#munchieposting

He spent years on that god damn diet rejecting the most expensive and delicious foods from all over the world, things most people would only dream of tasting, in favor of converting every bland gram of protein into heard earned sweat For The Love Of The Game. He had perfected the dance of “No, thank you, I eat very intentionally” and “No, I can’t have that right now.” There was absolutely nothing he would not sacrifice for hockey, and his sustenance gave way quickly.

Even as a kid he remembers Yuna exhibiting minor instances of what would now be called ‘almond mom’ behaviors at peers birthday parties, reminding him to “fuel first” and managing his sugar intake rigorously. Never anything outright harmful or inappropriate, but enough to keep him focused on the transactional nature of eating.

Then once he’s retired and distanced from the intensity of the rink, there is not a single thing he won’t try- barring his newfound distaste for certain “goopy” textures. He still eats very healthy and regimented meals, enjoying the schedule and routine it provides him with, but they are much more varied now.

He loves to surprise Ilya by finding authentic Russian meals to learn for dinner, and takes Very specific notes about what he can do to make it better the next time. he asks David to teach him his recipes and he beams to finally be able to share the kitchen with his son, even if it does become slightly uncomfortable and they resort to Shane sitting at the island, observing and taste testing (as exciting as this is, shane gets his need for personal space from David and cooking does nothing to make him more comfortable being crowded).

paradise :3