I used to really enjoy mama’s home cooking.

Then I got into healthy eating, learning about what various foods do to my body. I became more hesitant to embrace the often fatty, sugary foods that are staples of the American diet, wanting more fruits and vegetables and much less meat, cheese, pasta and gravy in my food. I also got to love bitter, spicy and strong flavors, which mama’s cooking never had.

Yet, I am well aware it’s only a few more meals I probably will get to enjoy from my mama’s kitchen. She’s getting up there in her years, and one day there will be no more home cooked meals from mama. Even though I choose to eat her meals now in moderation, going only for second helpings of fruits and vegetables, I certainly don’t want to reject what won’t be around forever.

And I will take home left overs when they’re available, though I will dish them out into smaller portions, and plan to add my own fruits, vegetables and other healthy ingredients to bolster the nutritional benefits of the food she cooks, all while savoring what is left over as what she cooks won’t be around forever.