How did faith play a role in shaping my food and faith experience?
Food was very much a part of my growing up and interactions with both of my parents’ families. Food was not the only reason why we came together. We came together to rekindle, reconcile, and just have fun together, but food was an expression of our culinary expertise, our history, and one of the ways to pass down family traditions and recipes. Whether we realized it or not, food was metaphorically validation of our person hood, status in the family, and popularity. I grew up with mostly women providing the meals for our Sunday and repast meals, and they were sensitive about their dishes. They put their all into these dishes as these were extensions of who they were. I have witnessed numerous “church hurts” over a kitchen and have experienced great jubilees over a meal with my fellow congregants where we have built fellowships into lasting relationships.
When it comes to physical heath, food and I have a love-hate relationship. Food and I have been through many changes together throughout my life. Food has made me happy and has made me sad; food has strengthened me and food has made me lethargic. The good tastes of food have filled both my stomach and my soul, while overindulges in food have left both my stomach and soul full of repentance. Food has been my comforter and at times left me feeling neglected. Sometimes I offered my food to others, but mostly my selfishness did not want to share my food even if a family member asked. Food has been in almost every high and low moment of my life, celebrating with me and being there for me during times of loss and repast. Food has made me healthy and food has made me sick to the point I needed surgery. Food was my drug of choice to eat away my issues, circumstances, and my very low self-image. I was uplifted in my spirit and mind with each bite, but my body gained each pound that eventually caused me to rethink this love-hate relationship.
My decision was to get a handle on this “eat until I drop” mentality before it kills me physically. I began to view myself through the eyes of God, which helped me see that I am the child of the Most High God. God created me and my body with a purpose. My body is “…the Temple of the Holy Ghost…” (I Corinthians 6:19a). I stopped using my supposedly “fat genes” as an excuse for being plus-size and eating like I didn’t have any sense. My dad and his sisters were severely obese and I did not think anything of it until I became an adult. I realized that to live a longer life and avoid heart disease, I must make changes now. Therefore, I began to alter how I cook my food by using olive oil, baking instead of frying, monitoring portions, and increasing my intake of healthy options like steamed vegetables. Also, reading labels on packages has helped me stay away from foods with high sodium.
My faith has been strengthened and wonderful wisdom has been poured into me while sharing a meal. I truly believe that faith and food are intertwined spiritually because both can nourish the soul.
–Crystal Rook, PHW Intern
Partners in Health and Wholeness is an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches. PHW aims to connect health as a faith issue. Please visit our website to sign your personal pledge to be healthier, and to find out about grant opportunities for places of worship in NC.
Crystal,
As I read your post, I just saw my own story. Thank you for sharing. I have to say that you are right with cooking being an extension of identity for some people. And it is that very point that makes it difficult to ask people to consider making healthier choices. I see it in myself. For example, because of my low tolerance to fat (my body is not able to metabolize it well at this point) I have to avoid oils and other fats to at most 20% of my diet. Now this is a challenge when making eggs. I’m used to making eggs with oil, and it took me a long time to accept other alternatives. Do you know that the alternative that I have found to work really well is water? Unbelievable, yes? Yes. And they come out fluffly, as though I mixed the eggs with milk. Interesting. My dad gave me that tip. I’m amazed at this small shift in cooking has actually birthed a small shift in my identity. When I sit and share recipes with my girls, I no longer fit within the “canola” vesus “olive” versus “coconut” oil groups…I have my own. Ha!
This topic of food is complex for sure. Thanks again for your insights and sharing your story.
Peace,
Joy
Hi, Joy,
You are so right that cooking is apart of our identity. Cooking and eating healthy is a everyday challenge, yet the more we do it the more it will become apart of our identity. I will have to try cooking my eggs in water, instead of oil.