Dulcet Devotion

Over the holidays, I was dealing with some longstanding dental issues.  While I was laid up nursing a sore mouth, food became a focus of my life more than ever. What I could eat, when I could eat, IF I could eat. Could I have whatever I wanted? Or what was good for me? What my dentist dictated? And over the Christmas holidays! The most planned for, most anticipated eating time of the ENTIRE YEAR!

When I was able to eat, I had to eat in new and different ways: finger foods were now consumed with the help of a knife and fork, satisfyingly crunchy foods sucked on ’till mushy.  It really made me pay attention to the taste and texture of food in new ways.  Or was that just the drugs? Time passed in 4 hr medication intervals. It’s time for pain relief, it must also be time for lunch? Dinner? Snack?

I took more time to savour my food (so difficult when starving) and I really had to think about what I was putting in my mouth.  The result? I tasted new elements to old familiar dishes. Goat’s cheese is still creamy but suddenly I could notice its pleasant tart bite. The flavours of both bread and sauce now lingered together more intimately than ever before and I am able to better discern their own separate distinct flavours.  Melting red onion, sweet peppers…

Luckily I was able to enjoy almost all of the holiday feasts offered over the Christmas break.  And I strongly believe that this led directly to my speedy recovery.  A successful cocktail of strong drugs and food happiness.  I like to call it the food placebo effect.