What a beautiful post! The photos, the handwritten piece, all of it, just lovely. It's good to learn about the way a family eats and how that impacts us.
Thank you Amela…this was a very personal one for me. I look forward to you being part of our gatherings and hearing you read your always wonderful stories 💕.
There's so much that I like about this Elizabeth!! I especially love that you shared part of your handwritten version too. It's wonderful to see you pouring your thoughts on the page in your beautiful loopy handwriting.
And I totally hear you on the processed foods that seemed so intriguing when my classmates and friends were eating it.
Thanks Mira! If you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you know how much I could totally relate to the “weird” lunch scene (although I walked home for lunch every day 😊). I SO wanted that PBJ jar of goop, and there was no way my mother was having any of it!
Writing this piece has really made me think about my food history and how my heritage has shaped me. It’s especially true as we start our Italian holiday. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 💕
Thank you for sharing another family story with your reading audience. Food and what we eat is so complicated. It is a basic human need that, I summize, many may not give it much thougtht. I have such a complex relationship with food that it is something I am so aware of every waking day. For me the complexity lies in the pyschological scars that are deeply embedded in my head as it relates to food. The good news is that I feel grateful that I love to cook because I am able to enjoy food on my own terms and, in turn, share the products from my kitchen with those I love.
And I love to eat the delicious food that comes from your kitchen, always made with love and care. That is the shared legacy we both carry in our hearts. Love you, big sis 💕. Hope you are having an amazing trip so far!
Such wonderful memories shared here in this piece Elizabeth. Our relationships with food are so complex and layered aren’t they. I always ask my patients in clinic about their childhood table and what they learned about food in their family. It helps me and the client to start to understand some aspects of how they relate to food.
As for the abundance on the table, I’ve got a good dose of this too. But I’m blessed with being the slowest eater in the world, so my satiety reflex has kicked in before I finish.
And I am the world’s fastest eater…or was. That shift lone hs really helped me process food both physically and mentally. There is no doubt food is a complicated yet beautiful thing. Thanks for reading Lisa 💕
Thank you Shell! I loved hearing you read esp as I know you are not one to push yourself forward. I could so strongly relate to your piece—it seems a few of us followed similar themes. It’s such a lovely supportive group—I’m so glad you’re part of it 💕
I love that you wrote it with a pen too - for reasons unknown, different words often come out then actual writing rather than typing is involved…not necessarily better but so often just different
Thank you so much Mark…I really appreciate your kind words.
Digging up those photos brought back so many more memories. My mother used that table to make everything—pasta, gnocchi her twice yearly pannetone production, tomato sauce. I only wish I had more photos of the process!
I always look forward to seeing what you have written about the same prompt and as usual I was not disappointed. I think I would recognise your gentle warm style even if your name wasn’t mentioned. I loved the childhood pictures and I also pass my plate to my husband. Lovely!
Powerful, honest words, beautifully written again Elizabeth. I think you hit the nail on the head with
“Perhaps it is the immigrant’s story—the understanding that coming to an unfamiliar place is no guarantee that it will, in fact, be the land of plenty.”
That fear of not having enough food.
I love that you pass your unfinished plate to your husband just as I do! I think many of us have struggled with our relationship with food at some stage.
Thank you so much Caroline! I loved digging out those photo treasures and reminiscing about our family table.
These gatherings have been so inspiring for me. To see how others think about writing is a real gift, isn’t it? And it is such a gentle supportive group 💕
I love your posts. Not just the stories but how you tell them and the pictures that often accompany these stories. I love being drawn in to your world of cooking, eating and family love. And of course I love all the other stories, especially the one about the whales with the exquisite pictures. Thank you for adding colour to my morning.
Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth. I also grew up in a home where there was always an overflowing variety of food every where. My mother struggled post war, so food security went the other direction when we moved to the states to supermarkets with endless rows of ingredients. We had three refrigerators and two chest freezers… For a family of four. My mother would not cook for just us. She would cook so much that we were constantly giving food away to friends, neighbors, and even to teachers. I guess it has always been her love language. Anyways- So resonated. Way to address the relationship you have with food from then to now. Powerful!
Thank you Aki! So glad this resonated. My parents were also post-WWII immigrants. Nothing was wasted and everything was precious. To be able to offer bounty at the table was incredibly important, wasn’t it? Thank you for sharing! 💕
Indeed! It’s why it’s sometimes very hard to read people offering simplistic solutions to issues they’ve never dealt with. And it is also why i love your science-based and practical approach to “eating and feeding” 💕
What a beautiful post! The photos, the handwritten piece, all of it, just lovely. It's good to learn about the way a family eats and how that impacts us.
I am so sorry I missed yet another gathering.
Thank you Amela…this was a very personal one for me. I look forward to you being part of our gatherings and hearing you read your always wonderful stories 💕.
I want to be there for the wonderful company.
There's so much that I like about this Elizabeth!! I especially love that you shared part of your handwritten version too. It's wonderful to see you pouring your thoughts on the page in your beautiful loopy handwriting.
And I totally hear you on the processed foods that seemed so intriguing when my classmates and friends were eating it.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Mira! If you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you know how much I could totally relate to the “weird” lunch scene (although I walked home for lunch every day 😊). I SO wanted that PBJ jar of goop, and there was no way my mother was having any of it!
Oh wow! Cheez Whiz sounds great.
It really was! 🤓
Aaahhh I’m like you and like your mom, and my mom is like your mom too :) lovely piece, Elizabeth.
Writing this piece has really made me think about my food history and how my heritage has shaped me. It’s especially true as we start our Italian holiday. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 💕
Thank you for sharing another family story with your reading audience. Food and what we eat is so complicated. It is a basic human need that, I summize, many may not give it much thougtht. I have such a complex relationship with food that it is something I am so aware of every waking day. For me the complexity lies in the pyschological scars that are deeply embedded in my head as it relates to food. The good news is that I feel grateful that I love to cook because I am able to enjoy food on my own terms and, in turn, share the products from my kitchen with those I love.
And I love to eat the delicious food that comes from your kitchen, always made with love and care. That is the shared legacy we both carry in our hearts. Love you, big sis 💕. Hope you are having an amazing trip so far!
Thank you little sis! Our trip is amazing! Wishing the same for you!!!
It’s perfect!! ❤️
Such wonderful memories shared here in this piece Elizabeth. Our relationships with food are so complex and layered aren’t they. I always ask my patients in clinic about their childhood table and what they learned about food in their family. It helps me and the client to start to understand some aspects of how they relate to food.
As for the abundance on the table, I’ve got a good dose of this too. But I’m blessed with being the slowest eater in the world, so my satiety reflex has kicked in before I finish.
And I am the world’s fastest eater…or was. That shift lone hs really helped me process food both physically and mentally. There is no doubt food is a complicated yet beautiful thing. Thanks for reading Lisa 💕
that was a good read, thanks for sharing! here’s a post I wrote on kind of the same theme that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I enjoyed yours.
https://edzos.substack.com/p/appetites
Thanks for sharing Eddie—I really enjoyed the read!
Thank you so much for sharing your piece Elizabeth, I love it! Beautifully written!
I was also delighted to see the picture of your beautiful scribbles. My note book is much the same. ❤️
Thank you Shell! I loved hearing you read esp as I know you are not one to push yourself forward. I could so strongly relate to your piece—it seems a few of us followed similar themes. It’s such a lovely supportive group—I’m so glad you’re part of it 💕
Aw thank you! I knew I had to go first, or else I wouldn't do it!
Oh thank you so much. I want to polish it a bit more before I post it. It is such a lovely supportive group - I’m so glad you are there too! 💕
This is a beautiful look into the making of you and I so appreciate you sharing❤️
Thank you so much Kalee! I am loving being part of this wonderfully supportive group and have really enjoyed your writing in it 💕
I love that you wrote it with a pen too - for reasons unknown, different words often come out then actual writing rather than typing is involved…not necessarily better but so often just different
It’s a real pain afterwards but I am such a horrendous typist that in the end it saves me time! Plus all my little scribbles help guide my chaos 😊
And thank you for the share 💕
I love this Elizabeth! Such great words but also the photos and that yellow table is just perfect. A real pleasure
Thank you so much Mark…I really appreciate your kind words.
Digging up those photos brought back so many more memories. My mother used that table to make everything—pasta, gnocchi her twice yearly pannetone production, tomato sauce. I only wish I had more photos of the process!
I always look forward to seeing what you have written about the same prompt and as usual I was not disappointed. I think I would recognise your gentle warm style even if your name wasn’t mentioned. I loved the childhood pictures and I also pass my plate to my husband. Lovely!
Thanks for your lovely comments Marjan! I too very much look forward to our monthly gatherings. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve written 💕
Powerful, honest words, beautifully written again Elizabeth. I think you hit the nail on the head with
“Perhaps it is the immigrant’s story—the understanding that coming to an unfamiliar place is no guarantee that it will, in fact, be the land of plenty.”
That fear of not having enough food.
I love that you pass your unfinished plate to your husband just as I do! I think many of us have struggled with our relationship with food at some stage.
I loved your childhood family photos. Priceless.
Thank you so much Caroline! I loved digging out those photo treasures and reminiscing about our family table.
These gatherings have been so inspiring for me. To see how others think about writing is a real gift, isn’t it? And it is such a gentle supportive group 💕
Couldn’t agree more Elizabeth. It’s a wonderful forum for sharing, learning and supporting. Could
I love your posts. Not just the stories but how you tell them and the pictures that often accompany these stories. I love being drawn in to your world of cooking, eating and family love. And of course I love all the other stories, especially the one about the whales with the exquisite pictures. Thank you for adding colour to my morning.
Ah Mahita your lovely comment made me so happy! Thank you for sharing your appreciation of my little missives—that brings me immense joy 💕
Thank you for sharing, Elizabeth. I also grew up in a home where there was always an overflowing variety of food every where. My mother struggled post war, so food security went the other direction when we moved to the states to supermarkets with endless rows of ingredients. We had three refrigerators and two chest freezers… For a family of four. My mother would not cook for just us. She would cook so much that we were constantly giving food away to friends, neighbors, and even to teachers. I guess it has always been her love language. Anyways- So resonated. Way to address the relationship you have with food from then to now. Powerful!
Thank you Aki! So glad this resonated. My parents were also post-WWII immigrants. Nothing was wasted and everything was precious. To be able to offer bounty at the table was incredibly important, wasn’t it? Thank you for sharing! 💕
Indeed! It’s why it’s sometimes very hard to read people offering simplistic solutions to issues they’ve never dealt with. And it is also why i love your science-based and practical approach to “eating and feeding” 💕