Fruit salad, yummy, yummy. If you have kids around you recognize this tune from the television show “The Wiggles.”  It has an annoying but catchy tune that I sometimes get into my head and then can’t let go. Obviously that happened today which is part of why you are getting this tip!

Also, I absolutely LOVE to make, eat and share fruit salad and it’s the perfect time of year to bring out a big bowl and have some fun creating your own power packed mix of color, flavor and nutrition.

We all know fruit has incredible nutritious qualities such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. But that’s not the only benefit of playing with the side dish. The process of making this little delight is a great exercise in mindfulness!

So now that summer is unfolding it’s the perfect time to try these tips for getting the most out of incorporating fruit salad into your eating experiences this week.

Shop with awareness
Slow it down and enjoy picking the right fruits for you. At the store walk mindfully. Spend time feeling the food available through your senses of touch, smell and sight. 

Connect with the fruit at this starting point in the process.

Change it up
Get creative!

If you usually do a basic banana, strawberry, apple salad switch one of the fruits out and add something more exotic like pineapple, kiwi, mango and/or papaya. Get even more tropical by adding shredded coconut into the mix. Other ideas are to make an all berry salad, add almond slivers or a little cinnamon for a fresh flavor. 

Connect in the kitchen
As you prepare your salad make it the only thing you do. Put down the phone, quiet your space and immerse in the moment. Mindfully wash, prep and chop your fruit. Then gently toss it all together with clean hands to feel your creation. Put in a pretty bowl in gratitude to the earth for such bounty.

Enjoy eating exclusively
I know I preach this in most of my posts! That’s because it’s so important. Take the time and attention to savor your food. The world will be there when you get back from nourishing yourself so don’t worry. Drop everything for just the 10-15 minutes it takes to take in this vibrant treat as a snack, a dessert or as part of lunch or breakfast when paired with yogurt or cottage cheese and some granola or crackers.

I’d love to hear about what you make!

In health,
Julie

Julie Norman, nicknamed "The Body Image Guru" by clients, guides women to live authentically healthy lives through peaceful body image, intuitive eating and mindful movement. She blends professional nutrition guidance with the wisdom of yoga to help women transform the ways in which they care for and experience their bodies. She is the creator of Body Karma Healing, a yoga-based program intended to help women transform their body image from painful to peaceful. Julie believes healing individual body image pain helps us heal the world! Check out Julie's exclusive offer for MOMTL Members HERE.