My love for food..

I have always gotten the question - Why do you love food so much?

It's pretty simple actually.. Food brings people together, no matter what the circumstances.

There's nothing better than having your whole family home around the same table for dinner - for as long as I remember my family and I sat around the table, had dinner and then spoke for hours about our day, any problems we might have, movies we’ve watched, literally anything. The dinner table has always been my safe space, and I tend to give that to my family one day.

Food is a catalyst that brings people together. Having the entire family together at your grandparents' house for Christmas Eve dinner or a Sunday Lunch, treating a friend to a birthday dinner, or annual family celebrations are perfect ways to keep in touch and connect with your family and friends that you might not see regularly.

If a distant family member or friend I hadn't seen in a while was in Cape Town and offered to take me out to dinner to 'catch up', you bet I would take them up on the offer. Food is a wonderful thing that can bring people together and can help you keep the ones you love close.

Food is social.. Think about how many times you've texted a friend and said 'hey wanna get ice cream' or 'rise and shine we're getting brunch'. Even though you might not realize it, tons of social events are centered around food. Birthday or holiday dinners, city trips, lunch dates, cocktail parties, happy hours, and even pizza parties in your bedroom.

The minute someone says 'there will be food' so many more people are willing to show up to the event or social gathering. People bond over food they enjoy and there are many different communities, like the vegan community, that have been formed all based on similar diets. Food makes everything more fun and it's a great way to get friends together and to connect with others!

Food is always there for you, it never lets you down..

Problem: Unexpected breakup

Solution: A trip to Unframed for your favorite ice cream and your bff's shoulder to cry on.

Problem: Haven't started studying for your final exam tomorrow

Solution: Bootleggers iced latte with a double shot of espresso and a bowl of cereal - never disappoints.

Problem: Binge watching your favorite series (Emily in Paris) on Netflix and you didn't realize how emotionally invested you were until now

Solution: Woolies Chocolate brownies and a social media rant

SEE???? You can always turn to food to make you feel better, even if it is just for a little bit. People even use food as motivation for finishing their homework before they can take a study break to eat. After a bad day or after something makes you sad sometimes all you need is comfy clothes, a good movie, and a tub of ice cream to cure everything.

It makes any event better.. The minute someone texts saying 'there will be food', I'm 200% more likely to show up to the party or event. Food makes everything better, especially a party and don’t get me started on a wedding. Themed parties like fiestas wouldn't be complete without tacos and chips and guac..

It's so fun to make.. Food is straight up fun to make. Getting recipes online, inspo from Pinterest and Instagram pages, watching cooking shows, or even making your family's traditional recipes is so enjoyable.

There's nothing more satisfying than pulling your homemade, delicious smelling creation out of the oven and of course snapping pictures to show off on social media and watching those you love enjoy every bite.

You’re always learning when it comes to food, whether it be about a new culture or country or new technique..Traveling to new countries and trying their native food is so interesting and fun. It allows you to understand the culture more without anyone even having to say anything. Grilled chicken in Khao Kalok south of Hua Hin, Thailand, Homemade pasta in Italy, or even fresh strawberries picked off of a farm in Paarl gives you more or a glimpse into the lives of people living in different parts of the world and can even help you appreciate their culture a little more.

It makes you feel good.. Although I'm unlikely to turn down sweets or a slice of pizza, there's no denying that healthy eating makes you feel good inside and out. When you eat healthy and take care of yourself, you have more energy, look more alive, and are bound to be more confident. Healthy food like fruits and vegetables make you feel good and a lifestyle full of healthy eating can change someone's life for the better.

It tastes so damn good!! Despite all of the other great things food brings to the table, people eat food because of the way it tastes. Whether it's the sweetness of the glaze on a donut or the spicy flavor of wasabi on a sushi roll, eating and enjoying good tasting food is what a food lovers life is all about.

Food is much more than what it seems on the surface. It is powerful and makes differences in people's everyday lives. Now that you've read this, I hope you have a greater appreciation for food and are able to recognize its impact and the way it makes you feel the next time someone sends you a box of chocolates on Valentines Day or invites you to a dinner party.