A Brief History of Why

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!