Growing up foodie

Born into a foodie family, I couldn't help but follow that route myself. Not chef foodies, farmers, or even those that are really into health. These people, my family, we just liked to eat food.

One of my favorite activities growing up, besides double dutch, was making macaroni, tomato, and cheese. I was encouraged to be messy, massaging the noodles, dispersing the cheese, and crumbling the crackers with my hands for the oh so crunchy topping. I ate Count Chocula regularly. Chicken in a Biskit crackers were often on the shelf. It was common for me to have 4 pieces of toast in a row soaked with butter and cinnamon sugar. On the weekends, my Dad and I would fry bologna, brown potatoes, scramble eggs, make orange juice, coffee, hot chocolate, and leisurely eat while we read the newspaper.

My mom was the enthusiast. She oooo'ed and aaaahhhhh'ed over aroma and taste. She is my role model for food excitement. Food is something to be excited over. Excited like jumping on a trampoline excited, joy that you can't contain. My mom was also the experimenter. "Sure Ness, you want to know what a grilled banana sandwich tastes like? No problem. Olive and tomato on toast with extra mayo? Sounds good."

I was not a happy 5 year old when she made the switch to being interested in the health component of food. That meant no more bubble gum ice cream for me. What it did do was plant the seed of awareness in me that not all food is good for your body. I ignored this concept most of my growing up years, until I reached adulthood and my body no longer let me eat crap.

Vegetarianism was my first turn towards healthier eating. I made that decision after being served a bloody burger, and stayed on that route for 9 years. But I noticed that even when I didn't eat meat, and ate "healthier," food still wasn't settling too well with me. I craved meat, and sugar. I gained weight. Felt bloated a lot. Major mood swings, even depressive funks that would take me a few days to get out of. I didn't get what I was doing wrong.

Food affected me so greatly and I didn't even know where to start with changing that. This was a big reason why I chose to change careers and become a wellness coach. I think about all the people out there that are struggling with life, yet don't make the food-mood connection. I feel compelled to help, inspire, and educate.

My love affair with food continues. Now, I follow my intuition and listen to the clues my body so blatantly leaves me when it comes to how food affects me. What do you notice about how food affects you? What's your foodie story?

Comments

[Shox R6 Shoes]

cream for me. What it did do was plant the seed of awareness in me that not all food is good for your body. I ignored this concept most of my growing up years, until I reached adulthood and my body no longer let me eat crap.

Vegetarianism was my first turn towards healthier eating. I made that decision after being served a bloody burger, and stayed on that route for 9 years. But I noticed that even when I didn't eat meat, and ate "healthier," food still wasn't settling too well with me. I craved meat, and sugar. I gained weight. Felt bloated a lot. Major mood swings, even depressive funks that would take me a few days to get out of. I didn't get what

[Shox R6 Shoes]

my first turn towards healthier eating. I made that decision after being served a bloody burger, and stayed on that route for 9 years. But I noticed that even when I didn't eat meat, and ate "healthier," food still wasn't settling too well with me. I craved meat, and sugar. I gained weight. Felt bloated a lot. Major mood swings, even depressive funks that would take me a few days to get out of. I didn't get what I was doing wrong.

Food affected me so greatly and I didn't even know where to start with changing that. This was a big reason why I chose to change careers and become a wellness coach. I think about all the people out there that are struggling with life, yet don't make the food-mood connection. I feel compelled to help, inspire, and educate.

My love affair with food continues