It's been ~1 year since I set off on this culinary journey/experiment of decolonizing my diet to detox my body, fridge, pantry of white American foods that have for so long betrayed my teeth and taste buds, my dopamine and endorphine receptors, my past, present, future, making me sick and addicted, dependent and clueless. Today, I am more in touch with what I eat and how I eat it, more aware of the evolution of diets, and less tempted by fake foods.
My fridge today, 1 year into a decolonized diet:
-pre washed and cut greens (mustard greens, beet greens, arugula, Chinese brocolli, bok choy)
- ~2 quarts miso soup with ginger, garlic, shredded mushrooms, wakame seaweed, soft tofu, daikon
-stirfried leeks
-steamed beansprouts
-a family size jar of kimchi
-a few boiled chicken eggs and salted duck eggs
-mandarins, cara caras, tangelos, mangos, papaya, avocado, apples
-genmaicha tea, ginger lemonade, apple cider vinegar drink, and some ca phe su da, of course
White foods that I've accepted and embraced: nut butter, sauerkraut, goat cheese, yogurt, thin mint Girl Scout cookies, and In N Out (is my California showing?) Everything in moderation
So what have I learned? How have I changed?
-I can and will continue to cure all my ailments (be it a sore wrist or a 2 week long cold) with food and plant medicine!
-some similarities amongst non-white cultures include: family meals, fresh herbs and spices, eating with the geography and seasons, and being thankful as opposed to entitled
-fermented is my favorite food group (miso, kimchi, fish sauce AND sauerkraut, yogurt, non-cow cheeses)
-annnnnd, epiphany/confession: I have an eating disorder. More on this later...
This year has brought me lots of ups and just as many downs and I am grateful for ALL of it. From my culinary home of pho and banh beo to tamales and birria to sinigang and halohalo to, yes, even kale chips and vegan donuts- I can't think of something greater to be greatful for- I was and am well fed.
My plans to move forward this year:
-in honor of the new year and with respect and gratitude for all life, I will continue decolonizing my diet as a vegetarian for the first 30-90 days of the year
-develop accessible and culturally relevant workshops/educational material/discussion group for the Asian Pacific Islander community
-explore eating disorders in API community
-study, research, and hang out with other folks involved in food-culture politics!
Happy Lunar New Year! I wish you all prosperity, good health, sound spirit, sufficient resources to accomplish your goals, healthy relationships, creative inspiration, a decolonized diet, a trip out of the US, and a conversation in your native/nonEnglish tongue!
