Foodie vs. Food-Lover

A few weeks ago, I read an article about the decline of the word "foodie."  Since everyone and their brother were now foodies, did that word really mean anything these days?  Couldn't people just say they loved food?  I thought it was fairly ridiculous at the time.  I mean, I got what they were saying, but just let people call themselves what they want to be called.

Cut to this weekend.  I was eating dinner with my friends at a new restaurant, and doing my food-happy dance - as you do - and I said at the time that there were about 7 things in the world that made me truly happy.  Food being one of them.  But it was more than that, it was yummy food.  Not something bizarre just for the heck of it.  Not something so crazy, that I just had to try it.  It's really good food full of delicious ingredients that makes me the happiest.

That's when I figured it out.  Maybe I'm not a foodie - though I strive to be one since being brave is on the list of to-dos - but I'm most definitely a food-lover.  And I'm 100% ok with that.  Some people just don't get excited about new restaurants or new menu items to try.  But I do!  I probably won't be guest hosting for Anthony Bourdain or judging on Top Chef any time soon.  But what I'm going to do is eat delicious food, try new places and new things, and keep reading about food and the food industry.  That is what makes me happiest. (Though I do wish - only sometimes - that exercise and dieting made me happiest... : )