Life in Jinan 23 June - 4 July, Part 2

Upon accepting this assignment to teach in Jinan, I was informed that the school doesn't provide meals and that meant I had to provide for myself. Well, those of you who know me very well.... I don't cook, I don't even cook in Dujiangyan. Most of my meals are traditional peanut butter / jelly sandwiches to fruits, vegetables, and anything I can steam in my rice cooker, which includes rice, an occasion Chinese sausage, pumpkin and steamed buns.

I really don't eat much, I mostly graze ... however, in Jinan, I was introduced to many nice people and most common inquiry, "Do you like Chinese food?" I actually grew up eating Chinese prepared meals, and Chinese people use common sense when involves eating... eat as much as need for you have control of your intake (tis why I like using chop sticks) and prepare portions of large meats into small nibbling bite size and have LOTS of vegetables (mmmmm, sounds tasty). With such small pieces of meat that assists the stomach with digestion, rather having large portioned meat which just sits inside a stomach SLOWLY being processed into small pieces.

Sure, I enjoy Chinese food and despite the visible signs of Pizza Hut, McDonalds and KFC, I continually have to remind myself that I'm in China. I DID sit inside a KFC with James when we went to Tai Mountain, but only HE ate one of their package meals in which ONLY I drank a KFC fruit beverage (no soda will ever touch these lips).

Now, you probably wondering what do I mean that I 'mostly graze'. Any dietitian will tell you that 'grazing' is the effective way to lose weight. Eat once you wake up in the morning which starts fueling your metabolism ... anyway, I'm not here to give weight lose advice... use common sense, and remember YES, HAVING BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY.... now I'll get down from my soapbox.

Back to my story...

Ok, there are times I really don't want to eat a meal, just want something small and edible. However, every time I meet with colleagues or new friends, I am inquired if I had breakfast, lunch or dinner... I immediately say that I'm quite satisfied what I just ate (please note, that by 1100am, I've already eaten 4 meals and drank three tall glasses of water). "Oh, Kaye, you look so thin! You've got to eat!" Why when I hear that comment, I feel as though I am at my parents' home?

When involved with food hunting skills, I usually visit the local supermarket in search of good grazing grounds. I'm so grateful that hunting is relatively simple, most items are clearly lableled with appealing pictures or have small 'windows' displaying its packaged contents. Anything not clearly lableled, I set my traps elsewhere, and, of course, chicken feet or head to pig feet or snout continually remains off my menu. If I'm wanting an already prepared meal, I rely on my pointing and nodding which effectively aids me in obtaining what I want so I don't have to struggle with my limited Chinese speaking.

Luckily, once the locals see me enough times in their store or passing their cart, they already know what I want without even asking. Hunting couldn't be any easier.