You are what you eat

I heard the quote, "you are what you eat". I smiled to myself because that means I am pretty darn "sweet". The phrase, "you are what you eat" is intended to mean; that the food we eat has a direct impact on our health, well-being, and overall identity. The quality and type of food we choose to eat can influence not only our physical health but also our mood, energy levels and even our personality.

I have a close relationship with cookies. I like everything about a cookie, I like making them, baking them, eating them, sharing them and admiring them. Cookies are comfort food, and they make the best gift ever. I once heard the saying, "if you don't know what to do, bake cookies". 

My whole cookie making life has changed since I met "parchment paper". A cookie is meant to be soft, and these two things will ensure they are. Parchment paper and removing the cookies from the oven before they are done and allowing them to finish baking on the cookie sheet. They are perfect every time. 

What would you say if you were to describe your eating habits. My description would go something like this. I don't eat a lot at a meal; I am a grazer as I call it. I love coffee in the morning. I enjoy a big breakfast; I wake up hungry and I can eat anytime and anything for breakfast. I believe that comes from working shift work where you took on a bag of chips at 3:00 am because junk food was what you needed, or so you thought. I have a love for sandwiches or open-faced buns. An afternoon coffee with fresh cookies or brownies is the best thing ever. I love the smell of supper cooking all day long. I want to end every meal with something sweet. I find it stressful to take to a potluck. I would rather be told what to provide. With the help of my bread machine, I make a lot of bread, buns and cinnamon buns. They also make great gifts. 

I prefer to bake ahead of cook, although I don't mind cooking. I can make a few fragments of food last forever as opposed to going to the grocery store. When I look at people's well stocked fridges, I feel like I am in a grocery store. If I am OCD about anything it would be my fridge. Everything has to be made into something, no waste. I have a produce drawer and a fruit drawer. The fruit drawer probably only has mandarin oranges rolling around in it. Produce falls under the category "only buy what you are going to eat". Carrots, onions, potatoes, eggs and bananas are staples in my world. Once a banana is over ripe, off they go into the banana bone yard for banana bread. Stale or freezer burnt, buns, bread or bagels makes into bread pudding. If I am on my game, I peel and mash the bananas into 1 cup servings. I also, cube the bread, for puddings. For some reason, I manage my food, be it in the cupboard, fridge or freezer.  

People that focus on eating healthy, really enjoy healthy food. I can say with all conviction, I just eat, eating healthy is nothing that I concern myself with. For some reason, I have gotten away with it. I do believe that it is possible to develop a taste for some foods. That will never happen for me with cilantro, I am one of those people that thinks it tastes like soap. 

When I think about what "you are what you eat" means to me, it is a simple explanation. I think it describes me as adaptable. I enjoy putting together a special meal including a pretty table setting or just grabbing something out of the fridge. I am content when I am boiling a chicken carcass to make soup and baking bread at the same time. I love it when people cook for me, it always seems to taste better. The meaning of food is very diverse for me. I enjoy making it, eating it, giving it as a gift, and receiving food as a gift from others. Food brings me pleasure. 

In closing, I hope you enjoy the recipe share in the event you need to make something for afternoon coffee. It is so cold outside, there is nothing like additional heat from the oven and the smell of baking as you curl up with a blanket.  

Cinnamon Banana Bread

4 ripe bananas                    1/2 c white sugar

1/2 c brown sugar               1/2 c oil

2 eggs                                2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c flour                       1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon                  1 tsp salt      

Bake at 350 in a loaf pan.

Monster Cookie Bar

2 c flour                            2 c oatmeal

1 tsp baking soda              2 eggs

1 tsp salt                          1 c margarine

1 c peanut butter              1 1/2 c brown sugar

1/2 c white sugar              1 tbsp vanilla

1 1/4 c choc chips             1 1/2 c M&M

This recipe can be made into cookies or made on a big cookie sheet as a bar. Bake at 350 degrees.