Feeding the Body Nourishing the Soul: Essentials of Eating for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being

The author, a nutritional anthropologist, argues that modern living has broken our links with the spiritual nature of food. She brings together ancient food wisdom from around the world, examines how eating disorders are linked to spiritual disconnection, and draws on the insights of almost 50 spiritual teachers and scientists to forge a healthier, more conscious relationship to food.

It's not what you eat, but how you eat, according to nutritionist Deborah Kesten. By exploring the food rituals of numerous cultures, Kesten reveals how food feeds the spirit as well as the flesh. We learn that in order to make soul food, one must learn the art of cooking from feel. Like creating great jazz, African American soul food comes from the depths of wisdom as well as the ability to playfully improvise. The Buddhist monks model the mechanics of mindful eating. And sacred fasting is best illustrated by the Native American vision quest. In the second half of the book, Kesten delves into useful advice on eating disorders, food-mood connections, and specific how-tos of enlightened eating. --Gail Hudson