>>5052
I once had a Japanese mother explain to me what exactly was meant by the phrase "itadakimasu".
She said it was the humble form of the verb "to receive". So you are first saying it to the host who is offering your food, like your host family. But it goes beyond that. You are also humbly receiving this food from the cook, and everyone else that helped to set the meal. You are humbly receiving the life of the animal you are eating as well. In fact, when you think about the interconnectedness of life, you are humbling receiving the meal from everyone and everything.
It works for me, and I say "itadakimasu" over my food before I eat and try to remember that feeling.