[€uroMeinke]

As an unashamed hedonist, I take pleasure in food and have the waistline to show for it. I wish it were otherwise and fantasize of trips to Paris, where I could eat whatever I wanted, food most delicious leaving me satisfied, smiling and – unbelievable but true – lighter. Fresh ingredients, small portions packed with flavor, I don’t know why but if I could eat like a Parisian I would be most happy and probably healthy.

Sadly, I hear the French are succumbing to our American ways – more processed foods and convenience foods are increasing the size of the average Frenchman.

I think what frustrates me most is the food I eat without pleasure, the fast food lunches I take because I can just drive-thru. I hate the psychology at play where ordering a “small” makes me think I’ll be less satisfied with my meal. Today my lunch dilemma sent me to Quiznos – where I ordered a “regular” sandwich with a Rosemary bread that sounded at least some flavored compensation for the bland meal I would have.

Bread shall be my downfall –oh for the hard crust of a genuine baguette, or the delicate flakey-crispiness of an actual croissant – I haven memories of such foods that trick me into trying yet another ersatzes doughy chew – I would love to eat better, pull my meal fresh from the morning market, or as a little aside in my café lunch – but the Spartaness of steamed veggies returns food to simple fuel.

But I still think back to Paris, where food can be a rarely disappointing pleasure and I have to think that perhaps this should be the next focus of my hedonism – to tease the pleasure of eating back into my mouth and combat the laziness of convenience that tricks me into believing I am fulfilled when really I am settling.

It’s time for a revolution.