Maybe you are starting to notice a pattern with my blog. Hmm, there don't seem to be many recipes featuring meat on this site, not a lot of dairy either. There are a lot of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. Occasionally there are some unhealthy "splurge" options, but in general things look pretty healthy. You may even notice I use real sugar in my recipes. Or that I suggest whole wheat flour.
I have loved food for a long time. As long as I can remember. So I can't even mark a point where my story begins. But I can say that while I was in my undergraduate studies in English at Millersville University, I started experimenting more in the kitchen. When my mom worked late, I enjoyed testing out new recipes on my dad. There exists a feeling so satisfying upon tasting a savory meal of your own creation. In those years, I learned to love a gas stove, Dad enjoyed the cooking, it was a win win.
During my time at Millersville, my mom had a bout with cervical pre-cancer which really shook me. I somehow developed a view that diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's were inevitable for the human condition. I had several relatives that suffered and some even died from such illnesses. What a morbid outlook.
Towards the end of my years at Millersville, I started to become more active. I lived an active lifestyle in high school, but ate like your typical unconcerned teenager. My philosophy at that time:
I'm small enough, I work out, the world cannot hurt me. We are talking "eat a full bag of chips, chomp down an extra long slim jim, and wash it all down with kidney-stone-creating Turkey Hill Iced Tea." Yea.
But alas, I became more active and frequented a nearby gym where I lifted weights, did a little cardio on some machines, and concentrated on my core. I loved the definition I was getting.
But I remembered my mom, and my grandfather that died before retirement of a heart attack, and my dad's high cholesterol. And I began to realize that just because I look healthy on the outside doesn't necessarily mean I'm functioning properly on the inside.
I became well acquainted with a co-worker Becky at my library job. She ate certain foods I never even heard of and tried to lead a healthy lifestyle, always seeking new knowledge in studies and books. My love of books dates back to who knows when as well, so naturally... I started to read.
And so that is why, friends. That is why I try to eat right. Two reasons really.
1. I love food, and
2. What I learned (mostly through books) about the food we eat and how it impacts our bodies.
I hope this day finds you well. More recipes to come, of course. :)
Chao!
