When the Body Speaks: Food, Travel & Living in Truth
As we deepen into who we truly are, everything begins to shift. Not just how we think or speak - but how we eat, how we move through the world, what we reach for, and what we no longer crave.
Food is one of those things we often don’t question until something within us begins to wake up.
Many grew up simply eating what was placed in front of them. It was a different time - when convenience often overruled nutrition, and dessert might have been more of a bribe than a celebration. Food was routine. It wasn’t yet seen as energy, as memory, as medicine.
But somewhere along the inner path - whether through healing, ceremony, illness, or quiet curiosity - the body begins to speak more clearly. Some foods that once felt fine begin to feel heavy. Some preparations, once familiar, now feel foreign. The desire to listen more deeply arises - not out of trend, but out of alignment.
For some, this may look like shifting to a plant-based diet. For others, it might mean releasing certain ingredients or rituals tied to food. The specifics don’t matter as much as the invitation itself: Can we begin to listen to our bodies as a form of self-love?
This shift often mirrors what’s happening within. As we release old emotional patterns or limiting beliefs, our relationship to nourishment - on every level - evolves too. Sometimes, the decision to stop eating animals or dairy isn’t loud or performative. It simply happens, like an inner yes that can’t be explained, only honored.
And when we travel, these changes come with us.
Food becomes more than sustenance. It becomes a bridge to culture, to ancestry, to the heart of a place. Tasting a traditional dish is no longer just about flavor - it’s a moment of connection, a glimpse into the land and the people who tend it. What grows here? What stories live in this recipe?
There’s something sacred about arriving without expectations. Letting go of what we think food should be opens the door to discovery. And even when dietary choices or sensitivities add complexity, the human spirit is resilient—and so is kindness. Again and again, strangers offer guidance, suggestions, and support. Even when language is a barrier, connection finds its way through.
Of course, not every encounter is smooth. Not everyone will understand your choices, and occasionally - like a passionate French chef who hurls colorful words in your direction - you might find yourself in an unexpected spotlight. But even those moments become part of the story, part of the learning, part of the humor that life so generously offers.
The deeper teaching?
Food reflects our beliefs - about nourishment, about worth, about how much space we’re allowed to take up. And just as importantly, it reminds us: we’re always evolving.
Some people may thrive on meat. Others might find their vitality in fruit, grains, and greens. Neither is wrong. What matters is that we get curious enough to ask, What is true for me now?
Travel reveals this beautifully. In one country, a food intolerance may feel overwhelming. In another, the same food might cause no reaction at all. It’s not just about the ingredients - it’s about systems, energies, histories. It’s about how everything is connected.
Food holds memory. It holds joy. It holds community. A warm drink offered on a rainy descent from a Peruvian mountain. A potato shared with laughter and muddy boots. A simple act that becomes unforgettable.
So let this not be about perfection or pressure. Let it be about listening.
Whether you're at your kitchen table or halfway across the world, ask yourself:
What feels good in my body? What supports my energy? What aligns with who I’m becoming?
The answers may surprise you.
Spirit will always meet you where you are. Your path may not look like anyone else's - but the pull you feel, that quiet nudge toward change, toward curiosity, toward honoring yourself more fully… that’s not random. That’s guidance. Trust it.
May your choices reflect the love you’re learning to live.
And may you always feel the support that surrounds you, in every bite, every step, every new discovery.
With love,
Susan
**image is from a market tour in Vietnam