long. So now I make sure dinner is without a computer in front of me and properly enjoyed :)
I love a long breafast too, which I only really get at the weekend, so I make the most of it.
I love relaxing over meals. I never eat with the TV on or music..just use the time to relax, think, enjoy. Breakfast is easiest for me to do this because I am usually calm and awake in plenty of time. I can’t start the day properly without that initial relaxation time. Dinners right now are pretty chilled out for me because I prep my food in advance and can take as long as I want to :D
Dinner is usually a rushed affair at our house too. My kids are fussy and want to eat. Hubby is antsy to start on his online class so he’s not up all night working and I’m exhausted and just want to hurry up, eat and finish my night routine so I can relax. Evenings are difficult. I’m thankful that I can eat breakfast and lunch at my own pace. It’s at work but it’s normally not too busy and I can enjoy my meals.
-A
Breakfast is a blur because I’m trying to get my husband’s lunch ready, make and feed my 1 year old daughter some breakfast and while grabbing something while I’m half asleep. Now dinner, we have wonderful family time and great conversation. I think I can give up a sit down breakfast to have a wonderful dinner with my family.
I’d LOVE to live in a world the way you described it… so I have a hard time choosing just one meal! But I’d probably say breakfast, for the same reason you did. I actually get to do that about once a week. That would be Sunday.
<3 <3
A leisurely breakfast is my top priority–even I it means waiting 2 hours to get silvino up and ready for school. It’s just so much more peaceful.
I think breakfast and dinner should always be spent in a slow pace. But reality is I either wake up early to have a relaxing breakfast or sleep in and have a quick one. I usually pick the first opition but sometimes I end up blogging while I eat.
Great question!
Maggie
Sometimes when I eat dinner on my own it’s nice to have a long relaxing meal. I don’t usually do this anymore, but it used to be one of the highlights of my day when I studied all night.
I walk past the Four Seasons every morning on my way to work and see people eating lovely looking real breakfasts, and I always want to be able to stop and spend an hour or two eating and reading. Alas, I am usually going at breakneck speed! I do enjoy a nice long brunch after a weekend run. I am with you, all about the dining experience!
In my case it’s dinner because I always rush in the morning and eat lunch at my desk.
I wish I could eat more slowly though, to be able to enjoy more! :)