A good cook knows that it’s all about the ingredients. To ensure that your meal is sensational, make certain each ingredient is fresh. The best way to do this is to eat only foods that are growing in your area right now. If you buy something that isn’t growing near you, it’s likely to have withered a bit while withstanding travel over time and distance.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose track of nature’s seasonal ebb and flow. Eating the freshest fruits, vegetables, and fish of the season ensures that you’ll have the widest selection to choose from and increases your connection to mother earth and the natural rhythms beneath the sun, moon, and stars.

Looking to other cultures can give you cool cues for eating well too. For example, a beautiful Japanese custom is to serve each item in its own small dish. These dishes enhance the visual experience as well as encourage you to eat smaller portions. Each small entrée in unison becomes an ensemble of food with plenty of interest and variety to make dining delicious.

Turn off the tube. Step away from your desk. Give eating your undivided attention. Savor every bite. These strategies will help you tune in to your body’s sensations so you know when you’re full. There’s no reason to keep eating if your body says enough. In fact, yogis will tell you to stop eating even before you are full because a full belly makes you sluggish.

Sharing a meal or breaking bread is a timeless custom across all cultures. It’s a way to celebrate your food. Eating with others might also encourage you to relax and enjoy the full experience around you, which will also help you eat more slowly.

You don’t have to be a chef to be an artist in the kitchen. The food you prepare can engage all your senses—from the aroma across the room to the vibrant colors and playful textures. All these characteristics create a rich, satisfying experience no matter what you’re eating. If you’re the one in the kitchen, toss in some edible flowers, garnish with your favorite herbs, and try using plates in colors that complement your creation.

Life is often rushed. But eating slowing encourages you to take a time-out. Pause a moment before you eat to give thanks for the gift of food that lies before you. An attitude of gratitude helps you to enjoy each bite more. Plus, the more you chew, the more your teeth and salivary enzymes break down your food so your stomach doesn’t have to.