STOP! I need you to pause and take a breath. A big one. In. Out. Repeat that.
Right, now that we have slowed down and relaxed a little, I need you to ask yourself why you are reading this blog. Are you waiting for someone and passing time? Are you a bored passenger in a car? Are you doing a little research on how to live a healthier life? Either way, you are now reading these words because something, or someone, has drawn you in this direction and you feel compelled to keep on reading. Somewhere along the line, a few sequences of events and a little gut instinct later, you arrived here.
So now let’s fika! What is that? ‘Fika’ is often translated as ‘a coffee and cake break’, but really it is much more than that. Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude that is fixed into Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika every day. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea/ beverage) and a little something to eat. Fika is a ritual. Fika is a verb. Fika is enjoyed.
Let’s talk about your gut. I am going to put you on a stage again and ask you what you are eating or drinking while reading this. If the answer is nothing, then close your eyes and ask yourself: ‘what do I feel like?’ Is it a glass of water? Is it that amazing doughnut that smells so good, but you know you are not allowed it? Is it a cup of tea? Is it that green smoothie that not only looks good, but makes you feel so good inside and out?
Almost everything you eat is a conscious decision. Whether you are on a fasting diet, trying to detox, on a strict exercise regime, or just want to dig in and enjoy what’s on the table and be damned about the consequences— it’s all a decision. But how often do you truly listen to your gut? How healthy is your gut? When do you eat or drink something, not based on time of day or what you feel you should be eating, but rather just what your gut is asking for? If you believe your gut is healthy, then you should learn to trust it more.
This is also where fi-ka, our health food bar, can come in. We are here to make your gut healthy. We are here to help you make better and more mindful decisions. You might be lactose intolerant, vegan or even gluten intolerant— it doesn’t matter. Your gut needs health and we can help you make the right decisions to nourish that accurate and reliable gut instinct. To drive your day in the right direction, take that journey with us; take it with fi-ka. Slow down. Take the time. Reward and honour your self— it’s the one and only temple you have.