Have you ever thought about how much of our life revolves around food? I have. In fact, I think about it all the time. (The food and the revolving) I’m at a point in my life where I’m trying to take better care of me. That includes moving more, as well as being more selective about what I put into my body. I know, I should have been thinking about these things years ago. I won’t deny it. I’ll admit I’m one of the many who never thought much about what I ate until later in life and now my body is begging for a reprieve. It’s made me realize how much everything is food related and how hard it can be to change that mentality. At least that is true for the little Polish girl in me.

Food is an integral part of life for the Polish, as it is for most Europeans. We grow up seeing food as the backdrop, the cure, the celebration, the tradition, the everything. Company is coming… food. Holidays… food. Weddings… food. Funeral… food. Food is the glue that holds families together while keeping everyone jolly and satisfied. I cannot recall even one gathering of any kind where there wasn’t a full buffet spread out for all who came. Polish hams and deli meats, breads… rye and otherwise, babkas and cookies, coffee and fruit wines, multiple types of traditional sausages, pierogi, potatoes, jams – all there for the enjoyment of everyone who grazed around the table throughout the day. I have aunts who could have been professional caterers, the way they took the food from early morning into the night with dish changes and replenishments as needed so that no one ever missed out on any dish.

Now here I am in my early 50’s, trying to be a healthier version of myself. I’ve cut way back on bread, to the point where I have very little of it at all in any form any more and I don’t usually buy it. I’m more aware of processed meats and nitrites/nitrates and sodium content… bye bye sausages. Cakes and cookies? They’re a rare treat these days. I’ve gone back and forth with the healthy eating several times. This time I’ve been doing it for almost a month now, which isn’t really very long. Something feels different this time though, and I’ve been getting excercise every day as well. I feel better and I like how I feel which encourages me to keep going. Time will tell if I can continue on this path, but I’m feeling pretty good about it so I’m hopeful.

It’s hard sometimes to remember not to attach food to everything. It’s tough not to plan my day around meals when I’m not at work. It’s hard to think of things to do that aren’t food centered. Want to meet up with a friend? Plan lunch! Or maybe we should get together for dinner and drinks? Cooking out, trying popular restaurants, going to food festivals or trying out a new food truck, breweries and wineries… all these things are just great big calorie dumps. I mean, what do people DO if they aren’t eating a meal or having drinks together? I’m not sure I know. I’m not sure I want to live in that world. I must though, as I try to unlearn all I’ve learned about food and gathering and what living well really means. Living well isn’t necessarily having all the food that you want to eat in excess whenever you want it. It is instead choosing to feed your body with things that will keep it functioning at a higher level for a longer amount of time. That means making hard choices. It’s tough. I’m trying.

Sometimes the things we learn as children can be a disadvantage to us later in life. Our job is to educate ourselves and discern what is useful and bring that along, and to leave the rest in memories. That’s not as straightforward as it sounds. I’m relearning food, gathering, and socializing. I’m relearning what happiness and wealth and affluence really are, in more ways than one. It isn’t the food on the table. It isn’t the car in the driveway or the size of our house. It isn’t any thing. It is our families and our connections with people that matter. The traditions, the inclusiveness, and the absolute love of family are what I’ll cherish most. As for the kabanosy and Polish rye bread… I’ll pass it up for now. Well, maybe just one little piece, but don’t tell my doctor!