Food is Life

Food sustains life. We all HAVE to eat, but our meals should be so much more than a necessity. Food brings people together- it creates memories by indulging our senses, it is the center of many of our relationships from a first date dinner to a mother feeding her baby with a bottle, it helps us to celebrate (where would we be without turkey on Thanksgiving or beer on St. Patty's?) and, of course food is an art.

There are times when life flies by us as at amazing speed- the last few weeks of a semester in college, working overtime at the office- these are times when we eat for survival. We consume whatever is fast and easy and we don't think about it or even taste it. In the world today, this is unavoidable. But, the important thing is that when life slows back down we take the time to enjoy a meal. This means feeding our souls by stopping and really experiencing the food on our plates.

As a food scientist, I do think about food all day. I realize that this is not the case for most people, but I am asking you to experience your next meal. THINK about it, don't just eat the first food you come in contact with. Take a moment and enjoy the presence of food in your life. I think you'll be surprised with the overwhelming sense of comfort and relaxation this provides you.