The Reagan dinner table from the CBS hit show Blue Bloods. The dinner table scenes have been hailed as the best part of the show.“People are at their best when they eat together.” ~ Matthew Sanford
I heard Matthew Sanford speak at the Yoga Journal Conference in New York this past weekend. I recently finished up his book Waking, about the car accident that left him paralyzed at age 13 and his yogic path that truly created his healing process. Matthew talks about how much he wanted to eat and how much he missed the act of eating in the early days of his physical recovery after the accident. His simple statement above really touched me so deeply – togetherness is the very best part of cooking, eating, and food in general.
In the past few months, I’ve started to cook more often. Every week, I take a few simple recipes, make my list, and take myself over to my local Whole Foods to gather the key ingredients. I’ve also had more people over to my tiny apartment to share a meal. My friends feel so grateful though they all always say, “You don’t need to go to any trouble for me.” It’s actually no trouble at all. It’s a joy for me to cook for them. In Matthew Sanford’s words, “It is a healing story.”
Food brings us together, and together, all healing is possible. Bon appetit! Mangia! Enjoy!
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
10 thoughts on “Beginning: The Healing Story of Eating”
This hits home!! No wonder we as a society really like holidays — it’s the food!!!
Funny how attitudes have changed- how eating now is a truly communal thing- something we can all enjoy together- often in parties people congregate in kitchens and it is very much thought of as the heart of home. Just recently saw an excellent (BBC) documentary serioes on the history of rooms (in our houses) and not too long ago- the upper classes thought of food and cooking smells so vulgar, they especially desiged houses so that kitchens would be as far away as possible from any living areas…
Right on, food definitely brings people together! The inner-baker in me came out while I was away on exchange, and my love for food has only grown. Be it cooking or baking, it’s all suc a powerful act of therapy and relaxation 🙂
What a terrific post: thank you so much for your contribution.
You are bang on target here, as usual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to invite people over to your home. Share a nice meal with them. Chat and have a jolly, good time.
What a great way to spend your time. How nice of you too.
Once you break bread and share wine, it is difficult to hold a grudge. Anger dissolves over a dinner table. How true.
I want to encourage you, however, to experiment more with your culinary skills. Broaden your horizons and expand your choices. Our world is so rich with cuisines and recipes.
It gladdened my heart to know that you are a good cook.
This is something you should be proud of. I am secretly a wee bit jealous. How I wish I had your fab talent. Great work.
So awesome to read this one – I’ve had people to many of my tiny apartments for years, even if it’s just the salad I made and the pizza I ordered! There’s something so incredibly awesome to me about having my dining room table’s 8 chairs filled with family and friends while we enjoy a meal….
You’re due a visit Christa…. you’re gonna fit right in!!!
Christa Avampato 
This hits home!! No wonder we as a society really like holidays — it’s the food!!!
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Holidays are best – for the food and the company!
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Funny how attitudes have changed- how eating now is a truly communal thing- something we can all enjoy together- often in parties people congregate in kitchens and it is very much thought of as the heart of home. Just recently saw an excellent (BBC) documentary serioes on the history of rooms (in our houses) and not too long ago- the upper classes thought of food and cooking smells so vulgar, they especially desiged houses so that kitchens would be as far away as possible from any living areas…
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Such a silly notion right? If I ever get the chance to design my own house, I’m putting a big ol’ kitchen right in the middle of it!
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Right on, food definitely brings people together! The inner-baker in me came out while I was away on exchange, and my love for food has only grown. Be it cooking or baking, it’s all suc a powerful act of therapy and relaxation 🙂
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You said it – cooking = relaxation, therapy, and then of course the delicious reward of getting to eat the goods 🙂
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Christa,
What a terrific post: thank you so much for your contribution.
You are bang on target here, as usual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to invite people over to your home. Share a nice meal with them. Chat and have a jolly, good time.
What a great way to spend your time. How nice of you too.
Once you break bread and share wine, it is difficult to hold a grudge. Anger dissolves over a dinner table. How true.
I want to encourage you, however, to experiment more with your culinary skills. Broaden your horizons and expand your choices. Our world is so rich with cuisines and recipes.
It gladdened my heart to know that you are a good cook.
This is something you should be proud of. I am secretly a wee bit jealous. How I wish I had your fab talent. Great work.
Cheerio.
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Archan,
I love that line “anger dissolves over the dinner table.” Ain’t that the truth, and how lucky we are to know that!
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So awesome to read this one – I’ve had people to many of my tiny apartments for years, even if it’s just the salad I made and the pizza I ordered! There’s something so incredibly awesome to me about having my dining room table’s 8 chairs filled with family and friends while we enjoy a meal….
You’re due a visit Christa…. you’re gonna fit right in!!!
❤
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Totally agree, Urs. The food that’s made (or ordered!) barely matters. It’s the company that counts 🙂 Can’t wait to visit!
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