Food Pushers

Living in Argentina Glenn had many dinners where food was thrust upon him like it was his last meal.  Those Latin women aren't satisfied until you have to be rolled away from the table.  Be it meat that still had hair on it or gnocchi's covered with bottled ketchup, he ate it all.  After all, these people were dirt poor (their floors were literally dirt) so passing up their generous offering of food was not an option.

Glenn is hilarious when telling about the gnocchi dinner.  He says he finally managed to get a plate down only to have the host come fill it up again.  As he was trying to get through the second plate he was sweating profusely on the verge of vomiting.  But the trooper he is he got it down.

He's never had gnocchi's since.

I am not a food pusher.   I pride myself on being the exact opposite because I don't like food being pushed on me.  I always have plenty of food at gatherings and make sure people know they're welcome to as much as they'd like, but then I leave it at that.

Being a health nut I get plenty of comments on what I eat.  Sometimes I love it, sometimes I feel uncomfortable when I feel like every bite I take is being noted and commented upon.  There's always a weird silence when you're with a group who wants to stop at a fast food joint and you tell them you're just going to run across the street and pick up your lunch at the grocery store, or what happens more often is I have a lunch I just whip out of my purse and then I am just the weirdo food hoarder bag lady 

I  don't want to make anyone feel they've made bad food choices, the truth of the matter is I love food & eating way too much to even have one bad experience.  I want all of my meals to be filled with fresh produce, roasted nuts, legumes, wheatberries, strong cheese, whole grains with some dark chocolate on the side, is that too much to ask?

So in the spirit of being a non food pusher, cupcakes are the perfect dessert.  With cake or pie you as the host have to ask if they'd like a slice and then get all fancy with a plate and fork.  With cupcakes there is zero confrontation.  You serve them up all pretty and if people want one they'll grab it.  No awkward moments when you're trying to ask the server for just a sliver of cake (which always seems rude), really just about 3 bites worth, the amount you would steal off your husbands plate and he in turn would get mad at you because you said you didn't want any.  It may have taken my husband many years but if I say "No thank you" to dessert he is well aware he needs to get a bigger portion.  Glenn's brilliant like that.

So if you're at my house I'll probably offer you freshly ground oatmeal, a smoothie, vegetable soup, sprouted cookies, whole wheat banana bread or homemade granola.  If you say no thanks I will question your dietary choices but I'll also offer you mac & cheese.  Cause guess what, I've got that too.