Welcome back to another double dose edition of the one and only The Beat Within. It’s OT reporting live to you guys from the land of hot lava where the earth shakes and quakes, Managua Nicaragua. Once again, I am blessed with the opportunity with bringing you guys my input, great ideas (I hope) and most importantly my voice and opinion on our writing prompts.
I feel as if I always pick something heavy to write about, well not heavy, but you know, from the heart and soul. So, I thought this week that I would switch it up to something a bit lighter.
The topic I’m going to go ahead and talk about is food because we all love food! Well, at least I do and I know many of you do too! I had to eat real quick because I got hungry just thinking about what I was going to write!
I went back to read some of what you young folks wrote about food. There was a lot of sea food boil, Mexican food, Chinese food, fried chicken soul food, Polynesian food, etc. Y’all even named some restaurants that I’ve personally went with my friends and family when I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
It’s funny how food brings out those nostalgic moments. Usually, when you remember or look back on a favorite meal, it’s usually impactful and easily remembered because it was a special moment you shared with someone you love and care about.
Sharing a meal, sitting down and eating with loved ones is what life is all about. Telling stories, listening to each other, learning from one another are good times, that we should always appreciate.
Food always brings people together. Different foods from different cultures intertwine together, people from different cultures, backgrounds, and even upbringings. Walk into any restaurant, Chinese, soul food, Mexican, pizzeria (Italian), etc., and you will find a sea of different colored people from different races, beliefs and ethnicities.
I think I may be saying something you all have personally seen or already know. That’s what makes America so great. It’s the diversity of all walks of people.
Let me not veer off subject. I actually love food so much, that I can’t really pick a favorite. Sometimes I feel like a plate of rice, beans, cheese, avocado and tortilla is the most delicious thing. Since, I’m forty-one years old now, I have to be careful about what I eat and when I eat it.
I love sweets, and that’s something I didn’t see too many people write about. I did read some of you write about your favorite cereals and chocolates. Shout outs to y’all because I love chocolate, and even though I no longer eat cereal like that, I love me some Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Honey Nut Cheerios.
I love brownies, red velvet cake, carrot cake, just to name a few. I also love ice cream, chocolate almond, coffee, and chocolate brownie. I could go on and on. My favorite drinks happen to sweet as well, except water.
I love me a glass of some old plain and cold water. Anyways, ya’ll I think I got a sweet tooth, haha. One of the things that has been crossing my mind lately is to open up a small food business out here, maybe outside of my house, or a small food truck/taco truck. I, actually got some hands in the kitchen.
I worked at a Mexican restaurant for two years when I was fifteen and sixteen years old and I learned how to cook Mexican food. For Birthdays and holidays, I’m the one behind the grill making carne asada, lemon pepper steak, or filet mignon a la jalapeño.
I think some of you would like my cooking. My girl sure loves it and so does her family, even my mom! My friends have been telling me that I should open up a spot at least just on the weekends as a side hustle.
Honestly, I love cooking for my family and friends, but it’s kind of scary thinking about cooking for people you don’t know. I honestly love my own cooking also. I like to try new recipes that I get from people on YouTube, and I’m pretty handy at following recipes.
I figure, that since I love food so much, why not make it my hobby, my passion, and my second job. I always see the joy on people’s faces when they eat my food, I could look at it like I’m spreading joy at the same time.
So, yeah, that’s probably something some of you all should look into also. I noticed how much passion some of y’all wrote with when food got mentioned. What if maybe going to a Culinary School is more up your alley, then doing a bunch of math and biology?
So, that’s where I’m at people. Should I do it? Any feedback? Where I find myself stuck in is what kind of food should I make for people to try? Should I do burritos, quesadillas, tacos, etc. Should I do just carne asada or grilled chicken? May be both? Heck, I’m even thinking about grilling hot dogs, but the kind that comes with grilled onions and bell peppers. I want to keep it simple and focus pretty much on one or two things, three things tops.
I may be missing out on my actual passion in life, who knows, right? I mean if we don’t try, we’ll never actually know, will we? There’s so much to do and not enough time, but I feel that may be a stigma.
Hard work is what is needed to chase our dreams and passion. Passion to me is work, but if you love doing what you’re doing, it’s not going to seem like work at all. That goes for anything that you do in life. I hope y’all enjoyed my lighthearted message and if anyone wants to give me any ideas on what I should cook, you can do so through your writing. I appreciate and love y’all.
Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams and passion. One love to everybody. Long live David Inocencio and The Beat keeps going and going…
Thanks Omar, for reminding us about how food can bring different people and cultures together, we all need and enjoy food. Thanks also to the talented Yuba County artist for the amazing “food fight” cover art! We hope that you will continue to find strength every day and like Omar says, don’t forget to chase your dreams and find your passion. What a great reminder for everyone. Sometimes we forget that anything worth having is worth working hard for. Remind yourself each day, that we can do hard things.