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Sunday, September 27, 2015

How do we choose?

(broccoli and cauliflower saute')

Hubby has been getting up early, many mornings, just to get to the kitchen before me, just so he can have his favorite breakfast, his way. What is that, you ask? Potatoes hash/brown with peppers and onions, a slice of crisp bacon and a fried egg. He changes this pattern rarely; even the breakfast he might order at a restaurant. If left to choose on his own, Hubby will eat the breakfast he has come to love, even though his doctor's orders are otherwise.

I fix all meals with three thoughts in mind:  what is in the refrigerator that needs using; what fits our nutritional needs.  This morning, I could have easily prepared this sauteed combo, but I had spinach to use up. So, we had a spinach omelette instead.

How we choose, however, is hardly something we do consciously according to the latest research. So, ignore that second paragraph, where I list my thoughts/criteria for preparing meals. The real process is quicker and unconscious, based on a lifetime of habits, and only when we think about our choices, we come up with rationales, clear patterns, philosophical standings to justify our actions.

As I watch/read the statements out of Pope Francis's mouth this week, throughout his visit to America and Cuba, I keep thinking of all the things he could have said and done in his role as the Holy Father. I'm sure his "handlers" act as all assistants do, help smooth out schedules, identify areas of concern, etc. His character and habits however, will show through and through.

The idea that we do most of our choosing automatically is a bit unnerving. After all, haven't we taken entire courses of study on planning, analyzing, prioritizing.

How will it look if an employer asked us to plan a strategy for improving a process, and our response is: No need to. When it's time to choose, we all jump right in.

8 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria ... catering for myself is probably easier. Fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and something with veg for supper ... but I always mix and match. Yes I go off the beaten track on occasions - but I do have lots of veg and fruit ... cheers Hilary

Hilary said...

It might be a Hilary thing, but I do pretty much the same as my namesake above me. ;) But yes, old habits die hard when it comes to meals. At my visiting son's request, I just prepared a huge pot of meatballs, potatoes and carrots. It would seem that some childhood favourites are passed on through the generations.

Helen said...

Greetings! I have the most fun when I go all creative! And having a diabetic in the house can present wonderful challenges! Enjoy your day, Rosaria.

yaya said...

In my line of work everything is done in a special way..a real purpose..in a certain order. But when surgery suddenly goes bad you have to relie on your skill, knowledge, and experience to kick in...automatically making choices that are correct...hopefully! However, give me a lunch menue with a Reuben sandwich featured and any desire, intention, or healthy vibe, is out the window! ( Oh, and throw in a side order of onion rings please!)

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

So enjoyed this post, Rosaria, and I could really relate. I'm trying very hard to get out of the automatic behavior around food and make healthy conscious choices. It's starting to make a difference. I am coming to prefer salads and vegetables, a very positive change.

the walking man said...

Rosaria I honestly have found no benefit from planning but I do like your husbands plan, slip a mild mickey finn into your last beverage of the night so he can rise first and fast out of the gate to make his breakfast. (Secret? My wife is first generation Italian American--and her attitude about my cooking, food, refrigerators, and health (for me anyway) are EXACTLY in line with yours.)

Rob-bear said...

I'm pretty aware of my choices. I have built patterns for my life. Usually I just follow the patters. But sometimes I don't.

I think it is a matter of finding what you like — with what you feel comfortable — and then doing it, whenever the situation arises. That might not sound exciting, but at 70, I've had about all the excitement I can take.

Blessings and Bear hugs!

Rob-bear said...

I'm pretty aware of my choices. I have built patterns for my life. Usually I just follow the patters. But sometimes I don't.

I think it is a matter of finding what you like — with what you feel comfortable — and then doing it, whenever the situation arises. That might not sound exciting, but at 70, I've had about all the excitement I can take.

Blessings and Bear hugs!