Health & Wellness

YOUR BEST SELF

Food WHAT DOES MEAN TO YOU?

This may seem like a very silly question! Of course, we need to food to survive, to fuel our bodies and give us the energy to move, to provide the building blocks to recover and the vitamins and minerals that we need to thrive. But food is so much more than just fuel. Food tells a story. It is an expression of culture. Food is sensory and emotional. It brings people together, but can also divide. Food can spark creativity no matter what the available ingredients. It is also a means of showing passion and love: passion in the thought and preparation process (the art of cooking) and love in the sharing and giving of something that is essential to life.

Food creates vivid memories and sparks the imagination. Close your eyes and smell the vibrant scents of signature dishes from around the world. From olive oils and pastas in Italy to the boulangeries’ in France, from the fruity fragrance of Moroccan tagine to the vibrant spices of India, every cuisine has a story unique to the food and you have a personal experience associated with that food. Part of the joy of travel is the experience of tasting local foods and learning about the origins of the ingredients and how generations of locals have perfected delicious recipes using local fare. Now picture the colors, shapes and textures on your plate.

Remember the different flavors you have tasted and the stories you have associated with the food you are thinking about. What did you picture when you closed your eyes to smell the food? Where were you? What is the story behind that scene?

Food can also be the source of human connection where families come together to celebrate, share experiences and reminisce. For many this is a weekly gathering that allows generations to bond. For others, it is holidays and special occasions that are usually marked by traditional dishes and large gatherings. It is during these times that we have the opportunity to share and nourish both body and soul. This is a means of staying connected with the lives and experiences of those who came before us. How many times have you found yourself baking a recipe handed down by grandma? There is a certain joy in preparing a dish or meal that has been lovingly handed down over the generations and an even greater satisfaction in being able to share that food with those around you. We also have a strong emotional connection with food. It can be a source of comfort but can equally cause distress. What we should and should not eat and what is considered good or not good for you at any given time can be an endless source of confusion. Some have access to an abundance of quality food while others experience food poverty. But, at very root of it, we all have a human connection with food. If we break through the barriers that often divide us in society, every human has a relationship with food and that human experience can be shared regardless of age, gender or wealth. Too often we rush meals, eat on the go, ignore what our bodies are asking for or telling us about hunger and satiety and neglect to make food part of our daily story. Of course, it is not always practical to sit down and make each meal an event, but food plays a much greater role in our lives than we often give it credit for. Food is not just fuel. Food is an opportunity to slow down and get in touch with our senses. A chance to share, talk and connect. Food can inspire. So, next time you find yourself with the time to enjoy a meal, take a moment to think about the story surrounding that meal and what you might be able to take away from the experience.

A meal does not have to be grand to create a lifelong memoir.