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Blogging about food

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 I have been blogging for four years. I started out writing in my journal as a part of therapy, and realized I had a talent for writing. I transitioned to writing my thoughts for an audience by starting a personal blog. I learned a lot about myself by putting my thoughts and emotions on paper, especially for all the world to see. I even had a few of my essays published. Each one led me to a new subject, and I have learned so much along the way. This is the first time I've blogged about food. Well, one of my personal blogs revolved around a special dish I make...Jag. But that was sort of the background to the more personal story I was writing. This blog here is strictly about food, my thoughts on food, and aspects of food that I have learned in class. I like the idea of this food blog, and our discussion posts. It's interesting to learn about something in school, then reflect on it personally. By answering the prompts, I had to dig a little deeper than just spewing out what was
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Bangers

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 I went to London when I was 24. I had just broken up with my boyfriend (who later ended up becoming my current ex-husband) and felt I needed a fresh start. My coworker at a local restaurant here on Cape Cod was from Ireland and was moving to London to go to school. She invited me to tag along. She went there a month before me, and secured our flat in Edmonton, a so-so suburb of London. By the time I got there, she had gotten herself a job, started college, and met a boyfriend (now her husband.) I went there with only a few hundred dollars in my pocket, assuming I'd figure it out. Turns out, I went at the start of the rainy season, missed my ex terribly, and felt like the third wheel with my roommate. I couldn't find a job because you need a visa and went through my cash pretty quickly. I lasted three weeks before I came home. However, I packed a lot into those three weeks. I was really excited to try authentic fish and chips. Having grown up on Cape Cod, I'd eaten fish and
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Boat Food

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 I'm a boater. When I was married, we got a boat when the kids were little. I wasn't a big fan of it, as I spent most of the time holding on to the kids to make sure they didn't fall out, and I had to pack up everything while their dad did all the driving and fun stuff. Let me tell you, packing food for a family of four (plus guests) wasn't easy. Once we got to the beach, or just out on the water, I would break out the grill and cook up burgers, hot dogs, sausages, etc. It made a mess, and was a lot of work. But to be honest, a burger tastes soooo much better on the beach than it does in the living room. And, my kids loved it. So, I did it. Over and over again, because that's how moms roll. Once the kids got older, I enjoyed the boat more. But, my ex-husband and I had different views on how we should spend our time on the boat. He liked going fast, going fishing...always being on the move. I liked going over to the sand bar, anchoring, and just chilling out in the s
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Family holiday dinners

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 We get together with extended family for all the major holidays; Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We eat the same thing every year. Thanksgiving is your typical American dinner consisting of Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, various pies, stuffing, cranberry sauce and a few other miscellaneous items. We get together on Christmas Eve, and order from this local place called "Mike's." We get platters of lasagna, chicken and broccoli alfredo and garlic bread. I bake ham and people bring appetizers and desserts. My mother-in-law brings swedish meatballs and some type of fish that's possibly pickled herring or something like that. They are Swedish, and I'm not, so I haven't had the courage to try that fish, as it just looks so... gross. But, I do love the Swedish meatballs, so there's that. And at Easter, we eat a lamb dinner...mint jelly and all. I don't particularly like lamb, nor mint jelly, but I eat it. I eat it because it's been a traditio
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Global Influences

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 When approached with the question, "How much of your food has global rather than local influences?" I had to pause. My first thought was of how my boys and I make fajitas and tacos ALL the time! That's Mexican, right? And all our pasta dishes? Italian! Of course, as I went a bit more below the surface, I of course realized that American versions of global foods isn't necessarily as global as we think it is. Do people living in Mexico make their tacos with Ortega pre-packaged shells and seasonings? I doubt it. Do they even eat tacos? I think they must, as tortillas are a staple for them, based upon my reading of South America and maize. But if I had to guess, I would think they use fresher ingredients. There's probably fresh, hand-made tortillas at the market. People probably make them at home all the time. And I doubt they buy a packet of seasoning to rip open. They probably use spices and fresh veggies. I make fish tacos, but it's frozen gluten free cod from
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Eating Out

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I enjoy cooking, just about as much  as I enjoy eating out. When I eat out, it's for different reasons. Sometimes, eating out is a matter of necessity. A long day of work or kid's sporting events or concerts often doesn't allow time or energy for a home cooked meal. When we eat out for these reasons, it's not as social as it probably should be. Often, when I'm with my teenage boys, a lot of the time is spent with them looking at their phones (and myself sometimes, if I'm being completely honest) or rushing through the meal so we can get home to bed or homework or whatever it is we need or want to do. While I appreciate being able to have someone else do the cooking (and especially the cleaning) when I'm too tired or too strapped for time, I do love to go out to eat when it's for the purpose of dining out by choice. When I choose to dine with a companion as a social event, it's amazing. I like choosing favorite spots, or new places, or to celebrate a
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Is food part of my identity?

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I'm a combination of Italian (1/2), Native American and French (unsure of the fractions here). I'm not a "die-hard" ethnically proud person. Sure, my heritage is part of my identity, but it doesn't play a large role in defining who I am. I don't fly the Italian flag, or boast about being Native American. I never choose food based on my ethnicity. I mean, I love Italian food, but who doesn't? Have you ever had Native American food? I wasn't raised on it, but I spent several years living with my mother in Oklahoma and went to enough Pow Wows to know that Indian Tacos aren't really my thing. Though I will admit, sometimes I’m a little bit jealous of the Irish at our annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Those people are damn proud! However, I do make choices based on my identity as a grandchild of an Italian woman. I choose to make the same dishes my grandmother made, because it's nostalgic and it makes me think of her. I have her tiny wooden handl
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