Food For Thought

By Evelyn David

Sometimes I'd like to lose 10 pounds. Most times, I just think about it.

Food evokes all kinds of responses.

 

I have friends who genuinely don't care what they eat. They eat just to live, could care less what they ingest.

 

Some see food as a barrier to their ultimate goal – to be thin. Model Kate Moss, scarcely a role model, nonetheless summed it up for way too many young girls: Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

Wow, not for me. Of course, that might be part of my problem, but lots of things taste way better than skinny ever felt.

I've only been really thin once in my life. The months after my father died, I stopped eating. It was the only time I was a size six – and it didn't matter one whit to me. And I guess I wasn't even that thin, compared to today's concept of size zero being a worthwhile achievement.

One of the happiest times for me is when I'm at the table, surrounded by family and friends, enjoying each other's company, as well as delicious food. I like to cook. It's my hobby. But for those who don't, I enjoy the food just as well if we're together, at a restaurant or eating take-out. Food paired with those I care about is the perfect combination.

But I also like the adventure of food. Some friends think spending money eating out is a waste. They want something tangible for their money, like books, clothing, jewelry. Heck, I like those things too, but I also like the fun of finding new restaurants, not even particularly expensive ones, and sharing the experience of new tastes.

Some times, food is a source of comfort. That's probably wrong, but does it work better if I say that food prompts memories that give me joy? When I make a Kugel (noodle pudding), I remember the lovely lady who gave me the recipe. I got a thrill when my granddaughter was asked what she wanted to eat when she got to Grandma's, and she announced that Grandma always made her macaroni and cheese (her favorite). My homemade chocolate chip cookies are a staple for holidays, expected by family and friends.

We host a luncheon every year on the first day of Rosh Hashonah (the Jewish New Year). One friend shared with me that he woke up the morning of the holiday, just a week after the tragedy of 9-11, and knew no matter what else was happening in the world, he could count on the baked salmon I cook every year for the guests. That sense of continuity gave him comfort in a time of uncertainty. This year, when I changed things up a little with a new chicken dish, you would have thought I had introduced pizza as the main dish for Thanksgiving (which wouldn't offend me at all if that is what your family has traditionally served).

So I'd like to lose 10 pounds, but I'd also like to continue to eat my favorite foods. You don't have to tell me. Moderation is the key, with patience required for slow, but steady results. Yeah, I hear you.

In the meantime, what does food mean to you? And what is your favorite food memory?

 

Marian, the Northern half of Evelyn David

 

 

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A HAUNTING IN LOTTAWATAH - the Kindle ebook version will be a free borrow during October for Kindle Prime Members. Also the ebook will be offered as a free Kindle download for all during Oct. 1-5, 2012. Click Here

 

 

 

 

Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle - Trade Paperback (exclusive to Amazon)
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

 

Zoned for Murder
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Nook
Smashwords
Trade Paperback

Brianna Sullivan Mysteries - e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah - Kindle (exclusive to Amazon this month)
Lottawatah Twister - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Summer Lightning in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

The Ghosts of Lottawatah - trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 - I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 - A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)

Romances
Love Lessons - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

New Year's Resolution

By Evelyn David

A few weeks ago I cooked a brisket, which I sliced and then froze. It was my opening salvo to get ready for the holidays which begin next Sunday evening with the celebration of Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year. It's not exactly like December 31. No Waterford crystal ball drop, no Dick Clark (RIP) countdown to Midnight. But it does have that same sense of a fresh start.

But before I begin 5773, the year in the Jewish calendar, I like to look back over the previous 12 months, give thanks for my blessings, recognize the lessons learned, apologize to those I've offended, focus on areas of improvement, and set goals for the future.

It's that last one that has me thinking. Recently I wrote a blog about our summer vacation and titled it, "Always Better in the Retelling." It's how we all now laugh uproariously at the trials and tribulations of past family vacations. But I'd like to change that for the future. Not the laughing part or the shared family memories. But instead, my hope for the New Year, besides a most fervent one of good health for family and friends, is both complicated and simple.

I'd like to learn how to enjoy the moment when it's happening – and not just after it's finally over. Too often I allow my fears and insecurities to overwhelm me and preclude me from being fully immersed in what is happening. My mind is going a mile a minute, instead of slowing down to admire the passing scenery so to speak. Or sometimes I find myself so caught up in the minutia of preparing for the holiday or family celebration, that I'm too tired or too busy to enjoy it once it's here. Or at times I realize that I'm missing my loved ones who have died so much that I fail to savor those around me.

In short, I don't want to enjoy life by looking at and then enjoying the videotape (real or figurative) – but rather learn to focus and appreciate the "right now." I don't want to live so much in the past or project so far into the future that I miss the present. It's a journey for sure, but I begin it in 5773.

I wish for each and every one of you L'Shana Tova, which means "For a Good Year." May it be filled with health, happiness, family, friends, and joy.

Marian aka The Northern Half of Evelyn David

 

 

 

Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle - Trade Paperback (exclusive to Amazon for 90 days)
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

 

Zoned for Murder
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Trade Paperback

Brianna Sullivan Mysteries - e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Summer Lightning in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

The Ghosts of Lottawatah - trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 - I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 - A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)

Romances
Love Lessons - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

For a Sweet New Year

This weekend was Rosh Hashonah, the start of the Jewish New Year, 5770. While Dick Clark doesn’t host a “Rockin’ Rosh Hashonah” Show on ABC, and there aren’t thousands of people blowing horns, wearing funny hats, and watching the crystal ball descend into Times Square, like December 31, the Jewish New Year is a time of reflection and a celebration of renewal.

Surrounded by family and friends, I spent this holiday once again reminded of all my blessings. I didn’t make a list of New Year’s resolutions, but did make a personal promise to improve where I could, try harder when necessary, and accept graciously when acceptance is the best option.

Traditions are the always in life, those things we count on and by which we define ourselves and our family. So my holiday table was full of the traditional foods like apples and honey, to represent a sweet new year, and round challahs, instead of the Sabbath braided ones, to symbolize the circle of life. It wouldn’t be a holiday in this household without homemade chocolate chip cookies. Perhaps not found in the Bible, but a required food group for my family.

One of the nicest traditions of the holiday is Tashlikh, the ritual of symbolically casting off your sins by tossing pieces of bread into a body of flowing water. The ancient practice is based on the the Biblical passage in Micah, “You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Our congregation strolls about a mile down to the park that edges Long Island Sound. We sing some traditional prayers and then walk out onto the rocks and toss bread into the waters. The gulls come swooping in, happy to ingest our “sins.” Inevitably we joke that we each need to bring at least a couple of loaves of bread to atone for all our sins. The Rabbi reminds us that it's symbolic, not a one-for-one ratio of bread to sin.

The beauty of the setting, the warmth of being surrounded by family and friends, the comfort of the traditional melodies, and the sense of renewal, of starting the new year afresh, gives me a wonderful feeling of contentment and rejuvenation.

Best wishes for a Healthy, Happy, Sweet New Year.

Evelyn David
Murder Takes the Cake by Evelyn David
Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David
http://www.evelyndavid.com

Happy New Year

While it’s 93 more days until the big, glittery ball drops in Times Square, tonight is the start of Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year. We celebrate with prayers and a festive meal (except for Yom Kippur, there is almost always food associated with Jewish holidays). It’s no time for nouvelle cuisine. I go back to basics, with brisket or chicken on the menu, maybe even some chopped liver. We also traditionally eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize our hope for a sweet new year. As I read in one source, “sweet means dear, precious, enjoyable, satisfying, serene, secure and something most pleasing.”

The time between Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is called the Days of Awe. They are a period for reflection, an opportunity to atone for sins in the past, make amends with those we've harmed, and decide to do better in the future. I know that this type of inner soul-searching should be an ongoing process, not something limited to the 10 days between the two High Holidays. So one of my resolutions for this new year is to take more time for spiritual inventory and spend less time on book inventory. I think both the professional and personal side of me will benefit.

So as we enter the Jewish year 5769, may I take this opportunity to wish each of you, a healthy, happy New Year.

Shana Tova Umetukah (Hebrew for "A Good and Sweet Year.")

Evelyn David