What Is A Foodie? Is That What I Am?
What Is Nourishing? I Choose That.
Within the last few years, my enjoyment of blogs and books that self-identify with the “foodie” phenomenon (sometimes spelled “foody”) has led me to believe that I, also, am one. But am I? One of the occupational hazards of running Pantry Paratus is Twitter. A real liability, if you ask me (I have read more sanitary bathroom walls). However, it is one of those necessary evils everyone always talks about, but then again, so are high heels but I will not do those either. Regardless, this flats-wearing, food science geek keeps a #foodie tab open through my Twitter Feed. Wow, do I feel lonely on there.
Here is my style of #foodie tweet:
<Do you “preferment” the flour for your #bread?So easy, & here is the why. ow.ly/k3HW5 #foodie #baking #wholefood
— Pantry Paratus (@PantryParatus) April 15, 2013
Here is the average tweet I see on the foodie hashtag (#):
This particular feed (#foodie) often contains pictures taken on cell phones of the greasy pizza from the chain restaurant, and they often carry a caption like “1 of the 5 things I will eat off of the McDonald’s menu”.
My gut hurts just thinking of it.
Feeling alone in my quest for good nutrition and self-sufficiency, I decided to refer to the informational hub of the universe to define for me what a true “foodie” really is—I went to the seat of all knowledge to find myself and where I belong. I went to Wikipedia.
The basic foodie definition is that it refers to a food hobbyist who seeks food sensation for reasons other than hunger, and eating out for more than just the convenience.
I found my answer, by the Authority of Wikipedia, that I am not a foodie. It is not about food sensation for me. It is not about the rustic wood table and the perfectly laid napkin. No food stylist required. It is not about the restaurant lighting or stars on their review. It is not about trend or the buzz or the latest write-up.
It is about nourishing my healthy, happy family. It is about having something I produced, prepared, and preserved myself. I want to know where our food comes from and know what to do with it for myself.
Our world is anything but simple, in the name of convenience. The more “convenient” things become, the more complex. No, I cannot operate the VCR independently so I barely qualify to write this paragraph of this blog—I cannot even name the latest electronic devices (Are iPads still cool? I am pretty sure PS2’s are out, right?)…but I think you get my point.
When I advocate baking your own bread or slicing and dehydrating peaches, I am advocating a simpler time in life when you knew what was going into your mouth—the gas tank that determines the health of your future. A “foodie” might order off of the menu, snap a picture, and send a tweet. You might have a sink of dishes left from bread baking day, and a garden to weed. It is not glamorous, it is not convenient, but it is simple, nourishing, and whole.
When you see an entire society sick with food-related illnesses (heart disease, diabetes, cancers even), you hope that in the game of roulette the ball does not drop on your number. But what if it is not a game entirely of chance and some terminal illness outcomes can be known? And what if the ball drops on the number of your mom, your sister, your best friend? What if you could make choices that would increase your “odds” (if this were a game of chance after all) of living a full, healthy, and productive life? Would that be worth it to you?
Here is to Your Nourished Family,
Chaya
Photo Credits:
Internet Search: ntr23 via photopin cc
Food Styling: andyburnfield via photopin cc
Proviso:
Nothing in this blog constitutes medical advice. You should consult your own physician before making any dietary changes. Statements in this blog may or may not be congruent with current USDA or FDA guidance.