Eating What Others Cook
Today I set out to support someone who cooks food locally. I intentionally withdrew $20 out of the ATM (the one ATM that was installed less than a year ago), drove by a few food trucks, and then decided I would just eat what I had packed and use the money another day. This is what I thought until I started driving out of town and smelled barbecued meat. My brain was asking for protein, and I had the cash to honor the request.
At one end of town, there is a family who barbecues almost every day. They sell what they cook out of their front yard parking lot area. Because I usually cook for myself, I had only supported the family once in 13 years. But the smell of the barbecue meat prompted me to make a U-turn and support them today.
I entered their property and backed into a spot. With my fresh $20 bill in hand, I excitedly walked towards their food truck. As I approached the menu sign, I noticed there was no meal for less than $22.
So what was the final result? I purchased a chicken meal for $20 rather than $22. The family cooking that day did not have to sell me anything. They get business from tourists who pay full price all the time, and they probably sell out every day they are open. But, they made me a chicken plate with rice and Mac salad and accepted my $20. I ate two pieces of chicken, some of the rice, and all the Mac salad (which I didn’t think I would even taste) while sitting on a grassy area at the beach.
I gave myself the gift to intentionally buy food from someone else today, and in return, I was given a gift. I don’t know of many mainland restaurants that would have let me buy food without paying full price. This family, who sells food from their home property, who allow strangers and locals to be on their property every day that they are open, they said yes to what I had to give in exchange for what they had to give.
The saying “pay it forward” comes to mind as I write because later, without planning, I got to be on the giving side.
I was driving to feed a friend’s cat when I saw another friend walking on the side of the road. I stopped to give him a ride because I knew he had a long walk ahead of him. I told him I was only going a short distance, but he gladly hopped in. When I reached where I was headed, I kept driving and took him almost all the way home.
From experience, I know a seven-minute car ride is a big gift when you’re walking. That plate of chicken, full of protein my brain had been asking for, was a gift. Both were small things that meant more than their size. I gave, and I received. This is what can happen when you show up ready.
You are welcome to eat what other people cook.
Stacy 🌺
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I share my experiences and my perspective. Eating and healing look different for everyone. If you are struggling with food or your relationship with your body, please find support. You don’t have to do this alone.