Everywhere you look, someone has the newest or best way to eat. All of this information gets confusing and overwhelming. Eating becomes stressful rather than pleasurable.

Food is meant to fuel our bodies. Food is meant to be a pleasant and joyful experience. All too often we rob ourselves of this experience. Rushing through a meal in order to get to the next practice or event, eating in the car, or while on the computer also take our focus away from food.

Food is a part of many aspects of our lives. Food is a vital part of many traditions and social experiences. Cake on birthdays, ham on Easter, grilled hamburgers and brats for the 4th of July, and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving are all examples of food traditions. Food also is a very social experience. Food seems to taste better when surrounded by people. Take time to have conversations, to smell and to taste your food.

I challenge you to “Savor the flavor” of your next meal. Take a moment to enjoy the tradition of food, the social experience, and the great flavors.

How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods – that's the best way to savor the flavor of eating right!

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

(source www.hy-vee.com)
Serves 15 (1 each)

All you need:
15 medium fresh strawberries
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ c graham cracker crumbs
1 (6 oz) bar dark chocolate

All you do:
1.Slice off the stem end of each strawberry. Use a knife to scoop out a little bit of each berry to make a hole in the center. Set aside.
2.Beat together cream cheese and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth.
3.Using a small spoon, fill each strawberry with the cream cheese mixture, mounding a bit on the top of the strawberry.
4.Place strawberries on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Once all strawberries are filled, sprinkle cream cheese mixture with graham cracker crumbs.
5.In double boiler, melt chocolate chips until smooth. Gently dip the bottom of strawberries in chocolate mixture. Set on waxed paper to cool. Refrigerate berries until ready to serve. Best if served within six hours of making.