Is it time to eat yet?

Instead of sharing one particular meal this time (although my fluffy and light scrambled eggs this morning were purrrfect), I've decided to write about my love of "the meal", and how it has come to dictate my daily life in a simply fabulous way...

I realize I should move to Europe (I'm thinkin' France) so that I won't appear as much of a misfit when it comes to eating.  Here in America, where more people eat in their cars than at their kitchen table, the "meal" has taken a backseat to everything else going on in our lives, and joining it in the backseat?  You guessed it: our health.

Not for me, baby.  And anyone who knows me will attest to the truth of the following statements:  There is not a chance in hell I will miss a meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  I have dropped out of clubs because they met at dinnertime, I have missed many a meeting or get together, I question the intelligence of schools when they schedule concerts, plays, or conferences between the 6 and 7 pm dinner hour, and whenever I'm on a road trip I am always planning on where we'll be at mealtime so I can start salivating ahead of time.

And I'm equally confused as to how people don't eat three meals a day...when I'm in the mall food court and it's 3 pm, I want to ask people: "Is this your lunch?  Dinner?  Snack?  Are you not going to eat the rest of the day?  Don't you know you're spoiling your appetite for later?  What the hell is wrong with you people?!"

So my husband and I received an invitation for an upcoming Christmas party, and it read: Join us for cocktails and music at 6 pm!  Naturally, my husband wasn't surprised by my reaction (and had his usual giggle at my response):  "6 pm?" I stated, crinkling my forehead in confusion.  "Are they not serving dinner?  Are we supposed to go to dinner afterwards?  Are we expected to only have cocktails without food?  When are we going to eat?  What the hell is wrong with these people?!"

Even now, as I type, I am watching the clock and getting ready to go out to lunch with my hubby.  I ate a delicious breakfast early this morning, and then enjoyed a miniature chocolate bar from my kids' Halloween candy for a mid morning snack, and now my stomach is - just like clockwork - beginning to grumble for whatever is coming next. 

Trust me when I tell you this is a fabulous way to live!  And I am confident this enjoyment (not obsession, that's an American trait I don't possess) of food is what enables me to also enjoy great health.  I don't eat all day long, I don't shove food in my mouth and then regret it later, I don't feel guilt or shame when I've eaten something not so healthy, and I definitely don't deny myself, starve myself, or have any negative feelings about food whatsoever.  And that, my friends, is the secret to a happy and healthy life!

Off I go, to sit at the table, peruse the menu, order something delicious, enjoy great conversation, and then EAT!  Food is Life...treat yourself to a great meal 3 times a day and you'll be sure to keep the doctor away:)

Here's to your next fabulous meal!

Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie

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