'Potato chip meditation' tonight in Arlington Hts.

Om Johari uses potato chips to teach people not to overeat during the holiday season.

He also uses raisins, popcorn and grapes.

"First you pick up the raisin," said Johari, using the fruit as an example. "You have to be totally aware of it and nothing else. Think about the aroma and what it looks like. You have to free your thoughts."

Johari's eating meditation seminar is also called "potato chip meditation." It will take place tonight at the Arlington Heights Senior Center. Johari is an Elk Grove resident and volunteer who travels around the suburbs. A retired scientist, he holds a doctorate in electronics microscopy, and has turned his intellect to matters of relaxation and focus.

During the holidays, his eating meditation is a popular program and last year about 40 showed up at an Arlington Heights session, he said.

It's not really about the potato chip. It's about taking your time and tasting what you eat.

After a potato chip dissolves in a person's mouth, all that's left is "the taste of starch," Johari said.

"What we think is taste is really just salt and oil," he said. "Same with popcorn. You have to be aware of what you're eating. If you sit in front of the television and stuff popcorn in your mouth, you're not tasting it."

Once you learn to taste food slowly, you'll enjoy it more and eat smaller portions - a skill many people would like to master before their holiday parties and dinners begin.

The free program is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road in Arlington Heights. Johari will give another eating mediation seminar at the same time on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the center.