Thoughts on Food, Wine and Living Well

I've been contemplating food and wine as a life experience. I'm not a chef, I'm never going to be, so cooking in itself isn't the big game for me. I love food and wine for the experience it creates, and I believe that eating and drinking well is essential to living well. When living well is a priority, it shows through in all aspects of your life. Wonderful food must be found, seasoned and cooked, not just reheated, and the process encourages you to slow down, have a glass of wine and savor life a little. Historically, what we ate was what was readily available, but in today's global economy, the food we choose to eat reflects our values. Nobody who lives on fast food is living a relaxed, experience filled life. A fun life maybe, but that is not the life I want to lead. The life I'm creating includes trips to the farmer's market, leisurely excursions to interesting food stores, afternoons puttering around in the kitchen, fresh baked bread, daily happy hour and wonderfully flavorful meals enjoyed with a bottle of wine. Enjoying fresh, simple food is the height of authentic living to me. But what is it about food that makes it an experience? Is it the explosion of flavor when you bite into a perfectly ripe peach, the wonder of a chilled crisp white wine on a hot day, an afternoon excursion to get a scoop of dark chocolate gelato, finding a recipe so delicious that your mouth waters with the anticipation of preparing it for your family, or spending time with friends over a relaxed dinner? It is all of this and more. Food nourishes us in so many ways, it is not simply sustenance. It is about using all of your senses, living in the moment, treating yourself well and making time for what is important. So, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by, join me for a glass of wine, tell me about your day, and we'll eat something wonderful together. Cheers!