You and Your Food

My stove and I have the greatest time together. We love our time together; our warm relationship (see what i did there?); our companionship in nourishing my loved ones. She brings a balance to my days that can only come with reliability. She supports my cooking decisions.

It’s that tims of year when we reflect on so any things. Anyone not reflecting on their food habits (at some point) usually end up with some pretty bad habits that are tough to break. I confess that when I travel in Italy, I practically mainline espresso! But when I return to my home and the reality of my working days, I rethink that habit and decide if several shots of espresso serve me in my life. If they don’t (trust me; they don’t…), I reduce my intake so I feel and function better.

I avoid resolutions at the end of the year. I find them self-defeating, like giving up chocolate for Lent (We were raised to do charity during those days. My mother thought that God cared more that we were good people than if we stopped eating sugar.) Each year, however, during these dark winter days, I dream of spring and take an inventory on my eating.

I confess that I don’t get caught up (anymore) in the virtual blizzard of conflicting information on what it means to eat a healthy diet. Vegan for 43 years, I think I know what works for me…and for my loved ones. And in the end, there’s really not much to be confused about, is there?

We needn’t worry about the details and stats of the latest studies. It has been crystal clear for decades now. Eat whole, unprocessed foods: whole grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, nuts, good fats and seeds. Animal products come with zero good news…for you or the planet, but it’s for you to choose or not. Michael Pollan said it best and his words still hold true: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Now most experts will agree that it’s nearly impossible to avoid ultra-processed foods completely, but I am not sure i agree. Processed foods are yummy; sure but packed with artificial ingredients that belong in lab. They are not food at all. They leave us bereft of life. They also usually have many more calories than we suspect or want. So let’s keep those to a minimum, shall we?

The key to finding your way to a sustainable way of eating for wellness involves quality, quantity and…your cooking. Diets are generally unsustainable, even counterproductive in some ways, leaving us often feeling like failures. They’re also so unpleasant and all encompassing. They become all we think about and all we talk about. I am of the belief that life is short and is meant to be enjoyed, not grimly endured.

So can we indulge our senses and live well and healthfully? Yup. That’s where your kitchen comes in. Sure, you have to spend time there and cook your food. Sure, it’s a bit of work but what’s your health worth? Certainly more than a 30-minute delivery service can provide.

Look, take-out is fun. We love comfort, especially in these challenging times, but instead of eating like children and looking for comfort food, how about we cook to create strength, fortitude, a bangin’ immune system and delicious satisfaction?

My website offers you all such a wide array of yummy and easy to make recipes, that if you head there…I’ll warn you now: You’ll be plum out of excuses for not cooking delicious plant-passionate dishes to nourish yourself and all those you love.

Hang on; I have to go. My stove is calling…it’s time to cook. How about you? Share some of the great dishes you’re making these days. I love seeing what you guys are cooking.