Cauliflower Salad Wraps (Vegan) + Intentional Eating Part 3 (Intentions)

Happy Friday, my friends! Today I have a cauliflower salad recipe for you that I’m completely obsessed with. It features roasted cauliflower with crunchy celery, bright herbs, sweet currants and a creamy dressing. The combination is revelatory—it’s like chicken salad but even better. You can serve it in wraps, sandwiches or over greens (or eat it straight from the fridge). Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about intentions, and how they can bring more focus and pleasure into the kitchen.

We’re in part 3 of my intentional eating series. In part 1, I explained how the practice transformed my relationship to cooking and eating from one of stress to one of deep self care. I also offered a simple daily practice of taking two deep breaths before cooking and eating. In part 2, I described how intentional eating differs from intuitive eating—while intuitive eating is trusting in your body’s inherent wisdom when it comes to what to eat and when to eat, intentional eating isn’t about what you’re eating or when, but how you’re eating. It’s cooking and eating with your full presence, regardless of what’s on your plate. I also share how engaging our senses can be another way to bring presence into the kitchen. 

Today I though we could talk about intentions. Miriam Webster defines the word intention as: 

• what one intends to do or bring about

• the object for which a prayer, mass or pious act is offered

• a determination to act in a certain way

Intentions have a spiritual essence that differentiates them from mere goals. They’re more about how one wants to be and feel, and less about what one wants to do. In other words, intentions are like guideposts, helping to direct (and redirect) our attention as we go about our activities. Our minds are problem solvers and love to have something ruminate over. However, when we let our minds rule, we get caught in an endless cycle of worries and expectations. Even if we’re focused on our senses, our thoughts will constantly pull us back in. Intentions give our minds something else to grasp onto. They’re like a healthy chew toy when the dog is tearing up the furniture. 

When I started setting intentions into the kitchen, something monumental shifted for me. Cooking transformed from being a necessity (or even a chore) into an act of self care. I was able to disconnect my mind from the worries that used to play like a broken record in the background of my thoughts and instead focus on how I wanted to feel in the moment. I found more ease in cooking, and since I was more present in the kitchen, I surprisingly became a better cook. 

A simple practice—setting intentions

This week, my invitation for you is to be more intentional in the kitchen. Continue taking deep breaths and engaging your senses, but perhaps you can also start setting intentions for how you want to be or feel as you cook your meals (including washing the dishes!). An intention can be as simple as, “I will be fully here now,” or something more specific, such as “I will look for beauty in the small moments.” It can be, “I will connect with my sense of touch,” “I will invite play,” or I will focus on the process, not the end result.” When your mind wanders (which it will!), gently bring it back to the intention (see more ideas below).

We can choose how cooking will look in our lives (as long as we have adequate resources and a safe space to cook). Perhaps this week you can find some of the sacredness that’s available when we cook and eat with intention.

More ideas for intentions:

• I will be fully here, now.

• I will listen to my body.

• I will look for the positive.

• I will connect to calm and clarity.

• I will listen.

• I will connect with my sense of touch.

• I will play.

• I will release all expectations.

• I will allow myself to adapt and change.

• I will allow my emotions.

• I will prioritize pleasure.

• I will make this moment sacred.

• I will focus on the process, not the end result.

• I will look for beauty in the small moments.

Cauliflower Salad Wraps (or Sandwiches)

When I first experimented with this recipe, my intention was “I will trust my instincts.”