Joy - blog

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Reader Question: Food, Women & God...

HI GUYS! WELL, I FINALLY GOT AROUND TO ANSWERING ONE OF THE QUESTIONS AMIDST THE MANY SUBMITTED BY YOU ALL.

HERE IS THE READER QUESTION THAT I PICKED...

"Yesterday's episode of Oprah was incredibly enlightening for a multitude of reasons which is why I’ve chosen the topic of food for my question. In case you didn’t watch, Geneen Roth the author of "Women, Food and God" (which you should definitely pick up!) spoke about our relationships with food and how our beliefs show up in this relationship. More specifically, Geneen delves into why women turn to food, emotionally even when they aren't hungry

I'm 19 years old and I found that my weight was steadily increasing in high school which led to multitude of problems. However, I put this to a stop when I took a course in sustainability and became a vegetarian.

Moreover, what struck me the most about this episode was when Oprah stated that when it comes to lack of restraint/weight gain, "the issue isn't really the food. It is about your disconnection from that which is real which we call God." And I truly believe this.

I want to know; what kind of relationship do you have with food and God? Also how has managing a restaurant affected your relationship with food for the good or bad?" - joyfan_03

Wow, great and inspiring question! I absolutely agree that our relationship to food can be connected to our identity in so many ways. When I stop and look at my eating habits-- what they are now, and what they have been in the past-- I find a most of my unhealthy eating patterns around busyness and depression and most of my healthy habits around feeling peaceful and intentional. Ultimately those things connect to my connection (or lack thereof) to God.

My life has always been a constant up and down of activity with no real schedule. I work for a few months at a time, or a few days at a time; random hours at varying degrees of intensity. This has made it very difficult for me to develop routines in any area of my life. For many years I would work, burn out, crash, go to God for re-fueling and start the process all over again. More recently I have found great value in the intentionality of "being". When I slow down my walking pace, my reading pace, my cooking pace, my communication pace, etc... I find I can hear the voice of God in my heart encouraging me and giving me wisdom for each moment. Unfortunately, this state of peace can prove difficult to maintain (especially since I'm pretty sure I have some mild, undiagnosed form of A.D.D.) and then, when I go too long ignoring the call to intentionality, I feel disappointed with myself and consequently, on a bad week, become depressed.

Of course, depression in mild or severe form drastically affects the way we treat ourselves, including our eating habits. I'll usually start by skipping breakfast, and just snacking all day until I'm about to fall over from hunger. Then I'll just eat whatever is around. It's not good for my body. In addition, I usually don't work out when I feel blue (which is exactly what my body needs to boost my endorphins and give me that pep in my step to motivate me out of my melancholy state). At the end of the day, everything points to my believe in my own identity and value, which will always come from God.

If I believe I am loved, treasured, beautiful, valuable and living in grace then I instinctually want to take care of myself. If I take the time to find out every day what God thinks of me and to get that reminder of who I really am, then the busyness won't take over. This is much easier said than done.

You asked how owning a restaurant has affected my relationship with food. If anything, it's been really great for me because it allows me access to so many different types of healthy, organic foods that I don't have to take the time to cook. I'm actually a little worried about going back to North Carolina! I can't go back to eating catering everyday after a summer of clean food! What will I do?? LOL

Anyway, I hope this answers your question! xo BJG