HOMEMADE FOOD

Earlier this week I found myself stopping off at an increasingly popular budget supermarket to pick up ingredients for some homemade food festive treats.

As I stopped in the car park, it started to rain fairly heavily- the icy kind that seems to go right through you.

I collected a trolley and as I did, I passed a man selling the magazine – The Big Issue.

I didn’t stop to buy one, I was only getting some vegetables I thought.

His obvious discomfort struck me

I felt instantly guilty.

I went in, bought bunches of beetroot, vine ripened tomatoes, flour, potatoes, apples, oranges, some canned tomatoes, chocolate and some fresh pizza and sweets for the kids.

As I walked past the centre aisles, I also found a Christmas gift for my daughter.

Phew, I said to the cashier as he weighed the tomatoes and beetroot, at least that’s one thing less to worry about.

He smiled politely as he placed the vegetables back in the box.

I left the store, placed the food, etc. in the boot along with my bag.

All I had to do was take the trolley back and I could go home to start the chutney.

I went back in the boot and took £4 from my wallet.

I returned the trolley and asked the man how much the Big Issue was now.

He showed me it was £3.

I gave him £3 and he gave me a magazine. I gave him the other £1 and said get something to eat from the bakery inside.

What does this have to do with homemade food

A lot really.

Growing up, we didn’t have much. Guess a family of six first and then seven will do that.

What’s more my mother portioned everything and there was no such thing as second helpings.

If you were hungry you had to wait until the next meal or eat bread.

I guess I understood about hunger from an early age

As I started earning my own money as a teenager this wasn’t such an issue.

I bought fresh fruit and things like milk for myself almost every day.

But the understanding of hunger came back when I left the house aged 18 and paid my way through university on one meal a day.

Probably why I usually cook for a small army now

I hope I never have to experience that again.

Truth is even though we didn’t have a lot, we didn’t waste food either.

So, if I didn’t want anything or had enough, I gave it to someone else who was hungry.

In Southern Africa, there were and are plenty of hungry people

But somehow here it’s seen as charity. In Southern Africa, it’s just life.

Cold, stark and not a pleasant reality.

The truth is, I make homemade food because for me it’s a real comfort and as close as I’m going to get to my life in Africa for now.

For me food culture is what I’m passing on to my children and the thing I share with those I care about.

Does £4 (or £1) make a difference

Only time will tell.

That man wasn’t begging; he was a homeless man trying to earn some money in a legitimate way.

So, as he works his way back from whatever his circumstances are, I rest assured that a single act of kindness when multiplied can and does make a difference.

Even if it just says, I see you

So, this weekend I went about M’s Kitchen, grateful for the blessings of a roof over my head, work and food to eat.

But the greatest gifts I’ll ever have to share are love and acts of kindness – albeit small.

Best thing, these are free to give.

My honest request, don’t be scared to help someone

Because it’s not charity, it’s integrity.

This is fundamental to who we are as Southern Africans and everyone who understands about the greater balance.

Helping someone on the way back up, may just be the best thing you’ll ever do.

Sending you love from M’s Kitchen always.