Love What You Eat

This is the time of year when everyone starts to feel guilty about the pleasures they have enjoyed (and yes, perhaps overindulged in) and so they make New Year’s Resolutions and try to repent with diets and fasts and plans to not eat as much of that rich stuff. I am not here to say you shouldn’t be healthy, but I have a wonderful example for you of why you should just enjoy what you eat and not feel bad afterwards.

I used to know a girl who enjoyed a wide range of foods. She ate a good breakfast and dinner every day, and then always had room for snacks in between. She liked biscuits and grapes and carrots and apples during the day – all pretty healthy things, really. But occasionally she would have a bit of ice cream or a wee bit of toast with peanut butter – those indulgences that most of us feel we probably shouldn’t be having but we enjoy them so much we can’t help it. I used to love the way she would just smile when she had these things, showing no remorse at all but rather sheer pleasure in the moment. That, I thought, was something to aspire to!

As my friend got older, she allowed herself more of these little indulgences, seeming to say that there was no reason she shouldn’t make the most of a long life. She was always willing to try something new, never turning her nose up at an experience. She made the most of everywhere she lived, enjoying the specialties of the region. In the evenings she would have an extra tidbit after dinner and it made me think of people saying they could lick the plate the meal was so good - that is how much she savoured every dish. She went for a walk every morning so she did keep a balanced lifestyle and wasn’t merely a couch potato (although she did enjoy a good bit of TV like the rest of us!)

My friend passed away over Christmas, and although I miss her very much I know that she would want me to remember that I should always enjoy life’s every moment – especially the food I eat and the company I keep. Those are the things that keep you going, after all. Her favourite song was “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and it really summed up her character well. I guess that is why I named her Satchmo. You see, the friend I speak of was my Chocolate Labrador Retriever. We had been companions for almost 15 years, so she had a lot of time to teach me things. This year, I resolve to remember Mo’s attitude about life whenever I grab a snack (whether it be a carrot stick or a cookie) and I shall smile and enjoy every last bite!

Here’s to you, Mo.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.