Hummers Vs. Beckoners: If Foods Could Speak What Would They Say?

Earlier this evening I had a few too many of my favorite dark chocolate raspberry jellies from Trader Joe’s as I sat on the sofa and watched one of my favorite shows, TLC's What Not To Wear. I notice that I don’t feel as light and buoyant as I’d like to right now, instead I feel full and sluggish, maybe even desirous of taking a nap. Yawn. Doesn’t feel so good.

I know that there is a vast difference when I eat something and it hums in my body. Those jellies are definitely not humming now.

I know that I chose them because I was feeling overstressed from working too late and I fell into the rut of not taking care of myself and listening to what I wanted. I guess I also wanted a reward. Isn’t that interesting. I wonder what that is about?

Geneen Roth mentions that there are two types of foods; hummers and beckoners.

For all intents and purposes those blasted jellies were beckoning me to eat them tonight as I sat and mindlessly tuned out watching TV. Other beckoning foods in my house are the Cheez Twists from Trader Joes’, Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream, assorted chocolates that we have in the cabinets or perhaps the Carvel ice cream cake in the freezer. All those foods have been quiet for a long time.

Basically a hummer is a food that you often enjoy eating, something that makes you feel good from the inside out. My favorite hummers are homemade chicken noodle soup, toast with I can't Believe It's Not Butter spread, peppermint tea with milk and sugar, oatmeal, fruit and cottage cheese, cereals, applesauce and Dannon whole milk yogurt, strawberry.

What do you notice about what foods are calling your name this weekend? Be aware that today’s hummers can become tomorrow’s beckoners. Have fun this weekend noticing the difference between the two types of foods.

Let me know what you discover.

Comments

[betsy davenport phd]

I see this entry has been here for some time, and I am just now learning your language -- "juicy" is new to me, in this context.

But I think I'm catching on, and here is why. I grew up on a dairy farm in Penna. We ate wonderful food all year round, almost all of it grown and/or made at home. Milk of course was a staple. My mother made ice cream several times a week from a recipe she devised so it would freeze right in the fridge.

Over the years as my particular style of beauty underwent some changes here and there, I would periodically vow not to eat ice cream.

About 15 years ago or more, I got smart about it. I swore off of swearing off of ice cream. Forever. It's much nicer this way and while I have sometimes taken stupid pride in the realization that I was now eating less ice cream than before, I have also sworn off of making such observations.

Ice ream is a staple in this house. That's it. I can eat it whenever I please, and last week that meant breakfast. Big deal.

That's the thing. I do not eat "wrong." I eat. I eat food. So what? I eat meals, snacks, whatever. Food is fine.

Food is just food. It is not sinful or virtuous or anything like that.

It's FOOD.

[Andrea Amador]

Hi Paulina,

I have another one for you. If you like that, have you ever heard of an Orange Dream Machine made by Jamba Juice? It's fresh orange juice, orange sherbet and vanilla Soy Milk. I tasted one the other day and it was 'curl your toes' delicious.

Enjoy!

Andrea

[Pauline]

I just discovered a hummer which at times is a beckoner, too.

I was in the mood for trying something new so I ordered a Light Orange Laccino at my favourite coffeeshop. Wow, I was impressed with the taste! Basically it's an ice shake with fresh orange juice (the only "light " thing is the fatfree milk in it - yeah, right, and what about the icecream in it? Well, whatever). It was delicious!!!!!

But I only reserve it for special treats, otherwise it will lose its uniqueness.

[Jan Beasley]

All I can say is Cherry Garcia is for me both a hummer and a beckoner. Years ago I was in Vermont and toured the Ben & Jerry's factory. Imagine my delight when the free sample they served at the end of the tour was Cherry Garcia, my absolute favorite ice cream. Some things are worth giving in to, and that's definitely one of them! If it's occasional and not over-indulged, I think we can get that "hum" from something that beckons strongly!