Whatever You Eat, Love Conquers All
February 14, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, the February 13th New York Times had an article about romantic relationships that persevere in the face of great differences—-vegetarians/vegans falling for carni/omnivores:
Sharing meals has always been an important courtship ritual and a metaphor for love. But in an age when many people define themselves by what they will eat and what they won’t, dietary differences can put a strain on a romantic relationship. The culinary camps have become so balkanized that some factions consider interdietary dating taboo.
True love does find a way, though—-I’ve been a vegetarian since I was in high school but when you’re the mother of a growing boy (I have just one inch over him still), you do end up finding yourself frying him burgers, roasting chicken, peeling shrimp for stir-fry, and boiling hot dogs. Food is love, or maybe it’s that love constantly asks us to do more, to change, to be for the needs of those we love (making hamburger patties while Charlie pushes at my elbow).
(Though I will admit that, when we’re at the Jersey shore—Jim’s favorite place—–in the summer, I do “break the vegetarian thing” and eat…….seafood, and even a mussel or two.)
In our household, we’ve learned that sometimes the best way to say something (”I love you” included) is with brown noodles (with or without the shrimp).
Bento box heart photo courtesy of Rob in London via Flickr
“…love constantly asks us to do more, to change, to be for the needs of those we love…”
Such wonderful insight. And it is love which allows us to to make those changes and be those things we thought we could not/would not. Wishing you, Jim, and Charlie a wonderful day full of love.
Great thoughts
I turned vegetarian in the middle of a relationship. It was made very clear to me that while my lifestyle changes/choices were admired and respected, they weren’t going to be shared, haha. I completely understood, accepted, and respected that, and we plunged on happily eating whatever each of us – as individuals – desired.
I do think a lot about the “feeding my children” thing. While I don’t have kids now (and don’t even know if I ever will), I wonder how I will mentally handle feeding my child food that I am very passionate about not eating. If my child (should I ever have one) becomes a vegetarian, I want it to be his/her choice, just like it was mine. At the same time, I struggle with the idea of purchasing meat, financially supporting such meat markets, etc.
*sigh*
Hopefully I’ll work it all out in my head by the time/if that time ever comes.
None of us our vegetarians here. Just the other night we had beautiful lamb steaks. First thing M asked for the next morning was more lamb. Yum.
@Alicia,
I really worried a lot about how to cook for Charlie for he was born—but once I had to do it, there was no doubt and now it seems pretty natural to be frying up those burgers…. and boiling cauliflower, too.
Thanks Kristina