Feed your spirit - Vital signs: news and trends for your well-being - Brief Article

Food nourishes much more than our bodies, says nutrition consultant Hale Sofia Schatz. "The simple, daily act of eating has the potential to become a profound catalyst for spiritual growth, from experiencing a renewed sense of vitality and purpose in life to discovering our true vocations and making deeper connections in all our relationships," says Schatz, author of If the Buddha Came to Dinner, out this month.

To make eating more satisfying, Schatz suggests utilizing a greater variety of flavors and cutting back on salty foods and sweet treats. "Traditional Chinese medicine identifies five taste categories and recommends a balance of these flavors each day for optimum health," she says. Introducing sour, bitter and spicy foods will "free you from the salt and sugar pendulum."

* Tame sweet with bitter. "Dark-green vegetables like kale, watercress and arugula have cleansing properties that cut sweet cravings."

* Snack on sour. Fruits like Granny Smith apples and grapefruit "act as astringents and help cut down on excessive cravings. Hot or tepid lemon water will ease the need for sweets."

* Warm up with spicy. Cayenne and garlic help boost circulation. Tender types can "use the milder flavors of cinnamon, fennel and sweet onions."