Thursday, August 7, 2014

On Food And Foodies


I don't usually do a lot of reposts, unless it's done as a compilation of recipes that I feel might be appropriate around a holiday or a special occasion. But, because I've had so much going on in my world over the last couple of weeks, I decided to do one. Not just because I could put it together more quickly than a recipe post, but because I feel as though it's still relevant today. It's not even a post that was originally shared here. It's one that I did some time ago on my other blog, Spilled On The Kitchen Table.

Now, it isn't a recipe post. And yes, I do know that with all of the giveaway commotion around here lately, it's been an awfully long time since I've posted one of those. But, this post is about food. Food as a passion... food from the perspective of more than just the physical nourishment it provides.

That being said, I do have several recipe posts in the works at the moment, so I promise that you'll be seeing some full on color food photos and recipes on these pages again, soon.

(Those of you who follow my other blog might find this redundant and I apologize for that, but I felt like the feelings and thoughts that I expressed back then, still hold true to this day. I will be leaving out the original first paragraph, simply because it was about the weather we were experiencing at the time it was posted and that was at a different time of the year, entirely.)

So here we go... again.

Google Images
Earlier this morning, I was looking at some of the "discussion" posts on a LinkedIn group that I belong to and someone had asked the question: "Do you consider yourself a foodie?" (It's a group for foodies, of course) So, I took a gander at a few of the replies and it got me thinking about my own obsession with food and why so much of my life is centered around it. Let's see....

I love going out for dinner.

And lunch.

And breakfast.

And dessert.

I cook.

A lot.

I host (and cook for) the majority of my family's holiday celebrations and special occasions.

I collect cookbooks.

And I read them like most people read novels.

I have cupboards and drawers and shelves and boxes, filled with pots, pans, utensils, gadgets, table linens, dishes and serving pieces.

I get more excited about grocery shopping, than I do about clothes or shoe or chotchki shopping. (and I really love to shop for clothes and shoes and chotchkies)

I talk (a lot) about food.

My food board on Pinterest has 10 times more pins than any other 10 boards, combined.

I blog about food.

Hmmmm...


This is what my kitchen looks like when I'm working on a new recipe. It might be a bit chaotic at times, but it works for me.
So. How long has food been an obsession a passion for me?

Well... there was a time in my life when I had plans to become a professional chef. I was 16 years old and a junior in high school; and like most teenagers, I was absolutely, positively and unequivocally sure, that I had it all figured out. My parents were behind the idea 100%... for about a minute. Then, (insert sounds of screeching breaks) common sense (aka fear) took over and they decided that life as a "cook" was not at all what they'd envisioned for their little girl. Nope. Not. Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, N.O. (insert visual of a deflating balloon) But....


Google Images
Life went on. Time went by. I finished school, started a career, got married and had babies. (not necessarily all in that particular order) But these were all things that my parents had envisioned for me. And I suppose that I'd always envisioned them for myself.

All in all, it's been a damned good life, so far. Of course, there have been difficult times, too. Roads to cross. Tough decisions to make. Tears have been shed. Many tears. But, that is what life is. For all of us. We all experience the same duality in our lives. Good and not so good. (I don't really care for the "b" word) Positive and negative. Yin and yang.

And... there have been people sharing this journey with me. Good people, who've brought light into my darkest days, comfort when there's been pain, strength to a fearful heart and hope to a grieving soul. Loving people who have fed and in turn, also nourished my spirit. And isn't that the kind of food that matters most of all?

So, yeah... I'm most definitely a foodie.

How about you?





You Can Have New Posts From Go Ahead Take A Bite Delivered Right To Your Inbox! Just Enter Your Email Address Here:


Delivered by FeedBurner
We will never send any advertising or provide your email address to any other blogs or businesses.

Don't forget that you can print this (or any) recipe using the "Print Friendly" button at the foot of each post. It's a great little feature that allows you to remove any pictures (or any text that isn't relevant to the recipe) before printing. That can save on ink and paper & in today's economy, who doesn't want to save a little cash when you can?!



4 comments:

  1. I never seriously dreamed of being a chef, but I am convinced that cooking is how I demonstrate love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thoroughly agree with you on that point, Liza. The food I prepare definitely comes from a place of love. From the time that I began cooking for other people, I've experienced a great deal of satisfaction and a profound sense of happiness watching them eating and especially enjoying the food I've prepared specifically for them. :)

      Delete
  2. Hi, Mary! I took the little test, and while I'm not a foodie, I can certainly appreciate all that defines one. I'm one of those people who will eat whatever is there just to settle my growling stomach. I rarely go out to eat, and when I do I'm usually not very picky about where to to unless I have a specific taste for something. I have tons of recipe books, but mostly for the pictures...I rarely actually cook from them. Now, having said all of that...When I see someone who enjoys food to the utmost, it makes me so joyful!!! While the brakes may have been put on your teenage dreams of becoming a professional chef, you have still brought culinary joy to many through your blog and, I'm sure, in everyday "real life." And thank God for the people who have been with you step for step on that journey!

    Nice post, Mary! Have a great weekend! Oh....and I LOVE the wood of your kitchen cabinets!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Alycia! Girl, I've seen the parties you've thrown for the important people in your life and you always make it a point to serve wonderful food to go along with your outstanding tablescapes and whether it's a full dinner you've prepared yourself or dishes that you've carefully selected from caterers, etc. I'd say you're definitely a foodie at heart.

      At the risk of sounding a bit conceited, I love my cabinets too! From my first days in an apartment that had those inexpensive painted particle board cupboards and then our first home that had the standard builder's grade honey oak type, I had always wanted a natural cherry wood that would age beautifully over time. And that's just what I got when we did our kitchen reno 8 years ago.

      Oh... by the way, if you haven't done so already, check your email or better yet, the post just prior to this one. There's some news that I think you'll be very happy about! :)

      Delete

I love comments! I read every one and they truly make my day! I no longer allow anonymous comments due to increases in spam, etc. SUBSCRIBE to the COMMENTS on this post (below) to get a notice of my reply via email! Thanks for stopping by and for absolutely making my day! XOXO Mary

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...