Responding to Reader's Question:

In a comment on a recent post zen-of-cooking asked whether there is one time of day that is better than another for practicing zen in the kitchen. My response would be that any time of day is a good time to practice zen-cuisine. Every moment we enter into the stillness of Awareness is the perfect moment for preparing food. 

 Zen-cuisine is about tending to how you are in the midst of whatever arises. It’s about responding with a balanced and constructive energy.  Practicing the art of zen-cuisine is appropriate any time at all.  Many conscious cooks try to prepare all meals they make with the intention to be mindful and aware of the positive life-force in the ingredients and in the manner in which the food is prepared.  Some people begin with one meal a day they devote to zen-cuisine.  If this idea interests you, it is best to plan to prepare a meal at the same time every day, to set a schedule and keep to it, rather than being guided by the whim of likes and dislikes.  If you only are willing to prepare nice food when you feel like it, you miss the opportunity of working with the many different states of mind and body that manifest in daily life. If you are consistent in your practice, you will learn much.  You practice zen-cuisine because it is time to practice zen-cuisine. You are no longer being driven by superficial motivations. Cooking becomes a meditation, a relaxation, a pleasure... Welcome to the art of practicing zen-cuisine.