In love with food?

What does your food tell you about you?

For my homework on my naturopathic nutrition course, Emma Jones our lovely course leader asked the questions below.

They seemed innocent, until I settled down to answer them.  I sat in bed and tried to recall memories.  It was difficult, as if the pictures lay crumpled and stuck in the creases of my mind, refusing to be budged.  I slept on them.  During the daylight hours, visions crept up unannounced, something was bugging me and it was food.  Not what was on my plate or in the fridge, it was the emotions these simple questions evoked.

Over the next few days, I started to journal, scribble and mind map, allowing what came to mind to flow in without question and to later try to analyse what it all meant and what use I could make of it all.

As I wrote my conclusions this morning I realise I am still processing the information and until I write down everything it will sit devilish like on my shoulders, taunting me.  There are things I need to let go off and some fascinating insights into my relationship with food and people.

I offer you these questions, not because I want you to feel what I did, but to challenge you to allow memories to stir and see where it takes you.

• Tell me the story of how you learned to cook?
• What were your favourite childhood foods?
• What were the first dishes you can remember making?
• What were you favourite sweets?
• How has the food you have eaten through your lifetime changed?
• What is the most unusual food or drink you have ever tasted.

I left this answer in…. it has to be the worm from a bottle of Mescal that my friend Jane and I convinced ourselves would be hallucinogenic rather than full of poison.  We shared it.  Yuk!  Oh the folly of youth….

• What family traditions do you have around food?
•  Favourite memory of a family meal, or a meal with friends
•  Describe what would make up your favourite meal.  If this was you last meal what would it be?
• What are your favourite drinks?
• Describe your most memorable meal of all meals?
• Best restaurant you have experienced?
• Who has influenced you most with your food and cooking?
• Most disastrous cooking experience?
• Who would you invite to a dinner party living or dead?
• Describe your perfect day, breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Where would you like to be on your food journey at the end of this year