Mindful Cooking - The Art of Mindfulness

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TIPS FOR CAREGIVER
Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps children manage emotions, create and achieve goals, maintain relationships, learn how to feel empathy, and make good decisions. The SEL approach will help children establish positive habits in communication, cooperation, and decision-making. By incorporating SEL in early reading, children will be better equipped to build confidence and foster positive peer networks.

BEFORE READING
Talk to the reader about kitchen safety.

Discuss: What can happen if you don’t take your time in the kitchen? What can you do to lessen distractions? How does that relate to mindfulness?

AFTER READING
Talk to the reader about how mindful cooking can help him or her focus.

Discuss: Cooking takes concentration. How does cooking help you focus on your senses? What part of cooking feels the most creative to you?

SEL GOAL
Some students may struggle with self-awareness, making it hard to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Mindful cooking can help readers develop these skills by learning to slow down and focus. This can help them manage stress and control impulses in other areas of their lives.

GROW WITH GOALS
Being mindful in the kitchen can help you be present and help you focus. Try these things to cook mindfully.

Goal: Think about what you want to eat and why. Does a certain food sound good because it brings you comfort? Do you want to make a recipe because it looks challenging?

Goal: Show gratitude for the ingredients you are using. Think about what it took to get those ingredients to your kitchen. Be thankful for all the people who helped grow and produce the food you are about to eat.

Goal: Eat with intention. With each bite, pay attention to your senses. How does the sight, taste, smell, and feel of each bite influence your mood?

TRY THIS!
When eating, use all of your senses. This will help you mindfully experience your food. Try it with one of the main pizza toppings: cheese! Pick a piece of cheese. Take a few deep breaths.

Then focus on each of your senses:
sight: What color is the cheese? Is it shredded or cubed?

touch: Is the cheese cold? Is it soft and squishy?

smell: How does the cheese smell? Is it different from the other ingredients?

sound: Does the cheese make sounds when you squish it gently by your ear?

taste: When the cheese is on your tongue, can you taste the flavors?
Are there any flavors left after you chew and swallow?