Consumption

Now I'm gonna say a word that many of you have different attachments to or perceptions of. Some of you may think of this word and cringe, others may feel lost, and yet still others may be elated. The word? FOOD.

As human beings, we tend to have several different relationships with food. (and maybe that's the problem) The first and most used relationship: comfort. You hear the term "comfort food" all the time. Things like home-made macaroni & cheese, chicken pot pie (one of my personal favs.), and chocolate chip cookies (we won't mention how I feel about those). Today was a fairly stressful day for me. And when the "Easter Bunny" came around with that chocolate, you better believe I had some. Did it make me feel better? Well you could argue that it increased the dopamine in my brain and therefore technically made me happier, but that sugar high (which later resulted in a sugar crash) is temporary.

The second relationship: fun. These are things like nachos, pizza, the seven-layer dip your mom brings to the next cookout. Or it can be the beverage side: Mudslides, Martini's, Daquiri's... you get the point. Food is fun because it generally brings people together. Put a bowl of chips and salsa in the kitchen, you'll have company. Put a bowl of chips and salsa in the livingroom, the company will be there. Maybe it's because it's something to do besides talk? I don't know, I'll leave that speculation to you.

The third relationship: speed. I'm sure at some point in your life, you have said, "Let's go for a quick bite to eat." While this in itself isn't wrong, in these days, a quick bite to eat generally means, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and for you out of the box thinkers, Taco Bell. While good choices can be made at those "restaurants" (and I use that term loosely) generally, they are not.

As I have said before, food is fuel.

We have all had our fair share of bad relationships... whether it be friends, ex's, etc. The relationship with food should be one that gives back lasting results. (and I'm not talking about heartburn) Food is meant to sustain this thing called life and is to help us thrive.

How would you like it if you gave your friend a really cool expensive gift, and in turn they gave you a cow patty? (poo for those of you who may not know what that is) That is what you're doing when you consistently choose comfort, fun, or speed. Notice I said consistently. There is a key word here... moderation. With Easter coming, I will be partaking in the comfort relationship, but it's okay because I know that the day after, I'm choosing the fuel relationship again. I hope you'll join me.