For me, eating a meal is more than suppling the body with sustenance. Specially when the meal is cooking by myself. I put time and love into it. To enjoy the dish is a kind of soul ritual for myself.
Conscious eating
Therefore, it's a matter of concern for me to make conscious wherefrom the foodstuff is coming which I processed carefully. Even when purchasing I pay attention to the quality of the ingredients already, and whether the animals were allowed to grow up peacefully and in mindfulness.
For special dishes, I decorate the edge of the plate with parsley. I am setting up the table nicely with serviette and a lovely coaster. From each ingredient I take a tiny piece aside before eating and say thanks to the animal that gave its life for this meat. I say thanks to the vegetable for their leaves, tubers or roots. By the trees and bushes for their seeds, fruits and spices. What I put aside, I sacrifice to nature and the spirits after the meal. For that my balcony flower box is serving. (The birds and ants like it, therefore I only put digestible ingredients outside.)
At last I say thanks to Mother Earth and the elements of fire, water, earth and air for the diversity they bring forth for each of us and with which they shape nature so wonderfully.
A marvelous enjoyment exercise with whom I make myself conscious every day how grateful I may be to be provided with the bare essentials every day.