Where I'm From...

Yes, I derived my title from a country song.

Recently, I've been doing some reflection on where my life is, where it's going, and what's important (and what's not). One of the important things (well, next to food and nutrition... my "bread and butter" haha) is knowing your history and where you come from.

After the recent loss of a family member, our family had done some reflecting and "good ol' times" talking. My dad, for years, was talking about this painting he had done during one of his summer jobs as a fire tower lookout guy. He's not really the "artsy" type, so I was fascinated by the fact that he had stood on a ladder and painted a map of central Mass, from the view of the lookout tower on Mt. Wachusett... on the CEILING of the 10'x10 room 100 feet up in the air. Now, not to reveal the age of my father, we'll just say that he did this Michaelangelo-inspired painting "many years ago." For years, he's wondered if that darn thing still existed, or if it was painted over. Well, I surprised him by arranging a visit to the tower. After a gut-wrenching walk up 100 narrow and steep stairs, to our atonishment, the map lives on, and is even used as a training tool for new fire lookout guys. I just felt like this was an important part of his history, and I was so honored to know that his contribution had helped others keep Central Mass forest fire-safe.

Part of knowing "where you're from" is having a rich food culture. As an American, I'm not particularly proud of our culinary culture. I don't feel like I belong or even want the burger and fries pride. As a result, I have been working to create my own food-culture pride, by working on and recreating recipes that represent me and my family. It's so important to me (and obviously to other people and cultures that have come before) to use food as a way to pass down stories and history. As a woman, this is also of utmost importance to me. Women have historically been the meal makers and the passers of food traditions. Eventually, I'd like to have my own collection of recipes and foods that represent me and the women that have influenced my food choices along the way.

As a result, I am beginning to collect stories and recipes that represent YOU and your food culture. Many first generation immigrants have rich food cultures, but this is quickly lost as they assimilate into American culture. In fact, I almost had my head bit off yesterday when I conducted a multicultural meal for Head Start parents. I told one woman that we would be changing her Fried Plantain recipe to Baked Plantains instead. It was like I had stabbed her in the heart. How could I take this piece of her culture and modify it? Who was I to do that? She was right; and that's okay, but what I see is these less-than-healthy traditions get combined with the American food culture, and then we have a problem. So, how do we sustain the tradition but infuse some healthy aspect into it?

So the question to you is: How do you define your food-culture pride? What recipes or traditions have been passed down to you that represent you and your family? What recipe has your mom given you that is priceless? How have you made less-than-healthy family traditions or recipes more healthful? Or even, what food habit/tradition have you picked up from your food blog family?

Tell me your story.

Who knows? Maybe I can even turn this into a book about America's Healthy Food Culture Pride. :-) Or how about The Food Blogger Diet? Diet books are always a money-maker. Any book publishers up for the challenge?

Email me your thoughts, stories, and recipes to afeteforfood@gmail.com. I'd love to hear about you and your culture.

Upcoming Events:
TONIGHT!: Eat, Drink, and Be Fair Event with Elizabeth, the marathoner!
10/22: Boston BLOGtoberfest 2009 at 28 Degrees Boston w/ Janel & Elizabeth
10/28: Central Mass. Dietetic Assoc. Event, Jumpin' Juice & Java, Worcester, MA
11/1: Vegfest
11/5: Foodbuzz Blogger Festival