Eating Artfully

Food is the one thing we all have in common. It’s a universal language that, no matter where we are in the world, we all speak. And, it is one of the most powerful mediums that inspire us artistically and mindfully. All of these reasons are why food and cooking are so important to me. And yes, there is a right way to enjoy it all. “Eating Artfully” is all about creating beautiful food at home and thoroughly enjoying the process along the way.

Often, we eat too quickly, or we end up in such a hurry, our food choices get stuck in a hamster wheel, leaving us with no desire to try creating something new in the kitchen. We decide that there is “no time to cook.” We grab that manufactured product at the store that says, “I’m quick. I’m easy. You won’t have to relate to me at all! Just put me in the microwave. I’m your new masterpiece in two minutes flat!” And then what happens? You remove that masterpiece from said microwave and taste a wave of an artificial, rubbery, void served in a plastic container. Where’s the excitement in eating that? I’ll tell you exactly where the excitement lies.

It’s lying dormant within our brains, waiting for an earth-shattering awakening from its slumber.

And, it’s up to us to bring it back to life. When we eat delicious food, we encounter its taste, smell, and textural components. Also, we take in a more in-depth multisensory experience we don’t usually notice. Our perceptions of how it will taste before we eat it comes into play. Our surroundings add to the effect of how much we enjoy that first and last bite. We even gauge the level of our experience by the shape, color, and size or our plates. It’s all relevant to how we see, taste, and take in our food.

Okay, Ruthie, but what exactly IS eating artfully?

To eat artfully is to have complete awareness during the process of preparing and enjoying a meal. You must start by believing with your entire being that you are worthy of having that creative connection with food and cooking. You deserve to feel good when creating a beautiful meal and sharing it with the people you love. It should never be stressful or “work” to cook. It should be 100% enjoyable!

How do you eat artfully?

When we cook, we empty our minds of the day’s stressors, and we focus on silencing negative thoughts while welcoming calmness. When we are in this mindset, we wash, cut, cook, taste, and savor with awareness and enjoyment. We become intimate with cooking THROUGH cooking, and learn how to create something sensational. If you say to yourself, “I don’t have time to cook” or “I’m not that creative” or “I don’t like cleaning up afterward,” you are making excuses not to grow in your creativity. Stop that! Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned cook, now is the time to get into the kitchen and advance in your cooking skills. I’ll be your guide, cooking partner, and coach to get that ball rolling!

For your first dive into eating artfully, I’d like for you to make tomato toast. The idea came from a friend I follow on Instagram, @despidoodle, and I wanted to push the concept further to reach more people! She encourages others to share their creation with a simple snack of tomatoes on toast. Yes, just a simple yet gorgeous tomato toast for you and only you to enjoy. It can be an early morning breakfast when no one else is awake, or it can be a late-night snack. The idea is to connect with the ingredients you choose. Touch the tomatoes with your hands, see their beauty with your eyes, smell the fragrance of the herbs, taste the freshness, sweetness, and textures with your tongue.

Your Tomato Toast

choice of bread (ciabatta, multi-grain or artisanal loaf), toasted to perfection

tomatoes (cherry, Roma, heirlooms, or any other variety)

a soft spreadable base (avocado, vegan sour cream, hummus or cream cheese)

Fresh herbs (basil, chives, tarragon, or micro-greens)

a dressing for drizzle (balsamic glaze or dijon-based vinaigrette)

sprinklings (hemp hearts, chia or poppy seeds, dried herbs or seasonings)

Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper

Once you’ve got your masterpiece created, serve the toast on a plate that speaks to you at that moment. How do you want to feel when you eat this toast? Do you want to feel regal? Do you want to feel a sense of comfort? Think about what will frame your toast and give it that extra aesthetic it deserves. Do this with complete consciousness, don’t just go through the motions. Manifest the arranging of the ingredients onto your toast and be alive in the present moment. I shit you not, emotions will surface, and your tomato toast will be beautiful.

Take a snapshot and share it in your Instagram stories with the hashtag #tomatotoast. And, don’t forget to tag @despidoodle and @blackfigfood so that we can see your gorgeous creation! YOU’VE GOT THIS!!!