Rule #2: Don’t eat anything that your great grandmother
wouldn’t recognize as food.
This rule from Michael Pollan’s book, Food Rules, an Eater’s Manual has been on my mind for the past few
weeks. Recently, both my grandparents
passed away after a long life that was devoted to one another, the land, their
community, and their faith.
Both
children of farmers, one of immigrants, the other not, growing food and
understanding the intricacies of land and water was a central part of their
lives.
So what did they eat?
What was their secret to a long life?
What
can we learn from them?
My grandparents made homemade meals, preserved seasonal
foods, and pickled nearly everything; ironically, they also had a sweet tooth
and liked Pringles. Chips and sweets
hardly sound healthy or the secret to a long life, but they balanced everything
they did with hard work. They were not
idle people. They continued to care for their home and yard, farm and
equipment, remained active with volunteering and politics, and even learned new
skills to keep their minds sharp.
 |
| No Eggs |
As I page through my recipe book, I am glad to see that I
have handwritten recipes, and even typed recipe cards, from my grandmother. I share the recipes for nostalgia, as we are
rapidly losing people who lived great lives despite the challenges of the Great
Depression and the agony of World War II.
 |
| A recipe for my bridal shower |
Our challenge is also to live a life that matters, that gives,
and that will not be forgotten. Don’t
be idle, work hard, do what is right, and show love to those in your life.
