Eating Like A Champion, Part III: Dinner

"If we consume three meals a day for 1825 days, that’s 5475 meals, which is 5475 opportunities to eat with awareness, to look deeply at what we consume and where it comes from. The power in this idea isn’t in looking at the big picture of 5475 meals, it’s looking at each meal individually."

Above are the words of my UBBT Coach and mentor, Master Tom Callos. He's asked (practically demanded) that as part of my training and education as a martial arts "master teacher" that I master my diet. With that, I present to you, my dinner from the other night.

July 25: Broiled salmon fillet topped with mango salsa, with a side of sauteed seasonal vegetables and saffron rice. (Accompanied by a glass of red wine.)

Now, the most wonderful thing about this meal was not in the eating of it. Not even close, although the meal was absolutely delicious! The most wonderful thing about this meal was in the preparing of it: cooking with my wife in our small kitchen — chopping the vegetables, cleaning the fish, boiling the water — all in wonderful anticipation of sharing the meal in the spirit of gratitude with family (including my mother that evening) and friends (Joy invited a neighbor over for dinner).

I'd never made mango salsa before. Never even thought to. But when I saw the picture in a magazine and realized how EASY it was to make, I just had to go for it. And now I have a new tool in my cooking toolbox.

My daughter picked out the wine (yes, she's only 4) a few weeks ago by choosing a bottle that looked "good" to her. She was right! And now I have a memory of how funny it was to walk the isles of the wine shop with my four year old, and letting her be our faux sommelier for the evening.

The zucchini and the squash came from the garden of a coworker. You can't get more organic or local then getting your veggies from someone you know, who grew the veggies in their own back yard with their own hands and loving care.

The rice? Well, that came from a box. Cut me some slack — I'm still learning!

May each meal be filled with such joy, adventure, and discovery!

Coach Tom goes on to say,

"Dietary self-defense is more of an issue to personal protection than is physical self-defense. There are 1825 days in 5 years. You will sit down to at least 5475 meals in those 5 years. The very next meal you eat is an opportunity to practice the art of living as a martial artist. After the next meal you will have 5474 more training sessions. This isn't a burden, it is a gift."

Thanks, Coach, for a gift I can really use — and share with anyone who cares to sit at the table with me.

Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
Boston