Heroes Not Zombies

I’ve been browsing January photos in my library and back in the 2004 folder I found this one. This was taken from the breakfast room of a hotel in Antigua.

Of course old photos from trips taken and places visited bring back personal memories and that holiday in Antigua was a good one. Apart from the island, the weather, the scenery etc I especially remember the people. The friendly welcomes and laid back joy in living seemed everywhere. That mixture of “chill” and joyfulness still seems pretty unique to me….a blend of calm and excitement which is really not something you’d expect to find in the same moment.

However, looking at this image again today, my train of thought sets off down the track of the importance of context and setting in our diets.

Our diets? Well, yes, January is a time for resolutions and life decisions for many people. This year there’s a push on vegan diets under the banner of “Veganuary”, and, as usual, there are articles everywhere about “healthy” diets, weight loss diets, “detox” diets and so on.

Over the years I’ve studied many different diets and eating patterns and I reached the point of believing there is no such thing as the one best diet. We are all different. Our bodies handle different food groups differently. We live in different cultures and traditions. And so on. However I’m pretty convinced that a largely plant based diet is a good way to go, and that the less processing, spraying and chemical treatments our food undergoes between its growth and our consumption the better. So I tend towards looking for fresh, reasonably local, ingredients appearing on a seasonal basis.

But that’s not what I was thinking about when I looked at this photo. Instead I was thinking of those other elements and factors which I consider important in “healthy” eating and “good” diets – that is, the circumstances of our “eating events”. Ok, kinda weird phrase that but what I mean is the place where we eat a particular meal, the physical environment of that place, the people sharing that place, or meal, with us.

I’m not sure we give enough attention to all that.

But I reckon when I think of my most memorable meals, what food was on the plate is only a part of that memory. The place where I ate, the circumstances of the meal and who I shared that meal with are all important. They all contribute to making it a memorable meal.

I think that hints at something which is important in “ordinary”, everyday life. Where do you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner? What plates, cutlery etc do you use? How is the table or room decorated? Is there music playing? What do you see when you lift your eyes from the table? Who do you share that time with?

Do you get the idea? It’s about transcending a utilitarian approach to food that over emphasises ingredients or food groups. It’s about relishing, enjoying, delighting in, celebrating the eating experience as a whole.

We don’t have to eat unthinkingly, on automatic pilot, gobbling something down fast before getting on to whatever comes next. We can be more aware, and more deliberate, or conscious.

Some of this comes from the ideas of the “slow” movement which started with “slow cities” and “slow food”. It’s the opposite of fast food culture, the opposite of instant gratification. Time and care given to preparation, presentation and presence.

Try it for yourself. Slow down, take your time and be present. See what’s around you, engage with your fellow diners, appreciate the beauty of your environment (physical, social, cultural and natural)

Then ask yourself what you’d like to change about the way you eat. After all, eating is about more than ingredients.