The experts say our sense of smell is one of our strongest
connections to our deep memory receptors. Breathing in the scent from
the tomato stand at the local Farmers' market, I am five years old
again, running barefoot behind my grandmother's farm house and causing
havoc in her garden. I hear her heavy German accent as she scolds me for
picking the reddest, roundest tomato my little hands can steal and
sinking my teeth deep into the sun warmed skin. I'm flatly denying the
crime, while sweet juice runs down my sticky chin.
Roses are a classic; but for a whimsical soul like mine, bring me a
basket of sun ripe tomatoes and a bushel of daisies, and you'll steal my
heart. I adore people who grow tomatoes and always see it as a sign of
good character. If daisies are the 'happy flower', then tomatoes are the
happiest fruit.
Tomatoes are the balance of a garden. They require attention but
need their independence too. They are not fussy or stubborn, and they're
always willing to supply you with every ounce of fruit they have the
strength to bare. Tomatoes plants thrive in sunshine, and will grow in
any direction they need to get all the sun they possibly can. The
fruit they produce can feed you in many fun ways from appetizers to
desserts. If tomatoes were people, they'd be the friendliest folks we
know.
Most people giggle or roll their eyes when they hear cooks say
certain vegetables and fruits have personality. Why not? People have
been saying for generations the best bacon comes from the happiest pigs.
Which is frankly probably true considering a good fat pig produces the
most flavorful meat. A good fat tomato just might make the tastiest
pasta sauce. Even if the metaphor is nothing more than country charm,
changing the way we look at vegetables and fruits is the biggest
challenge in changing our diet.
The longer you cook a plant-strong diet, the more you'll develop a
relationship with certain vegetables and fruits. Humans naturally create
bonds with the foods they know and love the most. Learning the bonds
you have is another important way for you to use food as a healing part
of your life. Maybe blueberries make you smile, or broccoli makes you
grumpy. When someone serves me cauliflower I secretly wonder if I
offended them; I'd never serve it to anyone I liked.
You can affect
great change in your own mood and mental health by preparing the
vegetables and fruits that nourish your spirit as well as your body.
You'll also discover that you put the most effort and care into cooking the
foods you enjoy the most. If you don't know your favorite vegetables and
fruits, ask your family. I guarantee they'll know, because every time you
have a great day you make that one special meal or treat.
Changing your diet for the better comes with many mental hurdles. When beginning a plant-strong diet, or if you're simply wanting to
be conscientious about eating more healthy, think about your emotional
relationships with vegetables and fruits. Which have the fondest
memories for you? Which come in your favorites recipes? Start with them,
and find new ways to cook them. Just make sure you expand your
world and make a few new friends in the produce department. That
eggplant you've always thought strange might just become your new
favorite vegetable.
As for me, you'll always find fresh, round, red tomatoes in my
fruit bowl, and if you're aiming to win my heart, you know what to
do....
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