Primary Food

According to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, “Primary Food” is more than what is on your plate. Healthy relationships, regular physical activity, a fulfilling career and a spiritual practice can fill your soul and satisfy your hunger for life. When primary food is balanced and satiating, your life feeds you, making what you eat secondary. Primary food is energy you get from the things you do. When you are intentional about the ways you are satisfying the hunger of your spirit / soul you may find that you do less mindless eating.

As a child, there was very little pressure, I was allowed to try everything, and my most fulfilling sources of primary food were…

• Being outside

• Jumping rope

• Exploring

• Writing/Journaling

• Hanging with cousins

• Singing in church and school choir

• Learning everything

• Playing games

• Religion

• Digging in the dirt

• Fantasizing / daydreaming

In my twenties, I was less secure and seeking validation from others, my primary food was…

• Playing tennis

• Sex

• Live music events

• Playing cards

• Cooking

• Reading and writing poetry

• Exploring

In my thirties, I lived for family activities, I filled my cup with….

• Teaching cooking classes/health coaching

• Cooking

• Tennis

• Family time

• Playing games

• Singing

• Gardening

• Being by the ocean

• Being of service to others

• Hosting Parties

In my forties I know what I like, and I nourish my spirit with…

• Travel

• Learning everything

• Journaling

• Listening to audio books

• Ping pong

• Karaoke

• Gardening / plant care

• Self-discovery / recovery / care

• Creating a beautiful home environment

• Receiving mentorship

• Random creative projects

• Saving money

• Massages

• Sunshine

• Being by the water

• Observing nature

• Deep breathing and meditation

• New relationships

• Playing word, math and logic games

As you can see, not much has changed about the ways I have nourished my spirit over the ages. Themes of physical activity, nature and learning run through all the things I am passionate about. At my current age, I am into more than ever before. My primary food is expanding but becoming more specific as my perspective expands. Now, I am more in touch with what I like, what I want and what I need.  I am inwardly focused and excited about me.

What about you? What are some of the ways you satisfy your hunger for life?  Has this changed over time?