Glimpse: I love food.

I’ve noticed that many of my posts involve, or completely revolve around, food. Well, there is a simple explanation for that: food is very important to me.

I love food. Far beyond the simple necessities for sustaining life, food nourishes our bodies and souls. We share meals with our loved ones and increase intimacy with newer acquaintances by “breaking bread” together. Food comforts us when we are ill or sad, nurtures our loved ones when we want to ease their pain, and brings certain pleasure to our happy occasions.

This is why I believe a balanced diet is healthiest for us. Nutritious food is important for our bodies to use for fuel. So we need to make the best possible choices not to waste calories eating anything devoid of nutrition. Each meal needs to incorporate the many vitamins and minerals our bodies need to keep in supply. However, food is not just about fuel. The balance also must include nourishing our selves.

Food has a unique way of combining tastes and textures to ignite a sensory emotion within us as we enjoy it. Eating something we know and love evokes a different experience than testing something new and exciting. Different foods compliment our different moods, or sometimes can even cause them. Eating is one of life’s pure pleasures, and every meal should be sustenance to our spirit.

The most wonderful thing about food is sharing it with others. Our families and friends gathered around the table together, eating our favourite dishes and enjoying laughter and love is what it’s all about. Passing family recipes down from one generation to the next is a time honoured tradition around the world. The pride we hold that our grandmother’s old fashioned icelandic vinarterta recipe is “the best in the world” is second to none. These special social connections are made, maintained, and strengthened by sharing food.

In my volunteer position at the local women’s shelter I plan and cook meals for the ladies living in the facility with the help of some of these same. I try to choose meals that are enjoyable as well as healthy, and they are met with often mixed reviews. No matter what the dish, though, getting to know each other while preparing food that they all will enjoy together is an amazing experience every time. Keeping in mind that I often meet women there on the worst day of their lives while they are coping with crisis, I never know what to expect when making the evening meal. I have heard sad stories, had hilarious conversations, met children and grandmothers, shared recipes and learned new things. It is always an enlightening experience, and food is always at the heart of it.