Motivation Mondays: Food for Thought
“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh
Motivation Mondays: Food for Thought
Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go. Anthony Bourdain
The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift. Laurie Colwin
Food can bring people together in a way nothing else could. Yotam Ottolenghi
Food Glorious Food! Happy belated National Chocolate Day! With Halloween around the corner, the holiday season almost upon us, and all the chocolate treats the kids will bring home in their trick-or-treat baskets, food is on my mind. I give thanks for all who have nourished me over the years with great food; family, friends, and the occasional stranger. The beauty of food is that we all need it and we all love to eat our favorite foods. Even folks who have little interest in desserts and treats have foods they are passionate about and indulge in at a moment’s notice. I grew up in a healthy foods loving household. My mom was a trained nutritionist and chef. She had fabulous dinner parties that gave her ample opportunities to prepare new dishes in her chefs kitchen and experiment on old ones. From a young age, we were introduced to all manner of exotic and exquisite dishes from around the world, and it fueled my love for good food as an adult. There was a caveat to this heady, tantalizing, and fine dining experience in our home, Mom forbade sweets and junk foods of any kind. She was determined to keep us away from the typical birthday party fare of our childhood; cakes, cookies, sodas and such, that she rarely allowed us to attend birthday parties. Naturally, we were all upset about this ruling but were powerless to do anything about it. We were kids and being told we couldn’t go to a birthday party or have one because the foods served at them were forbidden foods was not fun. But, Mom was the queen of our home, her kingdom, and Dad agreed with her.
What is the point of all this? Humans are motivated by things we can’t have and by things we imagine we should have to make our lives happier. Food is a powerful motivator. We need it to survive and we enjoy it at every possible occasion. Food holds family memories. Food is medicine. Yet, moderation in all things, including food, is a critical lesson to learn and we can instill it in our children by not being so rigid about everything. Of course, we all know what happens when you slam the door on a child’s curiosity around foods other kids seem to gulp down at every turn, the child craves it even more. Whenever I had the chance, I swapped my healthy snacks for the “crappy stuff” at school, and pleaded with softhearted uncles and aunts to treat me to chocolates, cakes and those fizzy drinks that will remain nameless. Mom explained why it was important to eat your fruits and vegetables. We understood her reasons and loved her for serving healthy meals but, like typical kids, we wanted a little of the other stuff. She served us heaps of spinach, seasonal fruits and fresh fish on a regular basis. It was lovely but, the spinach got to me. My siblings and I would take turns dropping chunks of the stuff under the dining table and, later on at night, we’d quietly return to retrieve the evidence and flush it down the toilet or toss it in the bin. As an adult, it took me many, many, many years to look at spinach and not want to barff. I couldn’t eat it for years, and it was only after I married a man who loved spinach that I decided to give the damn thing another try.
“Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat.” Guy Fieri
Motivation Mondays: Food for Thought
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. Virginia Woolf
When a man’s stomach is full it makes no difference whether he is rich or poor. Euripides
I always encourage people to get out there, travel the world, see new things, experience new people, experience new food, experience new culture. What happens is that helps you to grow and be your best self. Karamo Brown
How did your childhood food experiences shape your relationship to food? As a child, it was a constant struggle to accept the house rules at home that contrasted sharply with the house rules we observed elsewhere. The list of forbidden foods was the usual snacks and sugary treats that some kids end up taking with them into adulthood. We got some of our share through friends and sympathetic uncles/aunts but, it always felt dangerous. I don’t like dangerous situations. I never have and so, it always left me feeling not quite satisfied by the experience. Imagine having a sugared donut in a hidden corner, gobbling it up as quickly as can be, and then wiping away what little evidence might still be lingering on your clothes and lips? That is NOT the way to enjoy any food, ever. Binge. Restrict. Revisit became a cycle during my teenage years away from home at boarding school and, like most teens, once boys came into the picture, looking a certain way became our raison d’être. Mind you, because I was athletic and a fashionista, I maintained my weight but some of the warped ideas I had around food soon led to an eating disorder and a visit to the infirmary. My Mom had good intentions but, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and what was lacking was balance around the subject of food choices. It’s all well and good to run a healthy, food from the farm household but, where kids are involved, offer them a few treats. Allow the kids to participate in the senseless but, delightful foods of childhood with their friends. Unless the kids have allergies, allow them to try forbidden foods once in a while. The occasional hot chocolate sundae, frozen ice pops, fizzy drinks or even bubble gum won’t harm the kids. Chill out.
Good Food versus not so Good Food motivated my food choices well into my adult years. Food is medicine and Moms are the best doctors when it comes to serving our kids our version of it. Because we grew up eating very healthy foods, I had great teeth and a strong constitution that saved my life numerous times. I was born with a congenital heart defect and many years later, when it surfaced and almost killed me, I knew my Mom’s effort and a lot of grace helped see me into adulthood. But the rigidity of her food regimen meant that I probably overindulged in those forbidden foods, once I left the safety of my family cocoon. Moving to America opened the door to an ever wider array of forbidden foods and I tried a few. Soon, sugar became a big part of my life and I continue to battle the temptation to have desserts with every meal. I don’t give into it because I am fully aware of what happens when we don’t practice moderation with all things. Yesterday was national chocolate day and trick-or-treat night is around the corner. Food is nourishment that can become punishment if we mishandle it. How are we handling our relationship with food? How did my experience impact my attitude around food with my own kids? Comeback for more.
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for SEPT 2018/OCT 2018 are:
09/01 – 03 Labor Day, 5 International Charity Day, 8 International Literacy Day
09/09 – 9 Rosh Hashana, 10 Suicide Prevention Day, 11 Patriot Day,
09/16 – 17 Emmy Awards, 19 Yom Kippur, 21 International Day of Peace, 22 Fall, 22 Oktoberfest
09/23 – 23 Padre Pio Day, 24 – 30 Sukkot, 27 World Tourism Day
09/30 – 30 Sukkot Ends
10/01 – 01 Nigeria Independence Day, International Coffee Day
10/07 – 08 Columbus Day
10/14 – 16 World Food Day
10/21 – 21 World Mission Day, 24 UNO Day
10/28 – 28 National Chocolate Day, 31 Halloween
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“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” Benjamin Franklin
Motivation Mondays: Food for Thought
Oliver! on BBC’s Children in Need 2008
You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food. Paul Prudhomme
Fitness starts at home. What you eat is what you will look like, just as what you sow is what you reap. Eat good food: eat fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and don’t go for sweet and trite food. Rakul P. Singh
We struggle with eating healthily, obesity, and access to good nutrition for everyone. But we have a great opportunity to get on the right side of this battle by beginning to think differently about the way that we eat and the way that we approach food. Marcus Samuelsson
How did my experience impact my attitude around food with my own kids? By the time I had my twins, I was no longer a subscriber of my Mom’s food rule book. Still, I ate healthy meals. I was a vegetarian, and I ate sweets whenever I wanted. I was so invested in making sure that birthdays were celebrated with the maximum vim and vigor for my twins that I ordered a Sylvia Weinstock birthday cake for their first birthday party. They were babies and could care less about the extravagance of that occasion but, I must confess, I was doing it more for me and my memories of an interrupted childhood devoid of birthdays. My children never had to sneak out to drink chocolate milk, a forbidden food in my childhood, they could have any childhood drink they wanted in moderation. We fed them fruits and vegetables and all sorts of healthy foods but, we tempered it with treats and popcorn or a bag of chips if we went to the movies. We didn’t eat meat but nothing was forbidden. Was my approach better? I would say it was different. I wanted my kids to learn early to make informed choices and to weigh the consequences of their actions. I knew that using the method that was my childhood experience wouldn’t work and I didn’t want them going down the same rabbit hole I went through during my teen years. Humans are complex beings, and even with the best intentions, we still make choices that might give others pause. I think it is very important to explore our relationship with food and to find a happy medium that we can live with. Food is medicine and, as such, we must consume it first for nourishment and occasionally for indulgence.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens was a favorite book from my childhood and because I read everything I could lay my hands on, I read this book more than once. Writing this post brought me back to the book and the famous Food Glorious Food song. It was a haunting book because the kids in the story were orphans dreaming of having a decent meal, even a fancy meal but, they were always served gruel. It is a story that reminds us to be grateful for our meals and my post is not by any stretch a critique of good healthy food but a call for moderation with all foods.
Food, Glorious Food
Oliver! (musical)
Album Oliver! (Soundtrack)
Is it worth the waiting for?
If we live ’til eighty four
All we ever get is gru… el!
Ev’ry day we say our prayer —
Will they change the bill of fare?
Still we get the same old gru… el!
There’s not a crust, not a crumb can we find
Can we beg, can we borrow, or cadge
But there’s nothing to stop us from getting a thrill
When we all close our eyes and imag… ine
Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we’re in the mood —
Cold jelly and custard!
Peas, pudding and saveloys!
What next is the question?
Rich gentlemen have it, boys —
In-di-gestion!
Food, glorious food!
We’re anxious to try it
Three banquets a day —
Our favourite diet!
Just picture a great big steak —
Fried, roasted or stewed
Oh, food
Wonderful food
Marvelous food
Glorious food
Food, glorious food!
What is there more handsome?
Gulped, swallowed or chewed —
Still worth a king’s ransom!
What is it we dream about?
What brings on a sigh?
Piled peaches and cream, about
Six feet high!
Food, glorious food!
Eat right through the menu
Just loosen your belt
Two inches and then you
Work up a new appetite
In this interlude —
The food
Once again, food
Fabulous food
Glorious food
Food, glorious food!
Don’t care what it looks like —
Burned!
Underdone!
Crude!
Don’t care what the cook’s like
Just thinking of growing fat —
Our senses go reeling
One moment of knowing that
Full-up feeling!
Food, glorious food!
What wouldn’t we give for
That extra bit more —
That’s all that we live for
Why should we be fated to
Do nothing but brood
On food
Magical food
Wonderful food
Marvelous food
Fabulous food
Beautiful food
Glorious food!
Home O Oliver! (musical) Food, Glorious Food Lyrics via LyricsFreak
Any Zen Antics stories via
Positive Motivation Tip: Food is the most natural medicine we can feed our bodies; use it wisely.
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
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Tag: – Motivation Mondays
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Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
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I have always believed in that saying, “take everything in moderation,” and this is what my endocrinologist always reminds me. Choosing the right food we eat not only provides nourishment for our bodies but for our mental faculties as well.Chocolate is a “feel good” food, but of course, that also has to be consumed in moderation.
Moderation is definitely key in the world of food. There is always room for more.
As a food blogger, I really appreciated this post. The Guy Fieri quote is one of my favourites 🙂 I love how food brings people together. I am a big believer in making plans with people and cooking up a storm!
Yes, food is a powerful aphrodisiac and party organizer! Hahah! 🙂
All your points are valid but I think I am developing aneroxia. I hate eating even if Im hungry.
Be very careful and get professional help…it starts with a repulsion towards food and gets worse. DM and we can chat. 🙂
I really enjoyed learning a bit more about you and the background you grew up in where it pertains to enjoying food. Your observation that it is far better to allow full diversity and choices of food so that children may grow up with a broader knowledge and be able to make responsible choices themselves is something I definitely agree with. That takes nothing away from your mother though, as all parents generally do the best that they know how to do, when it comes to the welfare of their children.
Yes, I agree with you. She lay a solid food foundation for us and, while her approach was draconian, it worked. I chose a different approach and this is the beauty of choice… Thank you for your thoughtful feedback.<3
Such a beautiful and powerful piece. I’ll agree that we should have the heart of gratitude; giving thanks to all we have each morning we wake up and to the food each time we partake of it.
It all begins with gratitude
Food is what keeps us humans going, it is fuel for both the body and soul. For our family, meal time is family time.thanks for sharing this.
This was a great article on food – but I LOVE that quote you started with. It is really resonating with me!
What’s this about chocolate day? Lol – chocolate is definitely my favorite. And so true, food is a big motivator. It’s nice to have a celebration and where food brings everyone together.
I’ve found that the more I practice moderation, the more I enjoy the food I eat. I never feel guilty, overstuffed, or, as the saying goes, “like a pig”.
not even once? live a little Stacey!
I’m currently having a cooking and baking day, so this post came at just the right time for me. Loved reading your thoughts on food.
glad you approved
It is always about food. It brings us together and shapes our days. You are spot on.
Ha!:)
Food brings families together, I always enjoy having my family around the dinner table to share about our day. Thank you for sharing your background and stories about growing up with food.
I really love this post, it is such a good reminder for me to always show my gratitude in everything that I have in my life and I also agree that we need to take everything in moderation not only in terms of food.
im with you
This post is so beautifully written! I love how you dipped into your childhood and memories. This particular sentence really resonated with me – “food is nourishment that can become punishment if we mishandle it.” It’s so true.
Thank you Anshula! i get teary eyed when i know someone actually read my post before commenting!
🙂
there is always something to be thankful for. At this time of year there is so much wonderful food being harvested it is easy to be thankful for food.
Food is such an interesting part of life. I am headed to Paris later this year, and the trip was planned almost entirely around where we are eating….my parents taught me young to try everything, and as an adult, there’s almost nothing I don’t like….except beets. Blech!
What!!!? i LOVE BEETS!
we didnt have man y restrictions growing up as far as food. it was more of an everything in moderation kind of thing. thats what i’ve carried over to my own household, but i am always trying to eat healthier
My childhood relationship with food taught me that food that brings people together. Being Hispanic, we always find an excuse to celebrate and that will always include food.
Yes, we celebrated with food too… just differently
My childhood really shaped a good relation with food. Because my mom would make sure we eat the right things and when we are hungry. For them eating too much is a sin. They teach us to eat just the amount we needed and share the rest in the neighborhood with someone rhat didn’t have much. Like you said wgen hungry it doesn’t matter if you rich or poor.
i grew up with the same philosophy too.
Food is an important part of our lives. Many of our favourite dishes invoke such beautiful memories and there are some things which we absolutely can’t eat. Loved reading your post. Definitely food for thought
I am still not eating some of the foods I was forced to eat when I was a child, such as beans. My mother used to make many dishes with beans and I never liked them. I agree with spinach as well, I still can’t eat it cooked. I usually just add the leafs in salad. 🙂
yes, beans was another one on my list. i grew to like it as an adult but can’t digest it well.
I had no idea it was national chocolate day. I do think we see food more as enjoyment as opposed to just for nutrition x
depends on the individual
You know what, as a foodie I never given much thought about my background with food.
That Virginia Woolf quote is so true! Chocolate is my weakness too and just returning from 3 European countries known for chocolate, I was so overwhelmed for choice lol. Still, I controlled myself somewhat lol. Good, healthy food is necessary for well-being so eat heart-healthy foods with your issue as American foods are not healthy!
Kemi,i’m vegetarian. i would be dead by now if i had an unhealthy diet.
I’ve always had such a strange relationship with food. Right now I am trying to work on a healthy relationship with it.
yep 1 billion dollar industry
An informative and thought provoking post, especially because of how much emphasis the media places on body sizes and shapes these days. Thanks also for sharing about yourself.
True… its a multi billion industry too
Food is so motivating for me–haha! I resonate with this Motivation Monday! Good to know about National Chocolate day as well! -Tonya Morris
I definitely gravitate toward comfort food like Mac & Cheese when I’m feeling down. It reminds me of childhood!
I love reading what you have to say, I dislike that human’s have started to desire what we can’t have more than appreciating what we can have. That’s my walk away from this, as far as my thoughts.
i hear you… human behavior
It was so interesting to hear how your experiences as a child shaped how you fed your own children. It definitely did give me food for thought too.
Right? Yeah, it was quite the experience with many changes along the road
I’m a total foodie. I will admit I’m fussy though, for example not just any chocolate will do when i have a craving. All in moderation is what I believe in.
Great article, and I couldn’t agree more! Great points and very well written. <3
My passion for cooking definitely began as a child. i’m very grateful to my mum for fostering determination and creativity in me.
I have changed my whole way of thinking about food in an effort to be healthier and more fit. I am doing great and no longer just eat to eat! I want to teach my children to make these healthy decisions as well!
Good … just keep it fluid and flexible
how do i always forget about chocolate day? 🙁 i love that virginia woolf quote.
haha literally food for thought. Any post about food will capture my eye. This was such a unique and interesting post to read
I love everything in your blog post! Foods, motivational quotes, that make it so perfect! I enjoyed reading your blog posts.
This is such a great post. As a food lover I love how you give us a reminder about food thought. Food is such an important in our lives not because of necessity but because it brings everyone together.
I love food and I love cooking. I agree food does bring everyone together no matter from a different culture or country. As long as we eat healthy, food will make us happy
I’m from a big Italian family. We express love through food! After some struggle, I think I’ve finally found a balance between recognizing food as fuel but also loving and enjoying it.
I’ve always been a picky eater, but I love raw spinach (I hate the texture of cooked spinach) with a little bit of Italian dressing & Feta cheese. 😁 It’s interesting that such a basic need also brings us together and is also medicine.
Food is a powerful motivator we need to work everyday for buying food. I am food lover 🙂 I’ll be more than happy to see this post. 🙂
Food truly is such a big motivator in life. I am sure we all have stories of hiding food as a kid and cleaning it up later. Although my main method of not eating what was on my plate was drinking too much milk and then stating I was too full to possible eat anything. Which mostly I was. But it frustrated the heck out of my mother.
This is such a great post and very encouraging too. I’ve totally agreed with you, food brings everyone together. Food can set the mood for every individual.
As a child I had absolutely no interest in food whatsoever. It was just there and I ate whatever my Mom gave us. It’s only after I had kids that I actually started really savoring different flavours and enjoying a “food experience”.
interesting…i always imagined you a foodie
I love food! Great to read about your background… Very important for children to know where their food comes from so that they can make responsible choices…
I really love this post. I think most parents forget that kids ALWAYS want what they can’t have, no matter what it is. I’m a big believer in moderation so that my kids don’t go out and crazily try to get all the “no-no’s” they can’t have at home. It’s a tough line to walk when you’re a parent – knowing how much or how little to control.
As someone who loves food (and travelling around the world striving to taste culinary delicacies from as many countries and cultures as possible), this was a great read! 🙂
Ohhhh I typically try and avoid the whole “where does my relationship with food” come from – this might be a completely different view from most here but I’ve found (as someone who’s struggled with all sorts of food issues forever) that the LESS I think about it, the better my habits become. When I start analyzing and overthinking my issues around what I eat and how that affects me, I get so bogged down. Odd? Maybe, but it’s what’s finally worked for me!
Glad you got your groove back on that one.
Thank you so much for yet another great read! I love food and i love cooking, it is such a stress reliever for me and i enjoy it a lot.
There’s a lot of good about food but there is also a dark side. I had to explore the subject. 🙂
I’ve always believed that food has the power to heal us. It just depends on the types of foods we eat.
always true
I have to agree with you, everything in moderation. Food is definitely a way to heal your soul.
AND THAT is why I love food – because it really is UNIVERSAL! 🙂
I like how this post demonstrates how powerful food is in our daily lives. I also love the quote about being thankful for something when you wake up.
Thank you
Coming from a multi cultural and multilingual family and country, enjoying different foods was something we took for granted. And it’s something my kids enjoy now. While we have rules on how much of a bad thing they can eat, we never stop them from doing so. Consequently, my kids have amazing discipline when it comes to resisting. Which is great on a night like tonight, they’re just about to go trick or treating!
Yep… thinking of the candy culture around that tradition got me writing this post. I took my mother’s nutritional smarts for granted. Years later, I learned her diligence saved my life. <3
Great quotes! I definitely should be more mindful and appreciative while eating, food is something I have every single day and I should be grateful
We all should
Oh my gosh I missed National Chocolate Day! Not sure how that happened. Totally agree that food is a touchy subject, particularly for young people for whom body image becomes a huge deal. I think we should be teaching our kids about balance, and as you say, not bingeing!
Yeah, bingeing is not taught though. It becomes part of a disorder around restricted food.
We celebrated National Chocolate day this week too! Had chocolate protein pancakes and a hot mocha. I agree food always brings us together 🙂
Food is life. LOL Not that extreme but I love a good meal with loved ones. It literally makes me happy.
Oh boy food can really be a touchy subject can’t it? As 20 years in the health and fitness industry I will say that portion control is the biggest issue I see. My hubby lost 60lb just from controlling portion sizes.One great thing that’s happened in his journey is that HE started cooking and it’s really drawn us closer together as a couple.
That is awesome! I am so proud of both of you. 🙂
I did not have a good relationship with food growing up! I spent a lot of time with a grandmother who felt food was love. Being a child, the idea of overeating is nonexistent. I thought it was great to eat whatever and as much as I wanted. Later I paid for that in my teen years and I still struggle to eat reasonably.
Yeah,that balance thing is so important and we form a lot of habits in childhood.
You know, I never thought about it that way. Food really does bring people together, your points are awesome!
Glad you liked the post
Food is absolutely medicine for me. I always go for something I really like to eat on my pay check day. I guess food is the thing that cheer me up during my busy but boring working life .
I still have my foodie Thursday… comfort foods.
I love food and I love this post! Thank you!
Glad you did.:)
Food definitely brings people together. I especially love fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. Good food inspires me to cook more.
I like coming here and learning a bit about topics I don’t r regularly think about. I try to eat in moderation, my only problem with food is that I get so busy I forget to eat… then I look up and it’s 5pm and I didn’t eat all day. I am going to have set a reminder to go eat.
I’m that way sometimes but have changed a lot over the years. I don’t starve myself as much.
I love food and being vegan has made me really choose things that resonate with my body and spirit. It’s so important to have a positive relationship with food.
Started my day thinking of chocolate. Well that is a good start. Childhood always reminds me of all the traditional cakes my grandma and mum baked. Holidays are not the same without the sweets, they keep my soul young.
I totally agree, food is so important for our social being!
We are what we eat, and how we eat it. I have a healty relationship with food, I am an omnivore, eat sweets at occasions, in moderation, and do the same with my children. I have never felt guilty or stressed about food and I have never eaten for another reason than hunger! Thanks to my mother’s (who is actually an obese person, with a lot of eating troubles and disorders) caring cooking and teaching, none of my siblings have ever had eating disorders, or obesity. What a paradox, isn’t it?
Why do you think it happened that way? She didn’t want you kids to become her? Who knows… My mom was always in fabulous shape and wanted us to eat the best and healthiest foods. She went overboard with the forbidden foods but, she still instilled a love for good food in us. I am my mother’s daughter
I love the Benjamin Franklin quote. I love to prepare meals that I hope my kiddos will remember fondly when they grow older. I hope that they will continue to cook good wholesome meals for their families <3
and they will. I inherited a lot of my mother’s love for fresh and gourmet foods
This is such a great blog. I love how food brings people together. Thanks for sharing.
There is a massive emotional connection with people and food, not just for fuel but for pleasure and pain and is so important to respect your relationship with food.
All food is a wonderful thing in moderation. I think that’s really the key that should be taught to kids. That way, they won’t feel the need to sneak eat “bad” stuff. That can lead to all sorts of food-related mental health issues for some people.
Yep… hence the main point of my post
When I think of food I think of friends and family. It’s the best enjoyment! I have good memories with food as a child and I was able to eat any and everything. As an adult my eating habits have changed to a more healthier lifestyle but there’s always a moment to have fun and indulge in the fun foods.
Good. Keep it that way.
They look so yummy and the show was amazing.
This is so true, how powerful, inviting and motivating food is. I must admit, I am a food lover – and I love to cook, not just to please myself but I love cooking for my family.
i love to cook too…
Thank you for sharing Food is such an important part of our culture. We try to create a positive attitude in our own children about food.
As long as you have the knowledge of what is good and bad, and practice healthy eating habits. I grew up in a traditional Italian home where food brought everyone together. The kitchen was truly the heart of our home and I try to instill those values in my own family. This was an interesting and thoughtful post. Thanks for sharing.
I have many Italian friends and we share many good food memories together.:)
This is a great post to ponder. I love that quote. It shows how we are being formed in our daily living.
glad you approved
Balance is key, everything in moderation, but food habits are established early 🙂
I have never thought about this since i never had troubles with food. I’m the one who eats too much and whenever possible, but I now realize that it is not the same for all!
Angela… you’re not alone though
I love all the wonderful quotes you included about food and eating! It’s so true that food is not only about survival, it had become an integral part of our culture and happiness!
I have a deep appreciation for good food, and it’s a pleasurable adventure and a reflection of our heritage as well. One that we can share with our family.
Yes, so many of us do. Moderation is still key.
It was nice to read about your childhood. I believe that your mother did what was right for you back then and now you do what is right for your kids. Parents always look after their kids
She was ahead of her time and taught us plenty about nutritional health
Great post food is very important it obviously is fuel for the body but can bring people together, heal those who are ill, and a load more positives x
Definitely
I love the quotes about food and added them to my quote book that rests on my living room table. I had a good laugh about the spinach. My mom and I could open a cold can of spinach, add a little apple cider vinegar and eat it right out of the can. 🙂
OMG! WHERE’S THE BUCKET? HAHAHAH!:)
I really appreciate this post– in the last few years I’ve found a love in food that I was sincerely lacking growing up, and it means so much more than it ever did now. x
Glad this spoke to you
I think people underestimate how big a difference certain foods can make. I get SO happy with a nice bowl of Mac N’ Cheese or Chicken N’ Dumplings.
I had no idea about National Chocolate Day! But glad to know about it and your story. Couldn’t agree more with the point that parents should introduce their kids with food from diversified culture. It not only broaden their horizons but gives them ability to embrace other cultures!
Variety is the spice of life
There is so much good information here. I can really appreciate how comprehensive this list is!
It was interesting to find out more about you growing up and your experiences regarding food. My upbringing was very similar, we had certain forbidden snacks that of course were even more tempting because we weren’t allowed them.
MY SISTER AND KINDRED SPIRIT.;)
I love reading your inspirational posts. They always make me smile. Chocolate, my favorite.
It is very important to watch what you are eating but also enjoy what you are eating too. I honestly need to start eating more in moderation. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us 🙂
Your posts are so inspirational. We bring people together for food through our supper clubs.
Amazing and powerful, gratitude is they key to all that we want and all good.
Revisted your site again today, Elizabeth. Just a bit of trivia. Do you know that Filipinos’ standard greeting is “Have you eaten?” (instead of “How are you?”). And that it is “disrespectful” to decline a meal when you are invited into a Filipino home. For us, food is a blessing that should be shared wholeheartedly.
The same holds true for most African households.
This is such a great post, I do believe that all of one should always give gratitude not only for the food that we have but also for every blessings that we received.
Such a great post. this so encouraging. I love how positive you are with all your blog. i love reading it especially when I am feeling down.
Love this! So many great reminders!
For Italians, like me, food has a special place in the construction of person identity. It’s something so rooted in our national and family histories that when you decide to follow any alternative dietary path, this becomes your label, part of your personality. Like being veg, like me
Wow national chocolate day! I agree that food connects people…regardless of age/gender/social class/culture if a meal is good and everyone is enjoying it connects people. I like how our taste buds evolve too…so you may hate something as a child but love it as an adult. Or meeting someone or travelling to a country can just influence what you choose to eat. We’re so flexible when it comes to food!
It’s amazing how food can affect our emotions and relationship. I am picky with food though. Love this!
Such a great post. I have started to really enjoy cooking and it has made me appreciate food so much more.
Food is a pleasure to me. I do try to eat as healthy as I can but sometimes I find myself not following my own call. I don’t know if it’s for the better though as it made me feel good.
Food is obviously a massive part of our lives. It can completely change your mood if a meal is very good (or very bad!) I think banning certain foods is asking for trouble. “Everything in moderation” is a good ethos!
My favorite from this post is: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well” by Virginia Woolf. I need to share this one!!
Apart from how we eat and feed. Alot more goes on and around to what effect it has on people. As usual you did it well with the quotes. Which says it all. Excellent post.
I also grew up in a very healthy household but boy do I love chocolate! And you can usually figure out how to make healthy things with it if you try hard enough! 🙂
How did I miss National Chocolate Day! I’m a big fan of cooking food, and eating food! Great inspiration here!
Happy late National Chocolate Day to you as well. I am eating Royce Champagne nama chocolate as I’m reading this post!
I have had a real journey with my relationship with food. I was hospitalised with anorexia in my 20’s and it has taken me until 38 to reach a point where I am happy and content with my body and my relationship with food. I LOVE to eat!
I’m glad you turned that corner Laura… so did I.<3
Food definitely brings everyone together and chocolate is my weakness! I refuse to be saved from it lol
There is really a lot to thank for! Yey! to more Mondays!
Food is so important. We are always bringing people together through our dinner parties.
This is a very insightful piece. I’ve always had a weird relationship with food. I think now that I’m older it’s been so much easier to have a healthy relationship with it. By the way, hearing that you all snuck back down to dispose of the spinach definitely made me laugh 😉.
My childhood experiences with food were always positive and now I try everything and have hardly any food aversions. I do however overindulge a little more then I should.
Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking article
I love this post and the food glorious food link, so true!! I’ve also got a sweet tooth but try to eat healthily apart from a chocolate addiction.
Eliza xx
This is such a motivation post and worth reading. I really love this kind of post plus the topic is really getting deeper to our thought. Food is really the love of man and it’s from the beginning.
oh!! each and every post of yours makes my heart smile!
Thank you for this. Food is so important in my life as it always reminds me of really happy family times. I definitely need to work on my relationship with it though, especially chocolate. Eek.
I think moderation is key for everything in life because it creates balance. This post gave me motivation for the entirety of the next week!
Gratitude seems to be the message for me this week. Give thanks. I shall stop in a bit and also consider everything–all the blessings that I have, so that I will stop feeling sad.
This is such an interesting post to read. Food is always around us, as we grow up. Food relationship to us is very closely knit.
I agree with you. Food has its way of getting people together. I was inspired by Anthony Bourdain in some ways on how he travel and search for local food. He mentioned before, if you want to know a culture of the country or place, start with food. Thanks for this great article.
This is very interesting! Food is so important in our lives! Thank you for sharing!
This is very important. It seems that everyone has a weird relationship with food and it may be something that you learn as you get older. Moderation is definitely key with food.
Luckily my relationship with food has always been somewhat good , however foods relationship with me , not so much Haha. Thanks for a great post!
I love this post. I used to have a weird relationship with food but now it’s gotten better as I’ve gotten older.
A belated Happy National Chocolate Day to you too! I seem to miss the fun celebrations but I do get enough chocolate! I love good food too, moderation is key!
That is a lot to think about! I love these motivational Mondays!
This is motivational. Foods bring everyone together in the name of treat.
Food is what keep us on going. It is the fuel for our body and soul. I really love the point, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well”.
food brings everyone together. this is such a beautiful and insightful post 🙂
Food is essential necessities of all living things. We human we celebrate and enjoy it with our loved ones. I believe that so, food can also connect human and give more happy moments bonding time together.
“it was only after I married a man who loved spinach that I decided to give the damn thing another try.” You got me cracking up at this point. Food is makes me happy, and as you said it has a way of bring people together.
as a chef and nutritionist food is my passion and my livelihood. it’s so important to understand that food is inanimate and we associate things with it. once we can separate food from feelings, this is where we can truly begin to love food!
I love having a mix of healthy and not so healthy food during my day, sometimes with too much unhealthy food. It’s important for me to be able to find a balance!
likewise
Food is an elixir. Of that there can be little doubt. Sadly, cooking is a bit of a dying art in North America or so it would seem with all the processed foods these days.
Yes food rocks when done well… I do hope cooking never dies out
YES! I have always loved dinners which brought my entire family together! It is fuel for our bodies and fuel for our relationships
Just this morning I had a cheat day and I wrote a little bit about my relationship with food. Moderation is key meanwhile we enjoy it as a social activity.
I had no idea that National Chocolate Day was a few days before Halloween! I not only love preparing food for my family, but I also love eating it and enjoying it with them.
Happy national chocolate day! I love eating but I agree about being able to indulge in moderation.
I like to enjoy in food, especially if it’s meatless or treats. I love the photos. And the song is amazing too. And that picture of a hot chocolate (or whatever it is) made me want it! 🙂
I didnt realise there was a national chocolate day! I have a love hate relationship with food and it can get ugly at times
I grew up small towns, every house had its own garden, ours was no exception. All summer we played outside if we were hungry we pulled something out of the ground knocked off the dirt and ate it. There weren’t any drive thru coffee shops or restaurants. Living in the the city has provided many advantages for my family, I regret my kids missed out on that connection with food from the earth.
Hot chocolate was my poison I grew up loving it soooo much and even today I live someone where it’s hot and it’s still my favorite no matter what
It’s interesting to see how your life as a child has impacted your views on food. We were also told to hold off on sweets, and they were often reserved for special occasions.
What a beautiful written post. I really like to eat foods but in moderation and try new recipes.
Ive tried this recipe and it is really delicious and yummy. Perfect for dipping chips. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Food, glorious food!
Food always brings people together. It is fascinating to see that in different cultures many traditions revolve around food.
I didn’t even know national chocolate day was a thing! If I had done I would have celebrated for sure lol x
i’m not a foodie. This post have changed my thoughts about food. The table is a meeting place and food bring everyone together ^^ I’m glad that you shared.
This is such a great article! I always enjoy the motivational quotes and sayings that you use in your posts. I especially love the opener that you used in this one. Thanks for sharing!
No matter where you’re from, or who you are or what culture you grew up with, if food does not stir you up in a good way, then something must be wrong with you. Haha. Nonetheless, this was such a good read!
I think I had food problems in the past because of how my mum cooked. When I was a little girl, the time of lunch and dinner was horrible for me. I didn’t like veggies, rice, cheese, tomatoes, fish… but also I couldn’t live only eating pasta and meat. So I know, for my parents also were very complicated. At 26, I’m starting to eat better with help. So I think, of course the way that you eat can affect you when you’re growing up. Now I don’t eat a lot of meat (I’m trying to stop eating meat and trying new options of eating veggies) but also I’m still having some issues with fish and some veggies. Little by little…
Love the beginning quote per usual. But you know, I’ve always found that food brought people together no matter what the occasion is/was.
The pleasure of giving, receiving and sharing food with others might be the most natural way to truly connect with others. It’s why I’ve always been a big fan of dinner clubs, where friends regularly cook for one another. Very inspiring post, as always.
We are what we eat. This has been drummed into my head since childhood. Food – cooking and eating is integral to any culture.
Love the motivational quotes…
food is my whole life