What’s with the title?

For as long as I can remember, my parents always called me “Noodles,” as an endearing nickname. Yes, it is quite appropriate given the fact that I grew up to be such a foodie, but little did they know that at the time. Perhaps it’s because I was considerably tall for my age when I was adorned this nickname, although I don’t know what happened to those days as my 11-year old cousin stands just under my chin now, and my dad referred to me as having “noodley” legs. Or perhaps it was because my favorite food to eat as a child was in fact noodles of any kind, and without question remains on my top 10 favorite food list. (But, realistically, what kid, or human being for that matter, does not like pasta?) Maybe it was a combination of the two that so inclined my parents to rename their daughter after an Italian delicacy. 

All throughout my childhood and adolescence, and even still today, I was and am known as Noodles, not Amanda (as that is my formal name on my birth certificate), not Mandy, but Noodles. Noodles has become such the norm that it feels strange for my parents to address me as Mandy. Birthday cards, Easter cards, Christmas cards, Halloween cards, you name it, are written to Noodles.  Likewise, all cards or letters that I give to my mom or dad are from Noodles, of course. Mandy? Who is Mandy anyway? 

But, must I remind you, Noodles was a name so adorably given to me by my parents; so no, my brother does not call me Noodles… that would just be rather strange. All my relatives are aware of my humorous alias, but they choose to address me by my common name, Mandy. Every so often, my nickname will leak out beyond my family comfort zone to my friends or co-workers or teammates and become quite the center of entertainment for a while. I admit, it is somewhat embarrassing, but I get used to it. 

So, now you know where the “Noodles” part in my blog title comes from, but ever so kindly I do not give you permission to call me Noodles (unless you are my mom or dad). I prefer Mandy, thank you. And now for the “Knows” portion of my blog name: besides the catchy alliterative tone, it’s kind of my way of saying, in the most non-arrogant way possible, “I know a lot about food and I urge you to trust my judgement or respect my opinions.” If it makes more sense to you, simply replace my name Noodles, with Mandy, and you get “Mandy Knows.” So I’ll allow you to discern for yourself whether I really do know what I am talking about when it comes to food.