Agnostic Mom

Food is a hugely important part of my life. Not just because of its physical necessity, but for emotional and spiritual aspects as well (”spritual” being defined by me as anything that moves me, brings me joy, contributes to my happiness and overall well-being, inspires me, enthralls me, etc.; “spiritual” not being defined by Mormon upbringing as my spirit being separate from my body, communicating with another spirit).

I don’t know how food eventually achieved such high-ranking status in my book, when for years as a teenager I consumed very little of it for long periods of stressful times. I realized in college that the full-feeling stage of eating was almost foreign to me. I could only remember feeling full after Thanksgiving dinner. Living in the Philippines when I was 21 changed that. The food was INCREDIBLE! Well most of it. The Cow Cheek in Peanut Butter Sauce? Not so good. Pig brains and ears cooked in vinegar? Ummm, not good. The other pig brains with vegetables and a different type of sauce, perhaps Patis? Delicious. Mostly we ate normal foods, though, and I learned to eat. I learned to love food. I ate A LOT. And I have ever since.

But not only do I love food, I regard it as a major aspect of my spiritual life. Some people go to church to find upliftment. I prep my dinner vegetables after lunch for mine. Life slows down. I feel close to nature. I know I am blessing my family. It’s a beautiful part of life. I cook complete meals from whole foods for my family most every night. We sit down as a family to a set table regularly. I am sad that so many people don’t. And while I know most of my working-mom friends (understably) don’t make dinners very often, I am stunned periodically when I find an at-home mom like me who rarely brings a wholesome dinner to the table.

Call me naive. A group of us moms were scrapbooking, and one friend said she does her main grocery shopping once a month. “How do you plan a menu for an entire month?” I asked. Everyone in the group shot wide eyes at me and one blurted out, “You make a menu?!”

Proud Moment: Usually I steam fresh vegetables like green beans, asparagus and squash, but every once in a long while I buy a can of green beans to make this great Creole-style side recipe I love. The last time I made it (it had been a while), my 5-year-old Trinity gasped, “What is that?!!!” Canned green beans do look weird when you’ve always had fresh. For me, hearing my daughter ask that was like putting a trophy on my wall. Especially when one of my own childhood memories was seeing fresh green beans for the first time at Grandma’s house and asking, “What is that?”

Proud Moment Number Two: Last week I bought a can of Creamed Corn for an easy corn chowder I would make for dinner one night. I had to buy another can today because a few days ago, my kids requested Creamed Corn for their after school snack. They were ecstatic when I said yes. The three of them sat around the table with their little primary-colored plastic bowls, eating a very special treat. When my kids think Creamed Corn is a special treat, I know I’ve done my job!

Recommendation: If you’ve never done it before, and if you have time earlier in the day, prep your dinner early. Get the kitchen clean and clutter-free first. Empty the dishwasher. Create a peaceful environment. Then pull out your recipe for your evening meal and start chopping. If you have time, measure out the herbs and other ingredients, too. It can be a meaningful part of your non-religion. And then when dinner time comes and you’re tired, the kids are hungry, and everyone is on the edge, dinner is so easy to put together.