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Let’s face it – I like to eat!
Since being a young child, I have been fascinated (or as some might say – “obsessed”) with food. This fascination has bordered on being perhaps a bit particular about what I like to eat. As a kid I refused to eat off of the children’s menu, insisting instead on sharing an ‘adult’ meal with my sister. The idea of eating fast food disgusted me as a child, as did frozen dinners and processed food. Going out for dinner to an interesting restaurant at the ripe age of twelve years old sounded so much more appealing! In high school, I saved up whatever money I made to use for a fancy dinner once in every blue moon. And as I have gotten older, I continue to try new restaurants, unique ingredients, and interesting products. I love cook, but often regret cooking as it takes opportunity away from trying an interesting dish at a restaurant. I spend a lot of time watching Alton Brown to perfect my culinary abilities, but also Anthony Bourdain to figure out where I should eat next. Ah, dilemmas.
The problem with the love of eating, is that food typically equals calories, and calories typically equals weight. How do I balance my love of food, and a strong desire to stay healthy? The answer is in the question – balance.
Recognizing that my calorie count would add up too quick without moderation, I look for ways to enjoy good food that is healthy. I’m fortunate to have a real love for vegetables. A tray of roasted butternut squash or Brussels sprouts makes me swoon. A little olive oil adds some real balance and depth, without racking up the calorie and fat count. Similarly, if I decide to bake a homemade rhubarb crumble tart with cardamom rose ice cream as happens time-to-time, I’ll be sure to have only a small piece and scoop.
But even with small pieces of tart, small scoops of ice cream, and vegetables, I need to ensure that I’m going that extra mile to stay healthy. And for that, I try to run. Exercise is relaxing and enjoyable for many – but for me, it’s more of a means to an end (eating). I typically feel good after a nice long run knowing that I can justify trying that new Neopolitan pizza restaurant that everyone is talking about.
I’m certainly not perfect in my eating habits. To me the cost of perfection would take away too much of the joy I derive from eating. But by at least adding a bit of balance, I help ensure that I can both live to eat, and eat to live.
