Savoring Our Connection to Life
“Not a lot of families sit down for dinner anymore because we’re all so busy. That ritual is so important. We should do anything we can to conserve it.”
Every day from 1 to 4 Italian families and friends come together for lunch — a gathering that is soon continued at dinner. “It’s a special thing that maintains families and communities together,” Chef Giancarla Bodoni says. “We have to give ourselves time to do that.”
I was reminded of this ritual heading into the holidays and couldn’t help but wonder…How might we feel if we gathered this intentionally more often?
“Not a lot of families sit down for dinner anymore because we’re all so busy. That ritual is so important. We should do anything we can to conserve it.”
A pioneer of the slow food movement, Giancarla is the Executive Chef at Monteverdi Tuscany. Nestled in the Italian hills, the sanctuary is a manifestation of the connections she nurtures in life; To the planet with sustainability, to the community with farm-to-table, to herself and loved ones through nourishment and breaking bread. She opened my eyes to how connected we are to everything around us — An invitation I’m eager to embrace this season.
This week, let’s appreciate our connections — To our food and the farmers who compassionately grew it. To nature and the bounty it unconditionally offers us. To our loved ones and the sacredness of our relationships. Presence inspires gratitude. It’s only through paying attention that we see the beauty in our lives.
In our conversation, we delve into savoring these connections and how slowing down has offered Giancarla a richer inner and outer life, all whilst continuing to innovate in her field. Admired for her craft, she shares her artistic lens on cooking and the importance of honoring our symbiotic relationship with nature.
What is a special source of connection in your life? How might you honor it today?
Wishing you a peaceful week,
Jenna