Jennifer Chicheportiche

When I eat with mindfulness, I take more time to swallow my food. Chewing and tasting each pieces of food taken in during a meal is an important process of practicing mindfulness while eating. As a result, I feel more full with less food and I better digest what I swallow.
I also try to eat at regular times and places, gaining awareness of the food through a healthy eating routine.
Somehow, it also makes me reflect on the quality and freshness of the ingredients I am having, with a willingness to consume healthy food, not only for myself but also for the environment. I notice the texture, the taste, the shape and smell of each bite which is a pleasurable experience that I do not want to rush.
I do recognize that it takes training to eat mindfully and without distraction but it is truly worth it considering the health benefits it provides, not only physically but also mentally.

Eating more fruits and vegetables prevent me from constipation and other digestive problems. I also feel more energized as they are a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium. 
On a bigger scale, eating less meat benefits the planet as raising cows, pigs and chickens generate as much greenhouse gas emission as all automobiles combined (greanpeace, n.d). In addition, meat consumption increases the risk of serious disease such high blood pressure and certain cancers, which could be avoided by making a diet more rich in fibers through fruits and vegetables. 

I feel like I am making a contribution to a more sustainable world, or at a lower-scale, to my city, by using human-powered transportation instead of using a car, or jumping on a bus. The city I live in is already quite polluted and packed with traffic jams. With my bike, I go faster than buses and car, avoiding traffic, and saving money. It empowers me every time I reach destination to see that I actually do not need a car to circulate in my city. I am proud to use my bike as my main mean of transportation and I encourage my friends and family to do the same, reminding them that biking vs driving helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide pollution, which is the main cause of global warming. It also helps living in a more quiet city.