Shovel or Savor?
I write this, because it occured to me the other evening when I was having dinner with a couple of friends at a great little Italian joint near me. We all love it and each got our "signature" dish. However, I savored every morsel, while both them shoveled everything as fast as they could. So, I was wondering, when you encounter fantastic food, do you shovel it or savor it? And what was the last food that made you do it?
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15 Comments:
I agree with you traveller, when I encounter fantastic food, I am thankful for each and every bite. Plus, eating super fast is bad for you, isn't it? I used to eat really fast growing up and I found that I was fuller--faster (along with a healthy dose of 'stuffed' feeling that never really felt good). I believe that if you truly love food (OH and most of us do!) you should savor each bite for the symphony of flavours they are comprised of :)
hungrychristel at 1:41PM on 02/22/08
I used to be a shoveler and got so frustrated that my family would finish a meal in minutes that took forever to prepare. I made a conscious effort to slow down and savor every bite. Now, I am always the last one finished and it's become a little embarrassing. I can't shovel anymore, but ahhhhh, I do enjoy savoring.
PerkyMac at 1:46PM on 02/22/08
Most definitely a savor-er kinda person.
JEP at 1:58PM on 02/22/08
I'm a shovel type person. I make marine corp. guys look like they are slow. I can't help it when I was little there were five kids and not enough food. It's a bad habit and one that takes considerable amount of effort to fix.
evilchefmom at 2:14PM on 02/22/08
When I'm at home I tend to shovel. Watching my calories for the past few months has made me very aware of how delicious forbidden foods are...that's when I savor every ounce.
bessfour at 2:58PM on 02/22/08
Savor--especially when "dining."
I've had my share of grab and go, but even then I'm usually the last to finish.
The last time I encountered a shoveller, was my three year old neice, after a 2 hour car ride and an eternity waiting for a table at our favorite pizza, sub, & pasta joint. She in-haled half of my sisters salad, half of my steak&cheese combo sub, and half a slice (huge NY style slice). After which, she leaned back, heaved a huge sigh, and fell asleep. Too precious.
wookie at 3:00PM on 02/22/08
There's nothing wrong with eating quickly. Just because you do something fast doesn't mean you can't enjoy it?
Lots of enjoyable things only take a few minutes; most songs, a round in boxing, a shot of whiskey, a drag race, having sex ....
.... never mind.
srhcb at 3:03PM on 02/22/08
srhcb -
Good point, I retract part of my previous statement.
... i laughed.
hungrychristel at 3:13PM on 02/22/08
Oooh I like this question! I'm definitely a savorer myself. I tend to be a slow eater as it is so when I realllllly like something, why rush it?!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 3:59PM on 02/22/08
id rather not moralize about eating habits but i do admire those who can savor.
stumbler02 at 4:05PM on 02/22/08
I eat fast ("shovel"), but I like to believe that I enjoy what I eat since I'm a "live to eat" type rather than an "eat to live" sort. I even eat fast if I'm using chopsticks. I can't seem to help it. My mom says she's never seen anything like it.
Amandarama at 5:28PM on 02/22/08
I eat quickly but like to think that I can savor at the same time! My husband and I don't really realize how quickly we eat until we are eating with other people!
mrsmoosie at 6:41PM on 02/22/08
Good question! I think for me it depends on a)my hunger level and b)the difference between really great food and outstanding food. If I'm really really hungry or if the food is super tasty, it's hard to slow down once I start. Then again, if I'm at a really great restaurant, I always make sure to take my time and savor every morsel!
ChristineB at 8:44PM on 02/22/08
I used to be a serious shoveler. I would finish a plate of food without even realizing it. My partner of 18 yrs however is a VERY slow eater, she is usually just getting started when the rest of the table is ordering dessert. I am starting to pick up her habits and I now eat much slower and I have to say I enjoy my food much more. Also I tend to eat a lot less, because when you eat slower you give your self a chance to realize that you are full.
Christian Smith at 2:54AM on 02/23/08
Shovel, but I'm trying to eat much slower (savour) when I dine at friend's houses or in a restuarant. It's hard though...
s2149136 at 6:09AM on 02/24/08