I don't get it. It drives me batty, and I may never get it. WHY do people only seem to want to get together if there is FOOD involved? WHY! Why can't we just play together? Why can't we just hang out? Why does everything with other humans have to involve FOOD? Ugh.
Before you think that my family did not eat together, don't. It was almost a religion in our home to eat dinner together... at the same time, as a family. Even breakfast was often together, even if it was just cereal.
Still, I don't get it. I don't want to cook for you, I don't want to waste a precious hour of our hour and a half together on a stupid meal. Seriously. WHY does it all have to revolve around FOOD.
And while I am at it the 'world' just takes too long to eat too! haha, I really need to slow down and chew more. But still, almost everyone I know, takes more time to 'prepare' their plate (after it arrives at the table) than I do to eat the whole thing! What is up with that? I so don't get it. Again, why can't we just hang out... with each other, and not have the condition of a meal present... just be with each other!
7 comments:
I just had a chance to read and catch up. Wow, we are a lot alike. My son had food sensitivities too (could we share recipes??), and I absolutely would rather clean the entire house than cook one meal. Still, everyone thinks they need to eat around here. On the days that I mess up (often), I remind myself to move toward what I want from where I am right now. And, yes, I believe in cutting myself some slack. I will never get it just perfect, but I will do the best I can. There is never a day that I get up and think, "I think I'll botch this day." I truly do the best I can, which can get better because I continue to try. I'm willing to bet that you do the same. And the interesting thing is that I learned all this from my son with the food sensitivities and autism. From him, I've learned to look at his "tries" as the best he can for now and to cheer for the attempts and then I decided to apply that mindset all around...to myself, my other kids, everyone around me, and it helps me cope. You are doing the best you can, and since you continue to do your best, your best will continue to get better.
I don't think America is obsessed with food. I think America is obsessed with weight. If we were obsessed with food McDonald's would not exist! Haha. As one who loves to cook, and loves to cook for her family and friends, the dinner table is the one place we get to sit and reconnect after a busy day of work, school, and whatever else we have. Incidentally, in our Microwave Society of wanting everything instantly, we have come to eat faster and faster. Restaurants shove you out the door to turn the tables. This has, in part, led to overall weight gain. Studies show that it takes a while for our brain to catch up with our stomachs in feeling full. If you actually slow down when you eat, you will feel full before you have eaten too much. I personally don't feel it's a waste of my time to sit and enjoy visiting with my friends over a glass of wine while I prepare dinner. Some of my best conversations have happened while standing at the stove while friends sit at the counter. I used to hate cooking but once I learned a few basics, I found it a way to express my creativity and decompress. You run. I cook. Meals are only about the food if you make them so. Try slowing down every now and then at a meal...focus less on the food you are eating and getting done as fast as possible, and instead focus on enjoying the people you are with. I can see it now, one of my favorite meals, beef fondue, would drive you up the wall I bet...hahaha.
Amy, obviously your children are not still two, and your friends with two year olds are not asking you over JUST to eat. ;) I want my 2 year old OUT of my hair for 10 solid minutes... just once a week. And I don't want to have to deal with making sure food is making it to my mouth, and not landing on my chest, for those 10 minutes, while also trying to stuff the food that I had to bring with me, since he cannot eat the crap everyone else eats, into my very distracted 2 year old's mouth. All while trying to keep said two year old in his seat for all of those 10 minutes. It is all just too much work for absolutely NO payout. Just hanging out, that is great. While eating? No, that is annoying. Too many P's & Q's to mind for it to be any 'fun'.
Give me some ice tea and a backyard, and I will talk your ear off. Put the same thing around a table, and all the fun is sucked right out of the room.
Ans PS.. I will never slow down, and for the love of God, please never have me over for Fondue. The etiquette I would violate on that just give me hives thinking about it!
J you should see me inhale food at an outing, lol.It's like a shark feeding frenzy. Anyway i hear you about the eats gathering. We do the same thing in the meet ups and why is it always at a Mexican food restaurant.
Have you tried feeding your two year old BEFORE you join your friends out to eat or whatever. That way you don't have to worry about said 2 yr olds nutrition requirements they will have already been met and you can relax a little . Let the little much on crackers or something else said two year old is allowed to have. Just a thought. Jinx!
So much of what we do has food as it's core. Celebrations, birthdays, get togethers, it's inevitable! Hang in there!
GIRL.. how did i miss THIS post! I totally agree with you!
I think the frustration comes when our food choices (due to allergies, or other "limiting" situations) are not taken into consideration by others. MY frustrations comes when other people get upset when I refuse (politely) not to eat a certain item(s) they are serving. OR people comment on my lack of "this or that" on my plate... I am the one eating here.. Its MY plate.. so leave me alone!
Its interesting... I DO think people are food addicts.. for sure... and most people are very uneducated and aware of what they are actually putting in their bodies. I started at a young age with my children .. teaching them to read food labels and knowing what they are choosing to eat.... if they want to eat BHT or HFCS or caffeine when they get older.. or at friends houses.. thats fine.. but at least they are not clueless as to why they feel bad later and they are educated on the food choices they are making.
but the social aspect of all this IS frustrating... Most people just shovel whatever in their mouths.. they NEVER connect their health with what they are putting in their body. ( i know cause i use to be one of them!)
the constant watching the sweet 2 year old would be a daunting task for sure.. I will be praying for you and your little one as you navigate this time in your lives.. the good news is.. 2s dont last forever :)
hang in there :)
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