I have many reasons for why I do this, but I'm curious if we're not alone in this.  I am married and have two kids.  We eat in the living room.  My wife and I sit on the couch and my kids (11 and 8 years old), sit at a small table in front of the couch, sitting on two small chairs.  I would like to get a bigger table set up that is high enough for them, but low enough for living room.  The one we have is a good height now, it's just not big enough to set too much food on it.  So we all get our plate ready in the kitchen and come sit down.

I used to do it because I wanted to watch TV while eating.  And it was more relaxing this way.  Now, we actually don't watch TV while eating, but I still would rather be "reclining at table". (Biblical reference, I counted more than a dozen references in the book of Luke to this way of eating, that is Jesus and his disciples.)

I have no clue if there is some science behind this, if it's a good thing or bad thing.  I just know I'm super skinny, I have hard chairs at the dining room table that hurt my rear, and I'm just not comfortable in there.  And I like to be comfy while eating.  Now, I will admit, you do have to be somewhat good at putting a plate in your lap and cutting meat with it.  It's not the optimal position to be in when have to use both hands.  But when you're eating a stew or one bowl meal, it's awesome.  Bowl in one hand, utensil in the other.  Eat away.  But I do use my lap a lot.

Anyone else do something a little different than your average dining room table?  Anyone find this strange that I like to eat this way?  Etc etc.  

Just curious and I'm interested to know how others eat.  Standing?  Sitting at a bar?  Etc.  Etc.  All thoughts and ideas are welcome and thank you.

Sometimes we eat in front of the TV, and I often eat by the computer when I'm home alone. But usually we eat at the kitchen table (which was originally a dining room table, but we don't have a dining room so it goes in our kitchen.)

I suggest getting some cushions for your dining room chairs so they're more comfy. Or maybe even new chairs. This way you have the option of eating in there, even if you decide to eat in the living room sometimes (or most times) too.

I can't even remember the last time I ate in a kitchen or dining room.  I eat at my desk (in my bedroom) probably out of habit from having eaten at my desk a lot during college, but I hate chairs so I often just eat sitting on the floor; I find it to be a lot more comfortable.  I like to be relaxed when I eat, and I can't relax when I'm in a chair for some reason.

Well we are a family of four and I can't remember the last time we sat down and ate together... Everyone eats at different times...my kids will usually eat in front of the tv or my eldest who is 20 will take a plate to his bedroom lol my husband works long hours so he eats at work .. As for me, I sit at the dining table and eat ...always with my iPad (-having breakfast now as I type this  ) or with a magazine to read. So yes, most families don't eat regular hours or places these days. When I was a kid, we all had to wait till my dad got home from work at 2 pm to sit down and eat together in a dining room....not these days!

Quoted from BTypeAUS

Well we are a family of four and I can't remember the last time we sat down and ate together... Everyone eats at different times...my kids will usually eat in front of the tv or my eldest who is 20 will take a plate to his bedroom lol my husband works long hours so he eats at work .. As for me, I sit at the dining table and eat ...always with my iPad (-having breakfast now as I type this  ) or with a magazine to read. So yes, most families don't eat regular hours or places these days. When I was a kid, we all had to wait till my dad got home from work at 2 pm to sit down and eat together in a dining room....not these days!

We always ate together after Dad got home (all 8 of us at the ding room table) so I can relate Aus... When our 2 were little kids, we always ate at the dining table until they were teenagers...These days (just me & DH) we eat in front of the tv on recliners & always use "splayds" so cutting meat is no problem on our laps...
If I am not interested in the programme = usually news at tea time (CNN lots of market/stock/investment talk - which I keep up with a bit, but not to the extent that DH does) I come back up to the computer & eat at my desk...

Splayed, I like that.  Now that would be comfy.  We're thinking about getting two chairs like that, because we might be moving and we know the set up of the new place.  And they would go nice in there.  Splayed.  Yeah, that's good.

so funny...

i haven't eaten regular meals at a proper dining table in YEARS.
(special events i do, like thanksgiving, etc but not regular day to day stuff)

i eat breakfast standing up by the counter in my kitchen

lunch is usually at my computer (working lunch!)

dinner is where ever... sometimes in my office, sometimes standing at the kitchen counter, sometimes in the living room. Depends on how i feel that day.

Quoted from Possum

We always ate together after Dad got home (all 8 of us at the ding room table) so I can relate Aus... When our 2 were little kids, we always ate at the dining table until they were teenagers...These days (just me & DH) we eat in front of the tv on recliners & always use "splayds" so cutting meat is no problem on our laps...

What is "splayds'? Is it tray?  

Quoted from JJR

Splayed, I like that.  Now that would be comfy.  We're thinking about getting two chairs like that, because we might be moving and we know the set up of the new place.  And they would go nice in there.  Splayed.  Yeah, that's good.

splayds were/are a brand name for a utensil in Aus (talking 30+ years ago) that are a combo of a fork & a spoon with a straight edge that could also cut (I have another brand that are called "sporks" Makes sense eh?) They were/are mostly all we ever use unless eating steak or soup/dessert So much so that my kids did not know what normal cutlery was - to the amusement of their kindergarten & also much to our embarrassment when "eating civilised" at our (then) Pastor's house...
The recliner chairs are great too btw as the plates don't slide off our laps

http://www.yourhomedepot.com.au/brands/splayds/
There's even a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Splayds/13678353012

I generally eat at the dining table, but I have a pad on the chair.  Sometimes I think I might need two pads, though.

My computer sits off to the side of my place on the table, however, since I use the table for my desk, as well.

I sometimes sit on a folding chair or on the floor in the living room if I want to watch TV or a movie during the meal.  I know, for optimum digestion you shouldn't watch or read while eating...  Another habit I should work on, I suppose.

Quoted from ABJoe

I know, for optimum digestion you shouldn't watch or read while eating...

Actually imo it is probably just as good to eat leisurely while reading etc than rush your meal 'cos you have to get back to something you were doing/need to get done...
& eating at a table while talking/laughing can be just as much as a digestion hazard (think choking)
& thinking of all extremes here - I imagine the stress of being forced to eat with others who you don't get on with etc could be very hard on digestion...

Quoted from Possum

Actually imo it is probably just as good to eat leisurely while reading etc than rush your meal 'cos you have to get back to something you were doing/need to get done...

I agree.  Sometimes I read while I eat simply for the purpose of making sure I eat slowly.

Quoted from Possum

Actually imo it is probably just as good to eat leisurely while reading etc than rush your meal 'cos you have to get back to something you were doing/need to get done...
& eating at a table while talking/laughing can be just as much as a digestion hazard (think choking)
& thinking of all extremes here - I imagine the stress of being forced to eat with others who you don't get on with etc could be very hard on digestion...

#1 & #3 - I can definitely agree with.   

#2 is more of a LIFE hazard...   

Glad it is isn't #3 that is the life hazard

Quoted from Possum

Glad it is isn't #3 that is the life hazard

I've never been in that dire a situation, yet.   

Possum, invest in an iPad, they are great for mindless munching lol

Oh I might one day - in the meantime it at least means I get more exercise running up & down the stairs...

Quoted from Possum

splayds were/are a brand name for a utensil in Aus (talking 30+ years ago) that are a combo of a fork & a spoon with a straight edge that could also cut (I have another brand that are called "sporks" Makes sense eh?) They were/are mostly all we ever use unless eating steak or soup/dessert So much so that my kids did not know what normal cutlery was - to the amusement of their kindergarten & also much to our embarrassment when "eating civilised" at our (then) Pastor's house...
The recliner chairs are great too btw as the plates don't slide off our laps

http://www.yourhomedepot.com.au/brands/splayds/
There's even a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Splayds/13678353012

Wow, that went right over my head.  I thought you were referring to the position you're in while reclining.  Splayed out.  I might have to try some of these out!!!!  The edge is a knife?

I thought this thread would be a one liner.. then I realized that I eat in my recliner.. haha

I would like to eat at a table with friends or fam to do it nicely using my dishes and glasses, napkins and all else..

...can not take kids who never learned to eat properly.. looks sloppy, and looks like like no one cares, but in some instances no one knows how to eat with fork and knife, and then maybe it does take time to teach so it becomes one hand eating, and then add some religious taboo and then the whole world gets into on uproar.. Funny thread..

I can not eat standing in the kitchen but have no issue eating while shopping..

I keep my dining room table clean so it looks nice and not full of clutter.. I put the work papers in a big box and hide them in my office where I never sit.. I don't like that room... maybe I ought to go in there to eat? might cut down on willingness to do it (often)?

ANOTHER question:  how empty is your freezer? mine has mostly bottles of frozen water.. BTD does not make for much frozen stuff.. the water keeps the fridge part cool..saving electricity..

  

First let me say that I'm not making a judgment on where any of you choose to eat your meals.

If I'm home alone, I often take my plate to the sofa and sit in front of the TV eating snacks and meals simply because I find the TV to be company.  I've eaten lunch while talking on the phone,
reading a book, paying my bills...Doing two things at once...I rarely remember or noticed that
I was eating at all.

Do any of you think it's a total distraction when we focus our attention simultaneously?   Should all of our senses be focused on doing just one thing at a time?  Is the way we eat  a metaphor
for how we do everything? Multi tasking?

I just want to throw the thought out there and ask whether any of you would want to experiment and share what it feels like to actually take a plate of food into the kitchen...sit at a table and do nothing at all but focus on that meal.....Eat with complete awareness and do nothing else but
eat....Smell the food first...Visually appreciate the colors and textures of the food.  Put
a bite into your mouth and savor the moment...Chew many times slowly....notice the experience.
Is it annoying or is it actually pleasurable?  Because food should be pleasurable...and often it's
not...It's just food and mindlessly  being consumed.

The goal of any great chef preparing food for patrons of his restaurant would be that they
ate at a table in a dining room and had courses of food that were being greatly anticipated...Time
between courses to talk and digest the food...Perhaps wine...conversation...Joy?  The chef would have made his meal with loving care and would expect his diners to appreciate every nuance put forth into creating this wonderful meal.

The Buddhists place great value on being mindful....which translates into every moment of a person's life..from stopping to notice surroundings to being acutely aware of what thoughts are
being projected from our inner being.

How can we possibly know ourselves or what we're capable of becoming if we're so unaware of
a simple meal....distracting ourselves constantly, yet eating without bothering to focus on enjoying what's filling our mouths, being chewed and swallowed... with the the intention of
nourishing our bodies....and our souls.  I know you all know the concept of soul food.

Are we all paying way too little attention to the food that is supposed to be nourishing us?
Helping to heal us?

I honestly believe self love comes from allowing ourselves to enjoy the moment we're in....
and that, I think should include being mindful of eating our meals -- by giving that experience
our full awareness.. and without judgement or criticism.

I'm ready to have lunch and am going to try and see how it feels to eat slowly at my kitchen
table, even though home alone today...not going to turn on the TV or even open the newspaper
to read it.  Want to spend the entire time just eating.

Will get back and share my experience later.

Quoted from Chloe

I've eaten lunch while talking on the phone,
reading a book, paying my bills...Doing two things at once...I rarely remember or noticed that I was eating at all.

Do any of you think it's a total distraction when we focus our attention simultaneously?   Should all of our senses be focused on doing just one thing at a time?  Is the way we eat  a metaphor for how we do everything? Multi tasking?

Yes it probably is... & that just reminded me, talking of multi tasking - there was a call I went to answer, putting my salad down as I did, (was too difficult to eat that while on phone) Then I took a step backward from phone & promptly sat on my plate when call had finished...

I generally eat at my breakfast bar.  In the evening, I usually have one of my laptops, the Boston Globe puzzles and the TV on.  Don't know if that's multi-tasking or ADD.  Chloe's right that we should be more mindful of each bite of the food we are consuming but when you live alone, the TV is often company and the puzzles (crossward, Sudoku and KenKen usually) are my relaxation after coming home from work.  
I tend to eat fast and having all these things going on does slow me down a bit.

Quoted from Goldie

...can not take kids who never learned to eat properly.. looks sloppy, and looks like like no one cares, but in some instances no one knows how to eat with fork and knife, and then maybe it does take time to teach so it becomes one hand eating, and then add some religious taboo and then the whole world gets into on uproar.. Funny thread..

It wasn't a case of not caring - we just never ate that type of food & hadn't done when I was growing up...I probably would have grown up not using a knife & fork myself, except splayds were not invented back then...Before knives & forks were invented we obviously didn't use them to eat so that time may cone again you know Think of the washing up we'd save?!

Breakfast at the breakfast bar, by myself.

Dinner at the kitchen table with husband and son.

Sunday dinner at the dining room table usually with more than family.  

Lunch at my desk or at home at kitchen table or breakfast bar.

No eating at my house in the living room or in the bedroom.  I hate crumbs.

Looks like a great tool for eating. I have adopted eating the Filipino way - a fork and large soup spoon. I cut with the edge of the spoon and scoop things in with the fork when need be. This device would be great for someone with limited space. ie - trailer, cottage etc...This will be in my Christmas stocking stuffers next year for a few people!
I hope that they ship anywhere or that I can find them in Canada! Thanks for the links!

Experiment...the result of eating my lunch mindfully today.

Took my lunch right to the table and cleared away any reading material.  It was just me, a plate
of food, my fork and knife.

First thing I felt was a sense of anxiety.  No distractions.  Only thing to look at was my plate. I took
a deep breath. Cut up my slices of turkey....picked up a forkful and put it into my mouth. Said to
myself "this forkful is rather large".  Now see, normally, this would be my forkful portion size...
but if I'm mindlessly eating, do I perhaps just want to make this a quick process? And by
cutting my food into big mouthful portions, can I get eating over with faster? So what was now
in my mouth was a bit more than felt comfortable.  I noticed I was chewing a LOT...more than usual.
Do I often swallow food whole without chewing?  I'm thinking the answer is "YES".

I cut my next piece of turkey into a smaller portion.  Felt more comfortable in my mouth.  Chewed
it about 20 times.  WIthout much to do but focus on eating....I started counting how many times
I was chewing. I looked out the window...looked around my kitchen.  I sort of felt myself feeling
a bit lost....aimlessly wanting something else to do while I ate.  The feeling was clearly uncomfortable.

Looked at the carrots on my plate....Decided after I tasted them that they needed more
salt.  Perhaps if I were mindlessly eating, the salt would have gone unnoticed.  Got up, got some
sea salt...and then decided ghee might be nice on those carrots.  Went back and got ghee...and
then YUM, those carrots were super delicious.  Sweet, warm, carrot-y, salty, ghee-y and yummy.
I said to myself "really good carrots....I didn't know how much I liked carrots"

Next onto the broccoli sitting on my plate....didn't look all that appealing.  Decided to get up,
throw it into a frying pan, add some EVOO and fresh garlic and saute it a bit.  Put it back on my
plate. Now the aroma of garlic permeated the room.  Yes, I wanted and needed for my broccoli
to taste really good.  And it did.  Normally I was eating broccoli steamed...maybe drizzling a little
EVOO on top....for its health benefits...but today, each bite tasted so different...so much more
appealing.

Back to the turkey, then the carrots and to the broccoli, back and forth..chewing slowly...reminding
myself how much I love the taste of ghee on everything...By now, my food experience was winding
down.  Took about 14 minutes from start to finish.  Probably could have slowed it down a bit...
I did feel the urge to do something other than eat.

The entire experience was eye opening.  I walked away from eating and grabbed two dark chocolate
almonds for dessert....and wondered if I should have eaten those almonds at the table and not
on the way out the kitchen....because I wondered what the experience might have been like had
I savored the end of my meal as well.  I wanted to eat more chocolate covered almonds because
I can't say that I remembered eating them...or telling myself I was enjoying them WHEN I was
eating them.

Interesting....but this experience did come with some anxiety.....I'm trying to process what that was about...
Why would anyone feel anxious if doing nothing but eating?  Did this go back to childhood?  I
do remember not being a great eater....(perhaps my mother wasn't the world's greatest cook) or
perhaps she tried to make me eat food I didn't like or want to eat....and perhaps leaving the dinner
table was a way to escape that feeling of stress.

Dunno...just think everyone should try this once....and if you do, please share what it felt like.

I will try and have lunch mindfully.  Not sure I can do this every meal....but it was certainly an
experience I will remember

Hope so too Dianne...& you're welcome Maybe I should start a franchise or exporting business?? lol

Chloe, those are great points and I agree with them all totally.  Except the fact that you can achieve that same focus, not in the American traditional dining room and table.  That's why I've decided to turn the TV off.  Because I was more focused on my food that way.  But I far prefer being in a more lounged position than sitting upright in a chair that makes my rear end hurt after 3 minutes.  Just no meat on the bones to cushion right now.  And any cushion we tried has had buttons or something on it that is uncomfortable also.  So I sit on my couch, try to focus on my chewing and how everything tastes, and enjoy it.   We do have a little bit of conversation, but I'm usually trying not to say too much.  I know that chewing well has helped me a lot.

JJR....based on the myriad of situations people face in life all the way to the diversity of how various cultures throughout the world go through their own ritual of eating... people obviously assume many different positions while they eat...From sitting on the ground with legs crossed to sitting at a dinner
table and I'm sure there is a huge variety of cultural customs... As long as it's a mindful eating experience....doesn't matter what it is, as long as it feels comfortable and correct for an individual.

Sounds like what you're doing is just perfectly suited for you!

My last post was about your first post.  This post is about your after dinner experience.  I totally relate to the anxiety while eating.  I was talking to my Mom and I had been having anxiety over eating large portions.  Because in the past, when I started having gut problems, if I ate too much, I felt awful.  Now, things seem to be working better and I'm having to understand and realize how much really should I be eating.  I saw on one of those food combining diagrams that if you cup your hands, that's acceptable.  Well, for a long time my portions at one time weren't anywhere near that.  Unless it was a salad.  But lettuce is so much space in there.  So now I'm much more likely to eat that kind of serving at once.  And it feels right.  I might have even gone over that at times and am fine.  

Yeah, chewing is a really good thing.  And it's really hard to do, unless you are focusing.  I'm catching myself every meal saying, chew more, chew more.  Because I know it will help the digestive process.  I think because I'm a taster, I've been enjoying the flavor of foods for a while now and seem to focus on it a great deal.  Because I'm interested in cooking and what spices and flavors are good together, etc. etc.

This is interesting.

Scroll down and notice the part that says Your mouth and the ANS

http://breathing.com/articles/autonomic-nervous-system.htm

Wonderful article, Chloe.  I'm very glad you posted it.  I'll probably have to read it several times to absorb all of the information.

Quoted from ABJoe

Wonderful article, Chloe.  I'm very glad you posted it.  I'll probably have to read it several times to absorb all of the information.

yeah thanks - me too... Best not to skim read I found - I am having trouble with reading particular words too fast, in certain headings...namely:
VAGUS and PHRENIC NERVES... YOUR MOUTH AND THE ANS...

Interesting fact....so far this thread has had 12 different people responding:
AB- 2 x people
A  - 2 x people
B  - 2 x people
O - 6 x people plus me!

I did read somewhere in one of Dr.D's books that bloodgroup O really need to make an effort to SIT DOWN for meals- yeah I am also guilty   I like eating on a laptray in front of the TV or with a book or the computer...or in the car (bananas)

I am aware every time I do it and feel ever so slightly guilty, sometimes enough to do it properly
sitting down. I also catch myself bolting food.
I have to really 'make an effort' to take three breaths before eating, but when I do....I do enjoy the food more.
The sentiment 'better eat in peace in front of TV than uptight on table' would also be my motto and I hope that me being aware of when I do it lessens the 'badness' of doing it 'wrong'.

So I will add to my 2012 intentions...eat less sugar....eat less salt...while SITTING DOWN, RELAXED.  

I make myself sit at the table.

Well strangely enough, since I started this thread, my family has started eating dinner at the table.   Lunch too a lot.  I've been using my wife's office chair, which is comfy.  I can recline a little and be comfortable.  We need to buy a comfy chair for the table and I'll be good to go.

Growing up my family always ate at a table and we always had some conversation going (mother, father and three daughters).  After I was married my husband and I continued this tradition since he also liked it.  We have one daughter and two sons.  Even when we had a toddler in a high chair we would pull the high chair up to the table regardless whether she/he had already had a meal.  We always talked a lot during meals.

Now, the two of us sit at the table for supper and talk.  Always there is music in the background on the radio.  To me, it is very peaceful and sweet.

As for breakfast, I eat that at the kitchen counter.  We each get our own breakfast and lunch.  We eat lunch out when we feel like it.  As you can tell, we are retired.  

There is something very precious in eating together as a family, whether in the living room or in the dining room.

I have not read the article yet, but I oftenstand at the kitchen bar/counter to eat, particularly breakfast or lunch.  I hate to waste the time sitting.  I also have a problem with my throat closing and food becoming stuck if I don't mindfully relax and take my time eating.  I cannot eat when stressed.  Evening meals with DH are seated at a table, but we like to eat in front of the TV.

Quoted from NewHampshireGirl

There is something very precious in eating together as a family, whether in the living room or in the dining room.

Not just as a family, either.  I've realized since starting the BTD that eating together is a powerful way to build social bonds.  I can't do it often because of dietary restrictions so I miss it a lot.  I didn't realize how important it was until it was mostly gone.

I think even if you don't have a family to eat with eating at a table and consecrating a space makes the meal special.  

Quoted from TJ

Not just as a family, either.  I've realized since starting the BTD that eating together is a powerful way to build social bonds.  I can't do it often because of dietary restrictions so I miss it a lot.  I didn't realize how important it was until it was mostly gone.

I agree about the social bonds.  I may not be the best cook in the world but that never stopped me from inviting people for dinner.  The comaraderie of dining, laughing, talking and sharing is just the best in the world.

So well put, NHG!  I agree.  SInce I live alone, I eat most of my meals at my breakfast bar but when my children are at the house or if I have company, we eat at the dining room table or in the summer at the table on the deck.  In my previous house, we had a kitchen table and that's where we ate most of the time.  The DR table was mainly for company or holiday celebrations.

So much communicating is done on-line and so many people have lost the ability to communicate one on one.  It's really a shame.

When I watch TV while eating. It gives me a positive mood.
And when that happens your brain also gives a positive reaction on food.

When I have a bad mood while eating food does not taste great for me.

When I `m in good mood, food taste good for me and has a positive ambience.

Quoted from Marc121

When I watch TV while eating. It gives me a positive mood.
And when that happens your brain also gives a positive reaction on food.

When I have a bad mood while eating food does not taste great for me.

When I `m in good mood, food taste good for me and has a positive ambience.

Very observant of you, Marc.  

Quoted from Jane

So well put, NHG!  I agree.  SInce I live alone, I eat most of my meals at my breakfast bar but when my children are at the house or if I have company, we eat at the dining room table or in the summer at the table on the deck.  In my previous house, we had a kitchen table and that's where we ate most of the time.  The DR table was mainly for company or holiday celebrations.

So much communicating is done on-line and so many people have lost the ability to communicate one on one.  It's really a shame.

Those endorphins really rise when people talk and laugh together.!!!  Really good for the health and soul.