Maybe you’re thinking “what qualifies you to be a food blogger?”

The answer: probably nothing.

But this also is not your typical food blog. I will not post pictures of new products found at Trader Joe's. I will not drink ridiculous looking milkshakes. And I will not write lengthy narratives followed by some basic recipe for chicken noodle soup. 

The world can be overwhelming and daunting, but what if I could break it down and make it a bit more manageable? What if I could navigate this world through something as simple as the food I eat and the company I keep? 

When the first European settlers arrived in America, meals were anything but special. Seen as strictly a necessity, food was practical and bland. Forks and knives were unheard of and sitting on a physical chair during meal time? Absurd. Children were to remain quiet as they ate and expressing any eagerness towards eating was considered improper.

As the United States matured, so did our attitude towards meals. Mealtime became a more sacred aspect of the daily American life. No longer were our meals purely a product of necessity, but rather an opportunity to gather, converse, and share.

Meals act as both our anchor and our launch pad by connecting us to our past while bridging us to others. The meals we eat are central to our being, serving as one pillar of our identity, but they also bring us together in a way very little else can. In sharing our dishes we share our traditions, stories, history. We share ourselves. 

Much can be gained by slowing down and giving our meals the power to transplant us and teach us - if only we are conscious enough to allow them to.

Let me share my childhood novelty of cinnamon-sugar toast and you get a glimpse into the daily life of my nine-year-old self. Or share with me your homemade bowl of goulash, while telling me about your dear, great-grandmother who passed down this recipe. With each spoonful of goulash, I can taste a bit of your past, your culture and,maybe if I’m lucky, I can gain a bit of understanding I didn’t know I lacked.

Because, yes, the world is massive. It’s chaotic and enigmatic. But by taking it one meal at a time, we can make it a little more accessible. The idea of seeing every nation is not a fantasy if we modify our definition of travel, abandoning the belief that travel must incorporate a flight across the globe for that coveted cross-cultural experience. 

Through sharing our meals, we navigate the world. We travel without ever leaving the dinner table. All we need is a good company, good food, and an open mind.