Goddess Of Scrumptiousness

Of Reading and Eating… and doing both at the same time.

To most, the idea of lounging on a sofa reading a good book or, maybe, eating food they love at a leisurely pace is their ideal form of indoor relaxation. I, on the other hand, always believe in simultaneous nourishment of both mind and tummy - figuratively and literally.

I love reading cookbooks and any publications really that ingeniously incorporated either cooking or dining scenarios. But even if let’s say I am reading a proper fictional novel or biography or history I still double the pleasure of the reading experience by always having something to pick up, bite in, munch on and wash down with either a cup of coffee or tea. It’s just how I process and absorb words and knowledge, I mean, a mind cannot function well while the tummy keeps on sending it hungry post-it notes every 3 minutes. And so I always give in and munch away in the same rate as I read words per minute. 

I love reading short passages about eating experiences and food sentiments. I can never get tired of those. Maybe because I am eternally passionate about food and any thing related to it, or I am just a hopeless case of a food addict. Nevertheless, I want to share a few of my most favourite passages and sentiments about food. 

If some of you are wondering why I included in these pictures Audrey Hepburn’s Biography book (???) knowing that she will probably be horrified with the idea of me munching happily on this calorie laden Carrot Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting while reading a book about her whole life and looking at all the glamorous pictures of her - classy, petite but statuesque figure, all I want really is to let her know (in spirit) my foodie sentiments for her, which is ” Eat your heart out, SKINNY BITCH!!! “.  -j.m

Orgiastic About Oranges 

One Thanksgiving dinner, my friends and I decided we would each answer the question: “If I were going into the desert and I could only take one thing for my comfort, what would it be?” I said my choice would be an orange. 

An orange is packed with pleasure in so many different ways. Simply to hold one in your hand is pleasing to the eyes and touch and nose. And when you open it up, you have both thirst-quenching liquid and flavorful food. Everyone has their rituals for peeling an orange. Some people eat the white down beneath the peel, others pick it off. some bury their face in the flesh and get the juice all over their chin. I prefer the delicate approach, and the mandarin is the best orange for this. first I break it into segments. Then I take an individual segment and bite into the inner part, separating the skin from the flesh. i love the feel of the moist globules bursting with flavor against my tongue. this is serious pleasure. 

(simple pleasures : soothing suggestions and small comforts for living all year round, “fall” chapter)

Extolling Espresso

Espresso and reading are complementary pleasures. I look for a place with no music or good music, a place where people stay put for a while and there’s not too much commotion. The espresso must be strong and thick so the foam from the coffee sticks to the spoon, and it must be served in small cups. Once I have my coffee in front of me, I take out my book and read extremely slowly, pondering each sentence, perhaps scribbling notes or comments. Poetry or philosophy is best- something that provides pleasure in prose so dense and exquisite that it matches the intensity of the coffee. A single sip of espresso reverberates in my body while the words resonate in my mind with interesting meanings.

(simple pleasures : soothing suggestions and small comforts for living all year round, “fall” chapter)