May 31, 2016

Hello all!  Yesterday like most Americans, my family and I celebrated Memorial Day.  My family and I enjoyed the holiday with time together and food that matched the typical American Memorial Day food (burgers, salads, and chips of course).  It was delicious and very enjoyable!  I would not change a thing aside from getting seconds of my vegan macaroni salad and the chips altogether, but I knew I would feel that way ahead of time. 

In spirit of the holiday, I distinctly decided to make a dietary choice of which I knew was not healthy or satisfying five minutes after the fact.  I went to the store, picked out the chips and macaroni salad supplies, as well as black bean burger ingredients (which I enjoyed on a lettuce wrap instead of bun-a healthy choice).  Why do I do this?  I really wanted burgers, a mayo based salad, and chips!  Don’t get me wrong…I’m not punishing or loathing myself over this!  However, holiday menus just sort of fascinate me.  Why do we associate certain foods with certain holidays?  Would the fallen hero’s care what we eat, or Jesus for that matter?  Some people would say this is unhealthy thinking on my part.  I should not question or over-analyze one day of festive food.  However, do most people keep it at the one day?  Especially on the same month when I have splurged on Birthday foods, it feels like the last couple weeks have been filled with celebrations and food to match.

Some people struggle with moderation, or not eating large every weekend, or all the time for that matter.  I have been that person.  I don’t want to be the person at a party who deprives themselves amongst people having a feast, yet I don’t want to be the person I have been in the past who is obese based on a lack of moderation and excessive festive foods.  Finding balance is hard sometimes! 

One of my most cherished aspects of childhood is the fact that I grew up with my grandparents living next door.  I visited them at least once a day and loved our time together.  I owe my first memories and understanding of Memorial Day to my Grandfather whom I watched bring flowers to the graves of people who served (and some who didn’t) every Memorial weekend.  He was faithful about doing this to a point I believed it was his diligent duty.  So of course I thought about him this weekend.  I wished I had the same qualities as him for the holiday.  I don’t get to the cemetery annually or specifically on this holiday weekend.  Additionally, to answer my question above, I do not believe the fallen hero’s or Jesus for that matter would have nearly as much emphasis on our holiday menu as compared to honoring those who have fought for our freedoms.  So no matter the dietary decisions of the weekend…I hope those who were able to do so did what really counts over the Holiday and honored the people behind it. 

On a final personal note, as for my mac salad and chips…I had a glorious run this morning and today is a new day.