The Unifying Power of Food

Female Foodie Friday Vol. 3

I’ve wrestled with how to write this Female Foodie Friday—not wanting to make it political, but having a hard time reflecting on this week without addressing the elephant in the room. 

I’m having some friends over for dinner tonight to celebrate my first-ever Friendsgiving, and all I can keep thinking about is the healing and unifying power of food. 

Because not just during election week but throughout the entirety of my life, food has brought people together. 

The term “breaking bread” is biblically old, yet food is still a unifying force for good amongst friends and family with differing backgrounds, belief systems, ethnicities, religions, and even political parties.

I love that food has been the vehicle for me to catch up with people like my grandpa over so many years at the dinner table. He’s had so many good one-liners that I started a note on my phone called “quotes by grandpa,” where I write down some of his most legendary comments. The year before I met my husband Cody, over 10 years ago, my grandpa and I sat next to each other at the Thanksgiving table. As we ate, he unapologetically dropped a few morsels of unsolicited dating advice and assured me that if I was looking for a 10, I wouldn’t find it. I leaned in closely to him and said, “Grandpa, I’m not looking for a 10, I’m looking for an 11.” His booming laughter filled the room, and it’s one of our exchanges I’ll never forget. 

I love that food is the never-ending excuse for my husband and me to go on a date night and catch up on things other than work and raising babies, and as our meal progresses, we remember just how much we love each other and love spending time together.

I love that food is a forever vehicle to serve others and can be as simple as dropping off a plate of cookies to a friend who’s new to the neighborhood or someone who’s simply on your mind. When we moved to our home three years ago, a neighbor from across the street (and now a sweet friend) brought our little family pizza, ice cream, and a convenient supply of disposable plates and cutlery. She didn’t ask permission or fret about the details; she just showed up. It’s a meal I’ll never forget.

I love that food stops the world a little bit at the end of each day as I chaotically sit down with my tired and hungry family of 5 for an action-packed meal. And even though the enchiladas may not be my son’s favorite and my daughter can only say a few words like “Dada” and “mmmm,” food is still the great equalizer that allows us to wholly participate in something together. 

Food is healing. Food is unifying. Let’s break bread together. ❤️

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10 Things That Made This Week Great

1. This song is just so good. Even though it was written over 50 years ago, I’m just now hearing it for the first time, and it’s officially on repeat.

   

2. If you are making apple pie over the next 8 weeks, then you need an apple peeler corer. I am not an advocate of frilly kitchen gadgets and tools that never get used, but this is one worth having!

   

3. Where we live in the Pacific Northwest, fall foliage is at its peak often in the first week of November. Call me basic, but I seriously can’t get enough.

4. Visited my sweet, almost 89-year-old grandma in the Seattle area. Just before I said goodbye, I was sitting next to her, holding her hand and thinking about all the ways she has served me with her soft and now-worn hands throughout my life. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

   

5. I don’t love the rebirth of so many 90s trends, but I do love the comeback of gold chunky jewelry. These hoop earrings from Madewell are my latest favorite.  

6. Fall baking is in full swing, and even though dishes aren’t my favorite, I know I’m on the right track when I’m washing my KitchenAid multiple times in one day. Not sure what to bake this week? Listen to my recent podcast with @thepancakeprincess, where we discuss the very best of her epic bake-offs (holiday edition, ofc)! 

   

   Coconut Pumpkin Pie on femalefoodie.com

7. Speaking of the Podcast, this week’s episode is a must-listen for anyone with a kitchen. I’ve been working my way through my friend Stephanie’s 5 Kitchen Organizational Recommendations, and it feels SO good to clean, purge, and give my kitchen a little organizational facelift (don’t purge your apple peeler corer though- you need that!).

8. With dry shampoo, I rule the world (and this one is my absolute favorite! 12+ Amazon orders and counting...).

9. Bought a vintage turkey platter at my local antique store, and I’m beyond excited to use it this year.

   

10. Simon Holland has been one of my fav follows on IG for years, and his latest post made me LOL. I had a similar experience in Italy just a few weeks ago, and my friend Shawna and I were crying laughing.

    

What are you up to this weekend? Making a pie? Going to a high school football game? Fun restaurant plans? I’d love to hear.