Check out my progress on The Eat-or-Dine Dilemma
As a result of both inherent enjoyment and a fast-approaching assignment deadline, I have been immersing myself in the pages of The Omnivore’s Dilemma recently. While I discover insightful little nuggets every time I sit down to read this book, today I was most struck by Pollan’s discussion of eating versus dining:
“Every meal we share at a table recapitulates this evolution from nature to culture, as we pass from satisfying our animal appetites in semisilence to the lofting conversational balloons. The pleasures of the table begin with eating…but they can end up anywhere human talk cares to go. In the same way that the raw becomes cooked, eating becomes dining,” (272).
This passage stuck me because of its apparent contrast to the eating environment in which I reside, that is, the American college campus. Here on Duke’s campus, it seems that no one can spare the time to actually sit down and eat a meal; I would posit that the majority of my peers are forced to eat at least two meals per day either in class or in transit to said classes. As a foodie and health-conscious individual, I clearly place a lot of emphasis on fueling my body, both in terms of nutrition as well as in terms of overall well-being. I eat most of my meals in the comfort of my own home, although I don’t always concentrate solely on the meal at hand. It’s not unusual for me to be mentally composing my next paper as I chew away at my tofu and veggies; my to-do list is more prominent in my mind than the actual enjoyment of eating.
For these reasons, I think one of the things I miss most about being at home with my family is the nightly dinner ritual. I miss being able to partake in friendly conversation while I simultaneously feeding my body and soul; I miss the “pleasures of the table.”
How about you? How often do you get to “dine” rather than merely eat?
Alright, with my ponderings about mealtime complete, let’s get onto the grub:
Sunday
Apparently my sweet tooth was a-callin’ last night, so I whipped up this choco-licious treat…yeah, I went to bed with a happy tummy.
Monday
It’s been far too long since my last plate of Tofu-Banana French Toast. With a bit of silken tofu leftover in the fridge and some supah-ripe bananas hanging out on the counter, breakfast was a no-brainer, my friends.
Yesterday I stocked up on Broccoli Hut essentials at SuperTarget and the on-campus grocery store (e.g., wraps, hummus, avocadoes, and Clif bars). I managed to stuff almost all these items (excluding the Clif bars!) into one lovely lunch today. As if that’s not enough excitement for one meal, I also got to use my handy-dandy new avocado slicer. Shweet.
Now I am off to read some more…and maybe catch up on a few blogs. Later, lovelies!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I pretty much NEVER dine when I’m at school. It’s always in front of hw/computer. It’s sad and I never really enjoy my meals too much. Blah. That’s why I love eating at home at a TABLE with PEOPLE.
Omnivore’s is NOT finished
I’ve been “dining” a little too much lately… but I’m soon off to a nice place for Restaurant Week with my boy, and I’m happy.
I’ve really wanted to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma… is it insane to think we already know a lot of what’s in there? But… I will read it.
We live in a world were we don’t actually enjoy the food that we eat. We just shovel it in, forget to talk to those around us. I think that’s one of the main reasons that Americans are so heavy.
Where has family dinner gone?
The europeans sit around for hours eating..and they’ve written books on why they’re thin…cause they actually enjoy their food.
We use as an anxiety momentary relief.
I think it’s an interesting observation.
I also feel like something else is always in the forefront of my mind and I can never just focus on my eating and then if you take into my school schedule I can eat breakfast @ 8:30am and not be able to stop for lunch until 5pm, which makes me eat dinner @ 9ish @ night!! But i do always make sure to sit down and enjoy my food and not eat it on the way to class!!
I started reading that book and got about half way through it. Even though I’m a nutrition major/foodie/vegan…I learned a lot!
I usually “dine” when I’m at home and “eat” while I’m at school. I’m always trying to multi-task
oh! santa just brought me a cado slicer for xmas! yours looks like it actually works though haha or i just REALLY suck at using it. hmmm it’s probably that you’re good at it and i suck haha.
i want a smooothieeee
I live alone and work from home, so I am guilty of eating in front of my computer working/killing time. But I love to have friends over to “dine”!
I love Omnivore’s Dilemma! One of my favorites in that genre. Have you read Eating Animals b Jonathan Safron Foer? Its an interesting book, but he has a different viewpoint than Pollen. I review it on my blog.
im curious, do you could your “fruits” and veg in a day?
how much hummus is a serving?
and what are you measurments when making your smoothie?
do you measure?
ive noticed that to- no one really cares about where/how they eat..it is just a matter of eating! i like to make it more than that too
i spy a string cheese!!!!!!!! my favvvvvv
love that book! i try to “dine” every time i eat. one positive thing about recovering from an ED is that you realize the importance of eating mindfully. maybe i wish i could be a little LESS mindful sometimes
Back at college my roommates and I have set the goal of having “family dinner” with the house of guys next door every Tuesday or Wednesday, to enjoy food, company and conversation. We each take it upon ourselves to not schedule meetings, library time, etc for the 2 hours of weekly dining. It’s a nice change of pace from the rest of the fast pace college eating habits you discuss
very good point. I think I do more eating than dining… as you say, to-do list and work is in my mind all the time.
It’s easy to say, but hard to do when one lives and eats alone!
your food is always so neat and organized…I feel like I just throw things togehter on a plate and snap a pic LOL…i should slow down to make it more appealing!!
the peanut butter pows on that smoothie look awesome!
I really want to read that book- alongside ‘In Defense Of Food’.
I eat more than I dine- I live alone and am always multitasking or rushing. I love long drawn-out meals with family and friends
Wow your food looks great. Lots of healthy fats there, you’re hair and nails must be fierce! Avocado slicer looks funny haha but handy all the same. I love enjoying my food. I love to make a big ceremony out of it. I use special cutlery and utensils and dress it up all nice even though I’m the only person there to see it. It makes it special