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."
