I Am Quirky, Not Odd.
I have very odd eating habits.
- I like to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their traditional times.
- Dinner can be no earlier than 6:30 pm, otherwise I will snack the rest of the night away.
- I am physically incapable of eating between meals.
- I can’t eat for at least an hour before or after going to the gym.
- I can’t go to sleep for at least a 2.5 hours after dinner.
- I cannot mix countries, e.g. I can’t eat a piece of lasagna and fried rice at the same time. You can only imagine how taxing Las Vegas buffets are on my already fragile mental state.
Most of the time I like to refer to my eating habits as “quirky.” Why? Well because quirky people are admirably eccentric while odd people are just…odd.
It's obvious Maya didn't inherit her lovely eating habits from me...
Ali, on the other hand, can eat anything at any time and in any place. Just yesterday for example, he ate all of the following, from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
- Leftover noodles courtesy of Maya’s Panda Express dinner
- Spaghetti with green beans
- Chocolate Chip Banana bread
- Tea
- Oatmeal with flax and granola
In between number 2 & 3 Ali hit the gym for a 20 minute “workout.” And then 10 minutes after number 5 he went to bed. So basically, he violated each and every one of my rules.
I don’t define Ali’s habits as quirky though, I define his eating habits as bizarre. And slightly disgusting. Why? Well for one thing it’s true, and for another it makes me feel better about myself.
And shouldn’t that be my main priority?
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Excactly! You are unique and special! I used to think some of the things I did were strange, but I’ve learned that normal is a relative term. But I’m totally with you on #6, I can’t mix countries either!
I envy your ability to pull off #3 and #5. I’m physically capable of eating at any time, anywhere. Looks like Ali and I have something in common here.
haha – you are a little quirky. 🙂
I snack between all meals.
I like to eat dinner exactly at 6:00 so I can have a snack around 8:30.
Hey!! Quirky is good. Or at least that is what I am trying to tell all who look at me funny. Of course I love Liverwurst sandwiches with mayo and sweet pickles. What does that say about me.
I do many of those things too. The only one I don’t do is the eating before bed. I can eat up to an hour before going to bed.
Its the quirky habits that are the best 🙂
I’m quirky, too. I think it could just be a gender thing. I remember when my brother and I were in high school and he would seriously eat 3 or 4 bowls of cereal and go to bed. I was aware he was growing… but seriously? That’s a box of cereal every other day!
Oooh, I like that. Quirky. I’m a crazy picky eater and most people would say my food habits are odd. You know what? I’m going with quirky from now on.
Well then that I would be disgusting ;).
Liked this post!
Daaaaaahling, its our little eccentricities that make us special :D. I certainly have my own. For example. I will only go to the gym in the morning, after about 12, I can not force myself to do it. I also like to plan everything to a T, and if it doesnt go my way …. well lets just say that tantrums have been known to happen 😉
*kisses* HH
it is pretty interesting to read about your habits and then compare them to Ali’s. Oh how different you two hare! great shot of maya stuffing her face!
Quirky is definitely good! I am a crazy snacker.. lots of little meals. But, hey – whatever works for you, works for you! And when Ali is waking up at 2am with indigestion from his Panda Express antics, you can roll over and rest assured that you won’t have the same problem.
I like your rules Ameena – they are similar to my naroctic post 😉
I don’t eat 2 hours before bedtime and though I’ve never thought about it, I don’t mix countries either!
I wish I had your eating habits! HAH! I could eat anytime, anyplace. But like you, I can’t mix cuisines. It’s just…wrong.
I fully believe in using whatever labels I need to make myself feel better.
I am not a fan of mixing countries either. *Especially* on one plate. Shudder.
you play by the same rules i do.
ian devours an entire meal and then knocks out in like 10 minutes…makes me feel really gross.
Absolutely! I emulate your same eating issues – esp the mixing of countries – and I have the no mixing of meat issue. I can’t stand bacon on my hamburger. That might be heresy.
I think making yourself feel good is a top priority. What a great guy he is for doing those thing just to boost your eating self esteem!
Is it wrong that I want whatever Maya is eating in that picture? Is it more wrong that I don’t even know what it is, but I still want some? I’m guessing it’s ice cream or something creamy. “Creamy” is a magical word for me :-D.
We all have our eating quirks, some more bizarre than others ;-). At least your hubby doesn’t eat his chips and nuts with chopsticks. Somehow that sentence just sounds wrong on so many levels. Lol. Have a great day quirky lady 😉
I can’t even pick up a piece of broccoli with chopsticks, nevermind nuts. That is a impressive, if “quirky” talent your husband has!
Lucky for you that you aren’t a snacker! Quirky is a great word for being different. I’m quirky too…or eccentric works too.
aside from #2 i am exactly like you. so i basically make sure to eat my meals at particular times and then snack the rest of the day. so i guess i’m a mix of both you and ali hahah
so i guess i can describe myself as quirky too 🙂
ohhh gosh I love your rules…they are so neat!
I have absolutely no rules….I should.
I eat when I feel like I am going to pass out (jk).
actually I’ve woken up and eaten my weight of eggs, and not eat until 3 pm.
I am so everywhere some days. but I just try to honor my bodies signals.
my husband can eat like that too and go to bed…crazy.
I can’ eat and then workout either…tummy ache.
I can however mix all countries and nationalities and cuisines! YUM.
hehe
don’t invite me over for dinner…I’m pretty dang odd! no quirky here. just odd.
oxoxxo
haha oh Ameena! I love your posts so much. 🙂
I like to think of myself as quirky too . . . it just sounds better.
I don’t think your eating habits are strange at all! I think they are quite normal 🙂 Your daughter is so beautiful BTW!
Ameena,
I don’t think i am following any one of the rules. My breakfast, lunch and dinner depend upon our little one time.
Hm, I’ve discovered I’m physically incapable of NOT eating between meals! I can’t get enough calories otherwise. I think everyone has weird eating habits. I’ve had a certifiable “disorder” so I’m always hyper aware of mine. My sister is a very “normal” eater though, yet has many quirks. I do share your #6 regarding mixing countries! I can’t stand doing that either. Maybe it’s a little OCD, but it doesn’t really affect my life. Ha.
I like that you have “quirky” food habits as well. I don’t like mixing flavors- like a banana split is just awful because I can’t eat banana with chocolate. The two separate are ok but together? That’s insane.
my quirky habits seem to change every day. does that make me normal?!
Haha, I think it is quirky. I bet it is hard with 3 people in the house on different feeding schedules/ideas, but I would guess Maya is more like her dad then when it comes to that.
Everyone has quirks when it comes to food… but oatmeal 5 mins before bed? Just odd.
Its high time I introduce your Ali with my Murtaza. They might be lost brothers or something. Insane. He wants to eat between meals all the time and I hate that.Even making something for him, the smell and aroma kills my hunger for the right meal time!
And. I can’t sleep atleast 2.5-3 hrs after dinner.Or do anything else for that matter 😉 . And he doesnt get that either.
I hate eating and going to bed. Ramadan is a big problem.
I also hate eating and working out.
Oh and I need something sweet after I eat something salty. The cycle never ends.
Hey Ameena, yes, it’s just fine if it makes you feel better about yourself. Well, as long as you’re not too mean to him about his disgustingness (smile) in reference to your obvious superiority;-).
Oh, and I have quirky eating habits too, but I can mix countries. And at least we’re not like my sister-in-law. None of her food can touch on her plate or be in her mouth at the same time. Freak of the week she is (smile again)!
My husband comes home from work and will promptly make short work of everything in the house (country of origin aside) because he doesn’t bother to eat all day. His list of eats would drown Ali’s, and be slightly less healthy – despite my efforts to influence as such.
Does this mean no grazing tapas in Barcelona? No 3 am breakfasts after a night clubbing & gambling in Vegas? No scarfing nutella crepes from a cart at the Palais Chaillot looking out over Paris & the Eiffel Tower? No high tea in London?
No wonder you have such a sylph-like model’s figure, all lean & leggy & je ne sais quoi, Ameena!
*toddles off for mid-morning illy fix while dreaming of Ameena’s chocolate chip banana bread*
I will say that I make an exception for high tea but in that case I usually don’t lunch. And then I’m confused about what to do about dinner? I realize I am nuts. I just can’t help it.
Loved reading about your eating habits. I also have trouble falling asleep after eating…even if I’m sleepy! No idea why that is, lol!
OMG your eating habits are EXACTLY like my husband’s. Quite shocking that I am able to read about someone else with the same crazy eating habits. I’m certainly more like your husband. Enjoyable post as usual Ameena 🙂
To quote Forrest Gump (or his mom) “what does normal mean anyways?” we are all strange, bizzare, quirky and just plain weird… and the weirdest we call artsy
You don’t snack? I love snacking! I’m more of a snack monster than an eat-3-meals-a-day person.
Yay for quirkiness! 😀
I can’t eat anything solid in the 2 or 3 hours after getting up. Makes me feel sick. Perhaps that’s a relic from my school time when my dad made me eat breakfast befor school, and I felt icky until lunch every day. My mom is also not a breakfast eater, so there’s where it comes from. 🙂
A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do Ameena 🙂 Quirky is awesome!
Lucky for me, you are making me feel better too! Because I have a lot of those quirks as well. People tend to really stare me down for the eating at traditional times part. It comes off as very OCD to certain friends and family members, who don’t mind eating lunch at 4 pm and dinner at 10….If I’m waiting until 10 pm to eat dinner, I will get sleepy, lose my appetite, and just not eat. So I think there is a somewhat logical reason for my insanity! (Or at least I like to think there is, because it makes me feel better!)
Hope you’re doing well Ameena. Thanks for making my day with your humour 🙂
Dinner at 10pm is just craziness because I am usually fast asleep by then! I’ll never understand how people can eat at such bizarre times.
I wish I were quirky like you! Then I’d probably eat a whole lot less.
It’s healthy to have routine! 🙂
The boy likes his carbs, what can you say?
You are lucky you can’t eat between meals. I’d weigh 10 pounds less if that was the case for me. My quirkiness stems from ‘watching’ my diet. If calories were no object, I’d be more like Ali. 🙂 Don’t hold it against me.
We are on the same wavelength today, lol! I just blogged about my “quirky” (read: neurotic) habits:) For the record, I totally agree with you about the no eating beforfe bedtime rule!
Lady, I totally hear you. Mixing food-cultures is TOO confusing for this girl’s constitution. From time to time I can do ti if it’s the perfect storm, but otherwise, no bueno.
I have NO idea of how people can eat and then go and do a workout. I would be dead on the side of the road.
You have a lot of rules! And why are men so fortunate as to be able to eat like that with no problem? Hmph.
I have tons and tons of weird food rules. I cannot eat sweet things for breakfast (pastries, muffins, yogurt) unless I pair it with something savory.
I cannot eat the same meal twice in a row. That makes me crazy!
Spinach has to be lightly steamed. I will not eat it raw unless something crunchy is mixed with it.
Ameena my friend, you are kind of quirky and this is why I love you! I am totally quirky if you only knew…..
germ freak over here 😉
I am kind of the same way with my meals, they are always at the same times. However I eat a ton in between them……..ugh
xxoo
Love it. I have only quirky habits too. Ryan, on the other hand…just kidding…I definitely have him beat in the weird food habits. I tend to eat quite a bit in the evenings, and I can never fall asleep without my favorite kashi crackers and a sliced apple. Always! Thank you for sharing, dear. I hope you have a wonderful Friday!
hehe you are you, and you know what your body loves! I don’t think you are odd, I have many of the same ways (sometimes I snack, rarely, but when I do it doesnt bother me) and I can eat different foods from different countries! I hope youve been having a great week and have a great weekend ahead of you!
xoxo!
Well, I kind of eat like your husband. And my “workouts” are about 20 mins too. I got to bed right after a big meal. And I LOVE mixing countries together. lol. Goodness, Ameena, we can never eat together.
But I still want to. Please let’s meet up sometime. 🙂
Quirky works. At least you’re disciplined. ::sigh::
Of course, I’m headed into the kitchen to start working on dessert for tonight (I hate crusts that require refrigeration). Being in the kitchen makes the possibility of eating much higher than otherwise.
Quirky,odd……all makes this wonderful world in which we live go round!
Your little girl is just too precious and you have a wonderful family! I bet there is never a dull moment with all the said idiosyncrasies!
That’s a big bite, Maya! 😉 I think funky eating habits are universal among husbands. Peter likes dinner about 5:30 or so, then snacks until bed. And he never gains an ounce. And, while he’s much better about getting his produce in, his meals are still mostly beige (how he’s able to do that when we eat nearly the same stuff at meals, I have no idea). Like you, I prefer to eat my meals at exactly the same time every day, and I start to get antsy when I don’t get fed on time. Also, I’d never mix fried rice and lasagna – blasphemy!!
Have a great weekend, Ameena!
I wish I had some of your habits – I agree with the 6:30 thing though absolutely. My husband and Ali sound like a pair. My husband doesn’t eat all day and then devours at night. I shudder to think what he eats when I’m out of town but I’m pretty sure it has the initial B and K in it. Have a lovely weekend!
oh yeah, everything on that list describes my eating habits except #2. i can’t eat after 7pm, otherwise, gramma can’t sleep. oh to be young again and eat McDonalds at 2am and pass out shortly after. good times.
I am all of the above except #3 and honestly I wish I could prevent myself from snacking! I can never understand the idea of mixing two cuisines and my husband is quite the opposite!
why yes, yes that *should* be your priority, gf! and for the record, your habits sound healthy more than quirky! and definitely *not* odd! 🙂
Down with snacking! Yeah, once I realized that stuff about “fueling your metabolism” by eating every three hours was crock, I never looked back…but Lord help me if it’s something really “interesting,” like a homemade cookie I get randomly offered. But I’d so much rather have 3 hearty meals that 3 meals and 2 snacks. Blech!
I don’t like eating right before bed either. And while I love fusion food, I dislike eating dishes from two drastically different countries. Like…mixing Thai and Vietnamese might very well go over my head. But Italian and Asian? Maybe a fusion item, but that’s it.
So I’d say you’re hardly odd 🙂
I am also “quirky” about #1,2,3, and 4. Always stick to those! I am really always trying to work on achieving #5 though. When I don’t eat late, I wake up feeling SO much better in the morning.
I have none of those habits. Unique indeed.
I’m curious now though exactly what time you eat your 3 meals? What time is your usual bedtime and wake up time?
I usually eat breakfast at 9 am, lunch at 1:30 pm, and dinner at 7 pm. I wake up at 5:30 and collapse at around 9:30. Writing this just reinforces the fact that my eating habits are even weirder than I first thought.
Ah, quirkyness. We all have it!
I actually can’t eat any later than 6:30, otherwise my (ahem) bedtime snack would be ruined 😉 But, I can NOT have food touch each other on a plate! I don’t know why, but I like my grains, protein and veggies seperated. So quirky huh?
the header looks cool.
I’m with ya on quirky habit #5. Even if I am incapacitated after eating a meal, I just can’t fall asleep. I think it has to do with the fact that my body is busy digesting the food and gets too worked up.
I guess I’m a mix of both of you. I have certain times of the days when I can and can’t eat. Yet I do like to mix my countries in terms of cuisine. 🙂 I definitely can’t eat 10 minutes before I go to sleep or I’ll be up for another couple hours.
Btw.. I like the new layout.
In my field of behavioral pediatrics, I keep telling parents: kids aren’t picky! They are really mirroring our contemporary eating practices. We’ve got more food than ever in America, and you are far from odd or quirky. Your “abnormal” eating practices aren’t so abnormal…because every one really is picky.
🙂 Now, if you said you couldn’t eat any “blue” foods or that you have to have an even amount of peas or corn kernals…that would be QUIRKY!
Who loves your fancy new header?! Me! Very pretty!
Some say quirky, I say unique 🙂
jen
I love that “I cannot mix countries”….I’m still giggling…I can mix countries, time zones, languages, you name it, if it will digest, I’m on it!
It’s the little quirks that make us who we are 🙂
Funny, if I don’t eat by 5pm, I’m ravenous and will devour anything in sight!
You are so funny…and quirky is a good think. I kind of agree about Ali though, at least the going to bed right after eating…I could never do that 🙂
The not eating between meals thing is the funniest one! I am so the opposite. It’s almost impossible for me to sit down and eat a regular meal. I am snack lady extraordinaire!