Happy Birthday, Big Brother

Well, my OLD brother turned 31 this week (yesterday) and tonight we had a celebration with the family. So, I want to send a shout-out to the old man. Happy Birthday, and I have a feeling that this is going to be a really good year for you (because the parenthesis are important).

Anyway, it got me thinking about food. Of course. Everything has me thinking about food. Food is wonderful, and delicious, and an important way that we celebrate, mourn, gather, thank. Food is a part of who we are. And, although I will talk about this some other time, it pains me to see the love-hate relationship so many people have with food. Food should be a good thing, not a battle (but like I said, that is for another blog). So anyway, I think its been a bit of a transition with family dinners, since my family are generally meat eaters. My mom has been great. I've assured her that she needn't change a thing about what she fixes. I think my only request has been to leave butter off of the vegetables, which she has done - thank you. If I need to, I bring my own protein source, and the whole thing doesn't have to be a big deal. Tonight, my brother requested steak - my dad does make the most amazing steak. I partook (is this even a word?) in the rest of the meal.

As we digested after dinner before going out to Maggie Moo's, my brother asked if I was even going to be able to eat anything at the ice cream joint. That's when I remembered the other thing about family gatherings. As much as food is there to be enjoyed, the gathering is about the people, not the food. I love getting to spend time with my wonderful family (even if it took us until after freaking 9pm to leave the house for ice cream...hehe), and not getting to have ice cream was no sacrifice at all. I just wanted to be with them.

I think this is universal for all people. Maybe you are diabetic, or have heart problems. Maybe you are trying to lose weight or just eat healthier in general. Remember that the gathering is about the people. You shouldn't have to spend your time worrying about the meal. Nobody will remember that you didn't have seconds of potatoes, or a big piece of steak, but they will remember your smile, and your laugh, and that you were there. That's what's important.

Okay, that was your after-school special for the day.

As a side note for all you vegans or lactose intolerant people out there...Maggie Moo's has two dairy free sorbets (which are yummy), and a lactose free vanilla (still contains dairy though). I had raspberry sorbet with blueberries after being pleasantly surprised that they had dairy free products at a place with "Moo" in the title. Yummy!