Table talk

Have you ever heard the word "sobremesa"? Maybe back in the days of Spanish class, or perhaps you've had the good fortune to visit a hispanic country or two (something I aspire to).

By direct translation, the word means "over table". It refers to the time spent after a meal is eaten when the participants then stay at the table and talk.

Yeah, you read that right, somewhere in the world people actually ignore the tv, leave the laptop shut, and talk. It's really a beautiful concept. I'm not trying to be anti-american, but we seriously need to take a look at our eating habits. No, not about what we eat (scroll down for that bit), but how we eat. How we spend the time during the meal, and after.

I do love cooking. I love knowing food, I love creating food, but probably most of all I love sharing food. That, for me, is the core of things. Good food isn't about surviving, it's not about fulfilling our nutrient needs and keeping our stomachs quiet (although it does that nicely). It's about coming together, spending time talking, laughing. Spending time loving.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but pulling up to a window to grab a bag full of greasy burgers and fries that you'll be half-heartedly chewing while talking on the cell phone and yelling for the kids in the back to keep quiet... yeah, that doesn't really count.

There's an odd split, too. People will jump at the chance to go out with friends for dinner and spend an hour talking during the meal, and then sit around for another hour after. But what happens at home? We grab a plate and run to sit in front of the TV. There may be some conversation during commercials, but largely it's chomping and staring.

I know you're busy, I know you have a hectic schedule, I know it's hard to find time. But try. Just try it. Sit down. Get everyone together, and sit. Talk. Enjoy. Enjoy the food, enjoy the conversation. Don't rush things. Break out some cards or the old Monopoly board, maybe. It's all part of the process.

Take a note from the rest of the world. Afterall, who doesn't want a little more love at the table?