10.3.10

Habits

in the kitchen

I think that you can tell a lot about a person by observing their habits around food. And, I am no different.

For instance, I have been eating the same sandwich almost everyday for lunch since high school (that's over 10 years). Ok, not the exact same (the bread changes), but pretty much. Tomato, avocado, cucumber and cheese. In my vegetarian days I'd throw in a slice of veggie ham. In my carnivorous days, a slice of real ham. And as of late, when it's around, a slice of turkey. If you were so inclined you could probably extrapolate from that semi-regular slice of turkey that these days I'm on the fence about my decision to start eating meat again.

I also have this same day-in-day-out habit when it comes to my breakfast. Toni's sheep's milk yoghurt, muesli, occasionally a few berries, a cup of rooibos tea and a glass of lemon water. The lemon water used to be orange juice, but the quality of o.j. in Austria is pretty low unless you squeeze your own. I did that for a while but then got tired of lugging home bags of oranges every week.

So, what can you tell about a girl who eats the same breakfast and lunch everyday? Well, that I like my routines. I develop habits (good ones, I hope) and stick to them. When Big Chuck offers to grab me a croissant for breakfast I usually say no thanks. I'm not sure why? I love croissants but somehow I love the predictability of my own breakfast more.

I know what you're thinking, "Bess! Live a little!". Well, I do. In all the other areas of my life I would consider myself to be quite the risk taker. After high school I went to school for, and then worked as, a contemporary dancer = risky. I quit design school and moved to a foreign country where I didn't know the language or a single person besides Big Chuck = risky. I have started my own business and have the nerve to think I could make living from it = risky.

I guess it's in the small everyday moments of life that I still crave a routine, a predictable bowl of muesli to greet me each morning.

How about you? Any habits that you can't (don't want to) let go of?

Bess

(images: Bess Callard)

17 comments:

  1. I hate predictability. I need change. Routine kills me. My breakfast lately has been a smoothie, but I'm sure I will eventually get sick of that and move on to something new.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Linda, i love routines, i live for routines! i miss the days of the smoothie. I had a magic bullet (as seen on tv) that my sister got when we moved. yay frozen fruit ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been eating the same sandwich for forever too! Same lunch always. I also get the same way about my breakfasts. I allow Saturdays and Sundays for fun things like waffles or pancakes or croissants etc but always go with my same ole same ole cereal, I just can't break the habit!!

    Best of both worlds- routines (loyal), yet trying new things (adventurous). Perfect combo:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. That sandwich sounds pretty delicious!

    Why mess with a good thing?

    I go through phases of listening to the same album over and over, and eating the same meal, over and over. I'll eventually get sick of it and crave something else, then I'll probably repeat that, over and over.

    That's why I never buy cereal - I could eat it for 3 meals a day for weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. yay for your sammich! i'm a phase girl like amy ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. @pen.ny: we're food habit twins - i love it ;)

    @Amy: I agree! It's working for me. I gotta say, sometimes I do want breakfast for lunch and dinner too, but I do have a tiny bit of self restraint ;)

    @goodie: sammich - how cute ;) you sound like the kiddos I teach, except they would say it with a German accent like this "sammvitch" ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. My mom and I always laugh about our driving habits. I always take the same road home pretty much no matter what the weather and she the same, but a different road than I do. Therefore whenever we drive together whoever is the passenger always says, "I don't know why you go this way. I always go the other way. It's better. Argh!"

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post today Bess! It certainly appeals to my mildly obsessive compulsive tendencies.

    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander
    Paul Alexander

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a fantastic post! I love the simplicity of your meals...and you are right, they do seem like perfect choices. I think it would be difficult for me to do the same thing every day, but can definitely see the comfort in having a strong routine. I used to be very disciplined in when I ate every morning and afternoon for lunch and it felt great. I now seem to be a little less structured and I honestly dislike it. You may have inspired me to get back on my routine!

    ReplyDelete
  10. @pen.ny: I am all about the "special" breakfast on the weekend that you cab't do during the week cause you don't have time.

    My favorite is a cheese omelet with a tomato sauce accompanied by bacon + hash browns.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have cereal every morning (and sometimes another bowl around snack time in the afternoon. Different cereals, but always one giant bowl. It's scary to admit I'm addicted. I loved the Museli in Scotland but it's so expensive in the States.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your photographs! I eat the same things at restaurants when I go out. I look forward to going to a particular place for that one item I always order off the menu (this drives my husband crazy!).

    ReplyDelete
  13. Don't get me started!
    I'm almost a feline when it comes to routines!
    :o)

    *HEARTS!*
    K.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've just started reading your blog and am really enjoying it! Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts.
    I too love routine...I mix things up once every 6 months or once a year. What amazes me is how when I find a favorite food it tastes great, exciting and new every time!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hiii

    I need routine to have a well-balanced life. I like to eat bread with butter all mornings, I love to listen to my iPod before I get sleep all nights,... I repeat small things that I love everyday (if I can). :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. i get that a lot. We always go to the same thai place and always order the same. And I get excited about it every single time. I guess I do love routines.

    really am enjoying your blog, also :)

    Inês

    ReplyDelete
  17. every night i need a hot cup of peppermint tea while i journal, in bed. this hasn't changed in years. if i don't, the next morning i feel strange and i can tell just from my breath that my day is going to be strange, from the lack of peppermint on it. other than that i don't take well to routine. i feel trapped when i have too much of a routine going, and quickly change it. your sandwich sounds marvelous though, i must admit.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.