Quotes by Mary DeTurris Poust, Cravings: A Catholic Wrestles with Food, Self-Image, and God

“We are always hungry and never satisfied because we dont trust and wont risk. Can we reach a place where we are satisfied with just enough? You are enough. You have enough. Do not worry about tomor...”

“When we infuse our actions with a focus on God and on the many blessings we receive in even the most mundane moments of our lives, we create sacred rituals that bring a sense of holiness, a sense o...”

“When we link our eating and our prayer and begin to see food as part of a much bigger picture, rather than the focal point of our entire lives, we reshape the way we think, the way we act, and the ...”

“Even if you cant be totally mindful at every meal, if you can say a blessing, silently if necessary, or offer up a prayer for someone, something beyond yourself and your food, the prayer helps to t...”

“Taken slowly, or mindfully, even eating an orange or a bowl of soup, or a small piece of dark chocolate for that matter, can take on the flavor or prayer.”

“By becoming aware of Gods Spirit, by slowing down and paying attention to the tastes and sounds and smells of the food we make and eat, we infuse our mealsand by extension our heartswith a sense of...”

“Food and eating often mask our pain, our inner longing for God, for acceptance. It is key to know our motivation for eating as well as for other actions. Why do I eat? Am I tired, am I bored, am I ...”

“We cling to the comfortable rather than step out into the possible.”

“Jesus tells us: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mk 12:31). How can we love our neighbor if we cant or wont love ourselves, at least a little? When we hold ourselves to unrealistic standards, that p...”

“Our culture tries to convince us on just about every front that more is better. More is a sign of wealth, luxury, power. Gone are the days when meals were moments of connection and conversation; no...”

“So often, even when we stop to say a blessing before a meal, were mentally preparing to spoon some pasta or potatoes onto our plates. Were not usually focused on the present moment, simply placing ...”

“prepare your food in keeping with monastic traditionssimple, basic, healthy, balanced.”

“Whether we are feasting or fasting or somewhere in between, food should have a sacred role in our lives. It can be something we sacrifice, something we savor, something we share, and through it all...”

“Only by emptying ourselves out before God will we find fullness within ourselves.”

“not every breakfast needs to be something worthy of posting to a food blog. Sometimes food is simply fuel, something we eat to live. But with TV ads and billboards and in-store displays saying othe...”

“How we prepare our food, how we consume our food really makes a difference in how our food satisfies us and shapes the role we give food in our lives. Is it something we stuff in to satisfy an urge...”

“We cant go from zero to sixty in a day or even a week when it comes to shifting our food-habit gears. We have to take baby steps, starting with an increasing awareness of our habits and a willingne...”

“yelling while eating was like swallowing anger. Its simply not good for us. It leaves us unhappy and unsatisfied, as if the meal didnt count or wasnt good, and an hour later were back looking for s...”

“Just as the Eucharist fuels our soul and our spirit, good healthful meals fuel our bodies for the work God calls each of us to do in his kingdom. Praying before we consume a meal or when we are fee...”

“Were hungry for acceptancefrom ourselves even more than from othersfor love, for fulfillment, for peace. Were hungry for a life we think we dont deserve or cant have, for the person we know we can ...”