Mindfulness With Marisel
Can you describe your experience as a holistic behavior researcher and your connection with mindfulness?
I’ve been doing research in the psychology field for the past few years. During this time, I’ve learned about mindfulness as part of the graduate school curriculum. Studying and learning about mindfulness and meditation in mental health became my mission. This mission is filled with a lot of passion for human behavior. After this I decided to do a Vipassana retreat (a 10-day silent retreat) This was my first experience learning meditation and mindfulness in person and not from the books. I feel a great connection with mindfulness because of my experience during the vipassana retreat and for the benefits I have gained since I started learning and practicing mindfulness.
Any advice for those who want to practice mindfulness in their lives?
My advice is to really enjoy life. We need to be more present. If you want to live a fulfilled life by being more connected with yourself and with those around you, try practicing mindfulness. It can help reduce chatter in the mind because you are concentrated in the specific moment. It can be hard at the beginning but it’s in daily practice where you’ll see and feel the benefits. Start small like being more present at the time you are drinking your morning coffee, or when you’re sharing a meal with someone. You’ll start noticing things that you usually don’t notice.
What is your favorite way to practice daily mindfulness?
My favorite way is when I drink my morning coffee. I sit in silence with my warm cup in hand and experience every sense. I have been doing this for years and for me is part of my morning ritual, for me is the best way to start my day.
What’s your advice to those who wish to develop a mindful relationship with food?
A relationship with food is not about diets but about being more mindful about what you choose to eat. That you eat foods you like. Don’t pressure yourself. Listen to your body. Only eat when you feel hungry. Eat without distractions. Leave the electronics out of this time and engage with your senses. The texture, flavor, temperature and smell. Above all, appreciate your food and be grateful for it.
Chamomile Hot Chocolate
Try these mindful tips from Marisel while making this chamomile hot chocolate.
Focusing on Your Senses
Try to drink your coffee/tea in silence without any electronics.
Close your eyes. Feel the temperature of the cup on your hands.
Bring all your awareness to the feeling on your hands and the sensations. Now move your awareness to the smell. How you feel with the smell.
Next, drink your coffee/tea and feel the temperature in your mouth, the texture and the flavor.
Sit still with your eyes close being there in the present moment with all your awareness in all the sensations and feelings that you are having.
Chamomile Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- medium pan
- 3" Fine Single Mesh Strainer
- wooden spoon
- serving mug
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp orange zest tea
loose tea - 2 tbsp cocoa
- 2 tbsp honey
raw - 4 bags chamomile tea
Instructions
- Put oat milk, water, orange zest tea, cocoa, and raw honey into pot on stove. Bring to a boil.
- Add tea bags and put on low heat for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let everything steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain tea from pot into a cup.
- Froth drink to add creamy texture.
- Add additional honey if desired, and dust top with cocoa powder.