awareness
October 2008 
What are your rituals or beliefs around food?
Posted on Jun 22nd, 2008
by 
michaelsits
michaelsits
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for June 22, 2008:
Growing up with an Italian mom and family, everything is about and surrounds food. No decisions, arguments or discussions happened without garlic and olive oil close by. I have always been an incredible eater with an even more incredible appetite. Coupled with a really high motabolism translates into eating large quantities of food often and not gaining weight but spending time and money around food beyond most folks. I know most folks would be grateful to have such a motabolism, but it is not always what it seems. And, i happen to enjoy predominantly healthy foods, which is part of my digestive process as well. Somehow our culture desires eating bad and life as a stick-figure simultaneously and that is not what i am about nor desire.
Food is a transaction and expression of love for me, i got that from my mom and her legacy of food making the world right continues with me today. I love to cook for others and share food with others. It is also the way that those close to me figure out as the vehicle for getting me to do things i may not agree to otherwise. In my case, the old adage of food is a way to a\man's heart applies, but not just in romance.
I used to have rituals of prayer and reflection before meals, especially when i lived a vegan intentional community. At a certain point, the ritual became a ritual without carrying the same feeling for me. Part of this was the decision to include dairy, then this past october after fifteen years vegetarian, i began eating meat. This has changed my relationship to food and its origin. It i shard to honor a process i do not believe in so i have needed to pay less attention to the focus on where and how to continue to enjoy ad appreciate food the way i do. It is interesting balance that i have not mastered yet. Like everything, it is a work in progress.
thanks for the topic!
Access: Public
Hey, with a whole village of Italian relatives, I'm right there with you! Yay for olive oil, the goddess of all ingredients!
Yay for olive oil the goddess of all ingredients is a fact. Although garlic, avocado, pineapple and mango sure are at least demi-gods.
Thanks maggie!
grew up with an italian family….I love and am nourished by food….irony now I am unable to eat/digest many foods….ah the imagery of joyfully eating and being nourished by food.
thanks michael
Thanks KimmergyIt is one of my deepest fears that someday i will not be able to enjoy the food and the way i eat them the way i always have. I feel for you Kim.peace michael