Presentation

Presentation can make a difference in how much we enjoy eating something, and in turn, enhance our gratitude for it.

We have little fancy ice cream bowls, and it's funny how much nicer the treat is (and how "less is more" really applies) when we use them.

Even putting chips or other "junk" food in a small bowl can make them seem more special, and helps us to pay attention more while we're eating. It creates a barrier, or a restriction on us, to have to take the time to make the food presentable. Finding a nice dish, placing the food in an appetizing way, and then cleaning up after are all things we wouldn't have to do if we just grabbed a bag out of a cabinet and started munching.

But rather than see that barrier as a burden, look at is as a way to enhance the pleasure from the food, the same way adding seasoning to it would be. This is yet another way that thinking of pleasure as a good thing can increase gratitude and a healthier approach toward food.