“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”

– Julia Child

After spending several hours yesterday dicing peaches and packaging them for the freezer, you might think that food would be the last thing on my mind.  This would probably be true except for two things.  First, I have a basket full of tomatoes, squash, and peppers on my kitchen counter from an evening trip to my garden.  Second, today marks the birth of everyone’s favorite French Chef, Julia Child.  I was delighted to discover that today was her birthday, because it brings back many fond memories of young adulthood, when I would pour a glass of wine and watch her cook on TV.  The wine was essential, both for mood and to loosen me up a little so I could laugh at her quirky way of presenting the recipe du jour.

Years have gone by, and Julia is no more; but for my birthday this year, my Favorite Child (Emily) gave me a DVD of the recent film, Julie & Julia.  Whisked into the story of a blogger who cooked her way through Julia Child’s cookbook in a year, was the story of the remarkable woman who defied the odds by leaving her role as housewife to join the great chefs of Europe — all men — in culinary school.  It was a delightful trip through the unconventional life of the woman whose name has become a household word.  Had I known her story in my younger years, I would have saved that glass of wine for the end of her broadcast and toasted her with a hearty “bon apetit!”  I suppose you can tell that I think you should find this movie and give it a look.  It may inspire you to persevere in the pursuit of your own dream.

I’m thinking now of the garden veggies on the kitchen counter, and also of the basketful of pears that sits ripening next to the back door.  I think it’s fortuitous that Julia was born at the time of the harvest, because now I am inspired to take some of that bounty and create a magnificent dinner in her memory.  I am not a French chef, but I can grill a mean supper on my Kenmore deluxe.  How about some foil pockets with sliced squash, green peppers, and cherry tomatoes?  I’ll add a bit of chopped onion, some fresh mushrooms, a touch of cilantro, and — for Julia, of course — a tablespoon of butter.  It may be time to learn how to poach a pear or two and serve them on a bed of lettuce with a bit of cheese on the side.  My mind floats dreamily through the possibilities, and I try to remember whether we have an appropriate bottle of wine tucked away somewhere.

I worry that Julia might see my menu as diet food, but then I remember that she might have been referring to something more than dinner when she spoke those words.  She also is quoted as saying:

“Life itself is the proper binge.”

When you take her words in that context, they convey a different message about diet food.  Let us follow Julia Child’s example, and when life serves us a banquet with unlimited choices, let us remember that this is no time to be on a diet and stand by the relish tray crunching on a carrot stick.  Be adventurous when you come to life’s banquet.  Pull up a chair and savor the flavors.

Bon Apetit!