..No, not the book or the film. But the notion of each and how they relate to each other has been a meditative thought of mine of late. I love all three, of which I am sure you, dear readers are not surprised to hear. When <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Pray,_Love">Elizabeth Gilbert</a> titled her book as such, it was more a descriptive facet than a series of words to contemplate together, but a recent conversation has me thinking of the connection between the three. 

Eating for some is a function. My friends dad eats to survive. Purely and simply. There is no enjoyment in the variety, the colours, the spices, the textures...the biggest shame of it all is his wife is an amazing cook. Maybe he has a taste-bud disability that is undiagnosed or some such..But for me eating is an opportunity to create memories and shared experience. A room full of people eating the same animal or the produce from the same farm land that has been lovingly washed, seasoned, sauteed or braised. Watched. Stirred. Watched. Simmered..it's like the food was part of a choreographed piece before it reached the table and for what? Through love. 

I always joke and tell my friends that the best ingredient in a dish is love - but I believe it to be true. When I am stressed or rushed my food tastes the same. Not quite seasoned right, crunchy where it should be soft, soft where it should be  Relaxed and happy, my dishes are rich and jolly to the tongue.