Tis the season for some New Years Resolutions, so I thought I’d share a few food related goals for the year to come. I’ll stick to the general area of eating for now and skip the perennial ones about exercise, diet, improving habits and the like. Resolutions seem easier to keep if there aren’t too many and they’re fairly specific. So here goes (in no particular order):
* Eat more frequently at the dazzling array of ethnic restaurants we’re lucky to have in central Fairfield county. The remarkable diversity of cuisines, thanks to the many ethnic groups that live here, is an opportunity not be missed. A few years ago our goal was to eat in 40 different cultural traditions. That turned out to be overly ambitions, not because they weren’t available, but because there wasn’t enough time. I’m not giving a number for now, I’ll just try to do quite a few (maybe two a month) and keep you posted as time passes.
* Eat better for a healthier lifestyle. Michael Pollan, a thoughtful and absorbing writer on food, well being and healthy eating, coined the mantra, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Its a good way to live, if not easy: good for personal health, good for the environment, and good for society. I’d like to get with the program and be less tied to the meat and potatoes menus of my parents generation. Since donuts are made from wheat, which is a plant, I should have no problem with this. Perhaps I should review Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food, to be sure.
* Drink more wine. There has never been a wider selection of high quality wine ripe for exploration. A steady flow of wine is coming from new sources around the world and new-to-me grapes as well as innovative efforts from established regions and well known varieties. Each bottle takes me to the place where it was made and tells a story about the people who made it. All this wine cries out for investigation. I’ll do my best. There’s something in the bible about this. I’ll look it up for guidance.
* Become a regular at a few restaurants. Being a consistent patron – getting known at and getting to know a few restaurants very well – leads to that sweet spot where a warm greeting, a close relationship and special perks can be the possible rewards. Along the way I’ll take pleasure in knowing and supporting the staff – restaurant people are great. By being a better customer to fewer places I’ll have the satisfaction of contributing to the restaurants economic success. This may be hard to accomplish while trying to meet my ethnic dining goals.
* Support independent restaurants. In most of America chain restaurants dominate the dining scene, squeezing out the creative and personal experience that is found at locally owned restaurants. In our area land is too pricy and lots too small to fit the business model of most chains. Lucky us. Independent restaurants lack the purchasing power and marketing muscle of the chains, but compensate with creativity, innovation and a personal touch. The restaurants may not be not as slick, but are frequently much more genuine. I like it that way and want to give these entrepreneurs my money.
* Do more shopping at farmer’s markets and local food sources. The food really is fresher and does taste better. Often there is an opportunity to widen my food knowledge with new to me produce and products. I enjoy getting to know the farmers and chatting with them about growing, the weather (the perpetual topic of conversation among farmers) and cooking tips. It costs a little more and is certainly worth it.
If I’m successful with these goals, I suspect my life will be richer and perhaps my health will be better. I’ll give it a try, but I hope no one is keeping score.
No Comment