One of the few activities that will forever be therapeutic for me is anything related to food. Inviting guests and family over? Feed the fam. Whether you’re having some alone time or spending quality time with friends, it is easy to bond with each other through food. You see, there is something about food; whatever cuisine it may be, that provides a certain comfort that more often than not, it binds your relationship with people- most especially those who are dear to you.
A few years ago, my sister and I sort of decided that whenever we dine out or whenever we plan dinner celebrations elsewhere, we make it a point to always try new cuisines and restaurant places. We seldom have travel opportunities but at least through food degustation, we were able to discover more distinct Filipino dishes and taste international cuisines.
But that’s the beauty of food, its sumptuous offerings will take you and let you fly to different places that you never imagined. Of course, there’s always “hit or miss” instances that will occasionally disappoint you. The cool news is, at all times, you acquire new experiences.
Take it from someone like me, whom ever since a child, it has already become my dream to be a chef. In fact, I even exerted two years of my academic life learning the basic techniques and other complexities of cooking and baking. The delightful thing about food is not always about its visual aesthetics or how appetizing it looks; instead, it is about food quality, how it satisfies you, what amazing stories come with it- and how did you enjoy it alone or with company.
However, if you’re a kind of person who is conscious and on the healthier side, there is also nothing wrong with that. Like what we always say, what we consume comes with a lot of consequences and it is up to us on how we deal with them. On the other hand, there are evidently numerous people who enjoy food leaning towards health wellness. If you ever find yourself going that path, or trying what kind of comfort and satisfaction it will provide you, there are a lot of homemade options that you can still enjoy discovering food. Additionally, there is also a plethora of choices and sources on the Internet that can help you on your journey towards food choices.
Even I had a phase where I became conscious about my weight and tried what kind of meal plan suits me well. I admit, there are a lot of choices alongside challenges that will really put pressure on how you consume food. I remember browsing through a lot of balanced diet meal plans and exercises that would help me overcome my insecurities. Which is why it delighted me when I discovered a dietician on TikTok who produces video contents about health and wellness. Like what she always reiterates, you always deserve to eat. You don’t have to feel guilty on rewarding yourself, or giving into your cravings sometimes. You can check out her content here if you’d like to know more about eating options, how you can enjoy fast food in a healthier way, and a lot of tips on how you can maintain or lose weight.
Moreover, if you are a vegetarian, vegan, or you’re planning to become one or consider any restrictions that you want to give up when eating, there are also no judgments and instead a lot of wonderful opportunities that will make you realize that you can still enjoy food regardless of the limitations that you might set. This includes considering your allergens, other dietary restrictions that you already established. I admit that I do not have specific regimen or restrictions in mind when it comes to food. In fact, I can also tell that I feel lucky because I was never picky with food, which allows me to discover and try more. It might not be obvious but I can enjoy fruits and vegetables anytime, anywhere. I think there’s a wordplay that goes along it, I can eat either the unhealthy or ‘dirty’ side and the healthy or ‘greener/earthy’ side. I have a favorite content creator that comes in mind whenever we talk about creative and unique vegan recipes. You can check Jecca’s food flight here.
Above all, I honestly believe and attest that as long as you enjoy your journey of discovering your food preferences and you take care and caution about your health, then there is nothing wrong with establishing your own choices. There is an incessant number of ingredients, spices, plants, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats that will allow you to create flavorful and satisfying food recipes. I am always grateful to have shared a lot of tables and laughs with my family and friends through food and it leaves me with hope that I can find more as long as it brings me and my company pleasure and satisfaction that let me go through places and phases I did not deem possible.
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