What do you eat? Great question. I feel like when we were growing up, the processed food industry was so new, it was canned, boxed and convenient foods in our home too. I wanted different for me and my family. Whenever we travel, we make sure to take in the what the locals eat and learn about their cultures. Even our kids at a young age were exposed to this. There was a time when I was getting my kids into helping prep meals and cooking and we would have theme nights. We would pick a meal from a different culture, shop for the ingredients together and prep and make it.
Love this! I may answer “apple pie” to the question which entails a handwritten recipe from my mom who always made at least 2 when we had friends over.
What a lovely post. I especially like the question “tell me your story” instead of what do you do? That is so awkward to me.
Coming from an Italian heritage, pasta is certainly central to my cooking. Although most I had to learn on my own since the real Italian cooks in our family had passed by the time I was ready to learn. Unfortunately they wrote nothing down! So I turn to cookbooks and shows like Stanley Tucci.
Whether it’s your career or your “story,” it could lead to you being judged. I could tell you that I went to a girls only private school for middle and high school and have you think I’m some sort of spoiled brat (or at least grew up as one). If you find out where I live you’d probably judge as well. Even if I tell you the story of how my dad grew up in a family that barely made ends meet (but somehow managed to feed four kids plus a grandmother) and he eventually made his way to Canada.
This is why I like the “what do you eat” question above all. I feel like it keeps it from being associated with class or income level or anything else because everybody has to eat.
But what you eat ABSOLUTELY has to do with class and income. I don't eat a lot of ultra-processed foods and shop at certain stores associated with certain price points. I'm one of those "organic when possible" types. Doesn't that say A LOT? And food also associates with immigration/ethnicity/culture and maybe even how long your family has been here.
Sure, I get what you’re saying. I just don’t think it’s as loaded of a question all things considered as “what do you do”. For instance right now when people ask what do you do? It’s hard for us because my husband hasn’t had a job for over a year due to layoffs and I’m writing with the hopes it’s a full time income someday but right now it’s not. And because that’s a common question in the United States we have to field that question every time we meet new people. It’s refreshing when we meet people from other countries and that’s not the primary question asked because we don’t have to worry about it and we can just talk about life. I feel like “what do you eat?” speaks to more Parts of life.
Plus, generally when I’m asking people this question, they’re more reflective and responsive because it helps them reconnect to who they are.
Yes, that is a problem. My kids will probably say the same about me. Although, I now have many of my recipes on my website and soon coming over to Substack so I guess there's that. :) If only the internet had been around so they could have written a blog. My dream is to go to Italy and learn from an Italian Nonna how to make pasta. Have you seen Pasta Grannies on Instagram? https://www.instagram.com/pastagrannies/
I would ask, "what do you like best to eat". I eat fresh vegetables from the garden. Hand crafted sourdough bread. Eggs chickens created the afternoon before I cracked them open. Lean, organic thick elk steaks. Rhubarb pie (with Crisco and butter in the crust).
What do you eat? Great question. I feel like when we were growing up, the processed food industry was so new, it was canned, boxed and convenient foods in our home too. I wanted different for me and my family. Whenever we travel, we make sure to take in the what the locals eat and learn about their cultures. Even our kids at a young age were exposed to this. There was a time when I was getting my kids into helping prep meals and cooking and we would have theme nights. We would pick a meal from a different culture, shop for the ingredients together and prep and make it.
Love this! I may answer “apple pie” to the question which entails a handwritten recipe from my mom who always made at least 2 when we had friends over.
That must have been really good if she had to make two!
What a lovely post. I especially like the question “tell me your story” instead of what do you do? That is so awkward to me.
Coming from an Italian heritage, pasta is certainly central to my cooking. Although most I had to learn on my own since the real Italian cooks in our family had passed by the time I was ready to learn. Unfortunately they wrote nothing down! So I turn to cookbooks and shows like Stanley Tucci.
Whether it’s your career or your “story,” it could lead to you being judged. I could tell you that I went to a girls only private school for middle and high school and have you think I’m some sort of spoiled brat (or at least grew up as one). If you find out where I live you’d probably judge as well. Even if I tell you the story of how my dad grew up in a family that barely made ends meet (but somehow managed to feed four kids plus a grandmother) and he eventually made his way to Canada.
This is why I like the “what do you eat” question above all. I feel like it keeps it from being associated with class or income level or anything else because everybody has to eat.
But what you eat ABSOLUTELY has to do with class and income. I don't eat a lot of ultra-processed foods and shop at certain stores associated with certain price points. I'm one of those "organic when possible" types. Doesn't that say A LOT? And food also associates with immigration/ethnicity/culture and maybe even how long your family has been here.
Sure, I get what you’re saying. I just don’t think it’s as loaded of a question all things considered as “what do you do”. For instance right now when people ask what do you do? It’s hard for us because my husband hasn’t had a job for over a year due to layoffs and I’m writing with the hopes it’s a full time income someday but right now it’s not. And because that’s a common question in the United States we have to field that question every time we meet new people. It’s refreshing when we meet people from other countries and that’s not the primary question asked because we don’t have to worry about it and we can just talk about life. I feel like “what do you eat?” speaks to more Parts of life.
Plus, generally when I’m asking people this question, they’re more reflective and responsive because it helps them reconnect to who they are.
Food brings back so many memories! It can take you back to a time and place like nothing else can- just call me the restaurant critic in ratatouille
😂
Yes, that is a problem. My kids will probably say the same about me. Although, I now have many of my recipes on my website and soon coming over to Substack so I guess there's that. :) If only the internet had been around so they could have written a blog. My dream is to go to Italy and learn from an Italian Nonna how to make pasta. Have you seen Pasta Grannies on Instagram? https://www.instagram.com/pastagrannies/
I would ask, "what do you like best to eat". I eat fresh vegetables from the garden. Hand crafted sourdough bread. Eggs chickens created the afternoon before I cracked them open. Lean, organic thick elk steaks. Rhubarb pie (with Crisco and butter in the crust).