We could eat cheese forever! But this French store won’t let us in for snacks in the middle of the night.
Here’s what I’ve recently noticed, especially upon my return to the United States, after several weeks in Europe. We have access to food almost 24 hours a day. Our kitchens don’t shut down on most nights. Many U.S. grocery stores are open all night long, or at least until midnight. Food is easy to find. There is also no ceremonial “end of supper” (the term my grandma used to use when we ate in the evening). It’s acceptable for us to eat a meal, and then transition straight into snacking. I’ve done it, and you probably have too. Unfortunately, this constant snacking is making us drowsy, overweight, and unfulfilled. The food particles sitting between your teeth can also lead to decay. I wonder if overnight grocery stores in the United States are leading to a culture that easily overindulges, and constantly snacks?
In many parts of Europe, you aren’t always guaranteed access to grocery stores on Sundays, or after a certain time at night. One time, I arrived in Valencia, Spain during siesta hour (when no stores were open). Then it was Sunday (no stores open), and then it was a holiday (no stores open). We were aching for fresh food by the 3rd day, but this was a good illustration of a location that didn’t allow us to keep eating and eating. When you go for a few hours between meals without excessive snacks, your body has time for internal cleansing, which leads to healthier organs, easier elimination, clearer skin, and more energy.
This week, think about what you can do to draw a clear line between each meal. Is there a ceremony you can put into place that lets you know that the meal is over? Sometimes I lightly brush my teeth right after I eat, and it keeps me from snacking for another few hours. Perhaps you need to turn off the lights in your kitchen and relocate to another room in the house. A midnight run to the grocery store for snacks isn’t going to support this idea.
© 2012 Ava Waits
Ava Waits is an inspirational speaker, business mentor, and forthcoming author.She believes that making money should feel like bliss, and through her work, she provides innovative business, money, and marketing guidance to entrepreneurial women worldwide.
Ava first used entrepreneurship to pull herself out of poverty, going from food stamps and the food bank line, to signing on over $17,000 worth of business in one month. She is passionately committed to helping other women release financial constriction, feel content with money, and live richer lives through entrepreneurship. Ava’s clients often receive surprise income, travel the world with their businesses, and start signing on new clients at their highest prices yet.
As a speaker, Ava has been interviewed on television, and has been invited around the country to inspire audiences at business events, women’s organizations, and financial companies. To connect with Ava, and to view article and video archives, please visit www.AvaWaits.com.
