It’s Mother’s Day, and naturally, I miss my momma a little extra today. I’ve been thinking about her a lot throughout this whole trip – mostly when I’m eating delicious Italian food. She is a naturally good cook who can whip something up from nothing, and I always admire her for that.
My mom told me that, when I was little, I would tell her every evening after dinner… “You’re a good cooker mummy!” My grammar has improved since then, but I still think that she is a “good cooker.”
I think food is important for any culture, but especially for my big Italian family. Good food has always been the catalyst for a fun time and quality conversation. It is more than just a meal for us – It is the meeting point for a meaningful experience.
Growing up, some of my favorite memories are of these exact moments. Well after dinner is over, my family would still gather around the table with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and tell stories. They were stories of family and friends, trials and triumphs, better times and the best of times – I learned so much about my family and myself through these conversations.
This is not abnormal for Italians. A meal is an experience, one that is often shared with others and is definitely not rushed. I noticed that, in restaurants, Italians will sometimes sit after finishing their food for 15 minutes or more. There is no such thing as a waiter asking, “Are you ready for the check?” Italy isn’t concerned with turning tables. Rather, they thrive to give a quality experience.
I love experiencing this in Italy and especially loved experiencing it today in Florence.
This evening, I went out to dinner with my favorite vegan friends – Kimmie and Taylor. It was the perfect evening filled with stimulating conversation, tasty bites and oh-so-amazing dessert. The restaurant was called Dolce Vegan, so naturally, everything on the menu was completely plant-based and cruelty-free.
Although I have been neglecting my normal diet while in Italy, I normally eat mostly vegan at home. It started as a health choice, and then snowballed into an ethical and environmental choice. I decided that I wasn’t going to be too hard on myself while I was here because I wanted to fully emerge myself in my Italian heritage. So you know what that means — cheese and gelato galore!
But tonight, it was really wonderful to share a table with these lovely ladies. They could pick from literally anything on the menu and not have to worry about whether it was made with any animal products. I could see how excited they were, and it made me even happier to accompany them.
First, we got a starter – a waffle like bread with seasoned veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, olives and more – It was filled with the perfect Italian flavors. I ordered a carbonara pasta, Kimmie got a ravioli and Taylor got lasagna – they were all so good. We shared our dishes with each other and raved with every bite. Each of them were served with a side of greens for the perfect fresh element.
But nothing could top the dessert. I kid you not – the tiramisu was better than that non-vegan tiramisu I’ve had throughout this trip. It was the first tiramisu that Taylor and Kimmie got in Italy, and it made me oh so happy to see them taste this sweet Italian staple.
After we ate, we sat and talked for a long while. We talked about all the things you can make out of tofu, the pros and cons of the American recycling process, health problems and solutions, our pets that we miss at home, and so much more. Eventually, the conversation circled back to mindfulness, something that is inherently a factor of following a vegan diet and lifestyle.
Mindfulness means a lot to me in my life and I practice it often during a meal. I make sure to appreciate those sitting beside me, those who prepared my meal, those who grew the ingredients for my meal and myself – for being fortunate enough to eat and nourish my body. I am mindful not to rush and not to waste, to taste every flavor fully and to recognize when my belly is full and happy.
This is something, whether she knows it or not, my mom always taught me to do. By the way she would prepare food and serve it with love, tell me that I could always go back for more, encourage a variety of colors on my plate – and so much more. Through these things, I’ve found mindfulness in my meal, and in turn, in my life.
I miss her a little extra today.