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Monday, July 15, 2013

Chris' Food Journey

I am so VERY excited about today's post!!  Today, Chris (of Chris and Jenn) is going to take you through HIS food journey!!!  And what a journey it has been!!  Chris and I have talked about him doing a guest post for a while now... and today is the day!!  I don't want to say too much and I don't want to get all gushy, but I do want to say thank you to him.  He is my biggest supporter when it comes to my blog and honestly, without him, this journey of mine would never have been what is today. So, thank you, Chris...xoxoxo
And now.... without further ado............
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Greetings to you all! This is Chris (Jenn's fiancé) and today I will be taking over Jenn's Food Journey for this guest post. Why? Well mostly because I have been a lucky recipient of every single dish featured on here so I thought I should contribute something. Though I won't be posting a recipe, as you can see from the accompanying photo I don't cook, instead I will be sharing with you MY story of how I became the happiest passenger on Jenn's Food Journey.

If you're a regular visitor to Jenn's blog you know I am a lucky man. She's a talented lady in the kitchen. The truth is before being with Jenn I didn't even care about food. I was a single guy with a busy lifestyle (that's not true at all I just put that in to make myself sound active) and had almost no regard for food. When hungry I ate, that was about the extent of thought I put into any given meal. I was a connoisseur of microwavable boxed foods, frozen burritos, ham sandwiches and virtually any fast food or precious leftover from Sunday meals at my sisters'. Food just didn't matter to me. I'm a designer and musician and spend countless hours engaged in front of the computer or playing some instrument. Eating while computing or playing guitar is a no no. Food was merely sustenance necessary to keep from passing out...or dying I suppose. In fact I remember times actually being annoyed I had to stop what I was doing and eat!

(Chris and I - photo taken by a friend, Sara Meisner)

When I met Jenn I was fascinated that she was a food enthusiast. She offered to come cook me dinner one night when we first started dating. I figured that would be cool. It would certainly be the first time any actual cooking would take place in my man cave apartment. Not to mention I had never been with a woman who could cook. I remember thinking, even if she's a lousy cook it can't be worse than what I was gonna have. So indeed she came over with a bag of groceries, assessed my pathetic collection of barely used cooking utensils and proceeded to create a meal I will never forget. The smells that filled my dinky dwelling, how sexy this woman looked in my crappy kitchen cooking for me and the fineness and actual cooking skill she seemed to possess are the overwhelming first memories of that fine evening. Then we ate.

She prepared goat cheese & spinach stuffed chicken breasts with veggies; zucchini or maybe broccoli I think...might have been a baked potato? It doesn't matter the chicken is what I remember. The perfectly pan seared golden brown outer skin and creamy goat cheese made my head spin. I didn't even know I liked goat cheese! That was just the beginning of many food discoveries Jenn led me to that I can't believe I once lived without. I knew right then this girl was special. It may have been a simple meal by some standards but to me it was gourmet cooking. It isn't as if I had no taste for good food it all it was just that until this night I had forgotten the joy of eating good food at home with someone you care about. She doesn't know it but I'm pretty sure I proposed to her right then and there in my mind after taking the first bite.

Food quickly became a big part of our weekends together. Her cooking. Me eating. She introduced me to the Food Network. I knew there was a food channel but I never watched it. Who the hell could sit and watch cooking shows all day? It turned out to be a major source of entertainment in our early romance...and continues to be. I had no idea that watching food could be entertaining. I didn't even know who Bobby Flay was? I'll admit it may have been Giada that actually held my attention first but I digress.

So now after 5 plus years here I am nearly a food expert because of Jennifer! Okay not really, but I actually appreciate food and flavor again. Jenn has taught me so much about good food through simple easy dishes we enjoy nightly. I admit she does get frustrated with me from time to time because I can be picky but I will always, mostly, sometimes try anything.  I will say this, the posts she does are all eaten by me and they do taste as good as they look I promise you that.

I hope I have not bored anyone but that's the end of the story. We live happily…and enjoy Jenn's great food daily. This post is really my tribute to her. She is a woman of many talents. I'm fortunate one of those talents is skills in the kitchen. I'm actually healthier because of her! I admire her dedication to this blog and can attest to the hard work she puts into it each and every day. As I said before I don't cook...at all. So my real contribution is to clean the kitchen every night. My philosophy is and will always be; if she cooks I will clean. Many of you have your own food blogs and I hope your significant does the same, or if you have kids of course make them do it. We owe you for the love and nourishment you bring us through food. 

Thanks for reading everyone and be sure and leave a comment because my ego needs the attention and Jenn LOVES comments!!! 

PS (to the owner of this fine food blog). Thanks for letting me take over your blog today babe. I love you! xoxo 

PSS (to the readers)…if you want the recipe for the delicious dish shown I will be happy to share that as well perhaps in a future guest post….or you can read the instructions on the package. ;) 

©

(Chris and I having a little fun!!)

Two Years Ago:  Mediterranean Steaks

13 comments:

Big Dude said...

"Food was merely sustenance necessary to keep from passing out...or dying I suppose." - I sometimes wish I were more that way. Sounds like Jenn changed part of your life (likely other parts as well) and I really like what you had to say about the experience - well written and I would like to hear from you more often. Left to my own devices and when in lazy mode, my meals look very much like yours, so no recipe needed here :-).

Yenta Mary said...

You two are adorable together!!! People bond - and even fall in love - over food ... :) Jenn is, indeed, a fabulous woman and you are so, so lucky to have her in your life, Chris! I'm lucky to call her my friend, and she's lucky to have such a generous supporter ... and eater! A huge MAZAL TOV to you both!!!

Jenifer said...

Awesome Chris!! You are indeed a lucky man!! And you're a good man to clean the kitchen. Every cook needs some help with the clean up!!! I love this blog and taking a look at Jenn's recipes!!

Lea Ann said...

Well what a fabulous post! And nice to meet you Chris. My husband was somewhat the same way when we met. His mother had not been a good cook, his x-wife didn't cook and when she did it wasn't edible, so his opinion of home cooked food was somewhat negative and meals non-existent. Which made cooking for him and his teenage sons a lot of fun for me. What a great story you've shared and you're a good writer. She's lucky to have you in her life too, not everyone is appreciative like you. And to realize it so quickly is a solid gold trait. Sending a big ol' virtual hug your direction. And had to LOL over your last comment about reading the instructions on the package. Hope you hijack the blog a little more often.

Lea Ann said...

Ok, I'm back, I was so interested in the story that I failed to notice your photo/styling. Nice. You've accomplished what we're all supposed to do and that is to tell a story with the photo. You've done that, because I think you ate half the potato chips during the photo session. ;) Love the plate and fork.

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh!!!! that's lovely! yes you are a lucky man and I"m SOOOOOOOOOO glad you are such a supportive guy :)
Mary x

Pam said...

Nicely done Chris. You are a lucky man and Jenn is also lucky that you appreciate her cooking! Great post.

Angie's Recipes said...

Lucky you, Chris. Hopefully one day I can get to taste Jenn's food.

Unknown said...

so great to meet you Chris... we've heard so much about you and it's so wonderful to finally hear from the horses mouth, as it were... a brilliant post... you're very lucky to have each other and very lucky to have Jenn as such an amazing friend and cook!... and someone to watch The Walking Dead with....

Anonymous said...

So what did you do after that first meal in your kitchen? lol lol lol lol

Jenn's Mom said...

You leave me utterly speechless! And, for those who know me, that's somewhat of a miracle! I know you love my daughter, but your public expression of that love made me cry. Thank God you found each other - you're perfect together & we love you both. If you proposed in your mind the first time you tasted her food, what took you so long to get it out!! LOL!!!

© said...

Thanks for reading and for all the nice comments everyone. It was fun. You havnt heard the last of me I promise.

Chris said...

What a great post. You are a wise man to know how lucky you are and I know that Jennifer feels the same way about you.

"even if she's a lousy cook it can't be worse than what I was gonna have." that line about made me fall out of my chair laughing.