Eugene Klopotenko

own cookbooks and author’s projects, expert of the culinary column "Breakfast with 1 + 1" Eugene Klopotenko.

Zhenya, I want to tell you the story of a girl who tries hard not to be sad. Her name is Angelina Chernyshova, she is from the city of Izyum, she is 18 years old, and from the age of 9 she has severe back pain. Now the condition of her spine is assessed by doctors as catastrophic. The girl has a hump. But Angelina promises to have an operation that will solve this problem once and for all. However, the metal structure that should support the girl’s back costs 112 thousand hryvnias. Angelina’s mother does not have such money, but she hopes to raise it with the help of the Fund. But in addition to money, Angelina, of course, really needs just friendly support. That is why we have created our column "Book of Support", and we turn to famous people in Ukraine who can share their experiences and give advice on how to overcome disagreements.

Eugene, you are an emotional and cheerful person. It seems that you can inspire optimism in any business and in any person, you do everything delicious, fun.
But in the life of every person there are difficulties, some obstacles - how do you overcome them? How to get optimistic to be always in shape?

Oh! (laughs) 80 percent of my life has some problems, rather dim and soft things. But what did I learn? We need to understand that life is divided into two parts: when you are happy and something pleasant happens, and when you are unhappy. Well, it happens: you laugh, you cry! What do I advise you to do? Understand that this is the case and do not create a problem with it. Do you know about the "Okay" rule? When you say to yourself: this is just a situation, but if I think about it and screw myself up, it will become a problem. But why? I have everything "Okay". And I’m smiling! For example, the day before yesterday I was driving, and I broke the glass of my phone, which is very expensive, and now I have to buy it. And then I got a call from the restaurant and was told that I had been fined and the summer terrace was closed. I realized that I was tired and did not get enough sleep. And in addition, he cut himself… Usually people start blaming someone for their troubles, they say: oh, oh, someone slandered me, everything is bad, even the virus, apparently, got caught. But I reacted to it this way: well, it happens! What of it?! ... everything will pass!) Never in life is cool and cool all the time.

Do you have a recipe for how to cheer yourself up?

Of course! You need to do things that bring you pleasure! I enjoy music. When something is wrong, I turn it on. I created a playlist of cool music for myself, and I don’t let bad thoughts get into my head. Then I realize that I love food. Everyone has what they love. I like my beets and my tomatoes. Here I look at the tomato - and he smiles at me. Maybe someone likes something else). Draw, repair cars… So, as soon as a bad mood comes - you should start your favorite business! If there is nothing to do, turn on YouTube, a video. For example, I love fishing - and watch videos on how to catch pike, and immediately forget about everything in the world, except that pike, or beetroot). Well, the mood rises by itself.

And is it possible to cook in a bad mood?

Oh no! We need to stop for a while and talk, for example, with vegetables. It may sound strange, but I ask: how are you, tomato? And he: everything is fine! And I: well, you also do not have a life of raspberries) so you grew up, and now I’ll eat you. Well, nothing, nothing, I love you, you’re delicious!)

Are there any products with endorphins?

I do not believe in endorphins, because for me any product is endorphins. Oysters, mussels, chocolate, nuts… It is believed that if people eat them, they become more positive. But in fact, when we eat sweets, we get in the mood. But I learned to eat bitter, sour - and it also lifts my spirits. These are the basic desires: to eat, to sleep, to look at neeebo - in fact, such simple things make us happy and cheerful.

Have you ever had any injuries as a child? To fall off a bicycle? ... Were you a picky patient?

From childhood I was taught to respect doctors, thank them and not be afraid of the hospital. Although fear sometimes appears. I used to have my adenoids removed, the anesthesia didn’t work, so I was tied to the bed with ropes - and the adenoids were just removed. I could neither breathe nor speak. And when it was all over, I got up, all in tears and blood, and said: " What !". I was scolded for not being able to talk at all, but I wanted to thank the doctors! To me, doctors are people who can hurt, but they help us, so I’m sure they don’t do it for good.

Eugene, each of us from time to time does something good for someone, although few consider themselves a "benefactor" because it is too responsible a word. And yet, in your opinion, why do we need to do good deeds?

It seems to me that there is a kind of balance of good and evil in the world. And everyone chooses whose side to take. But it seems to me that evil people become when they protect themselves from some trouble, from even greater evil… But even they can do something good and be benefactors, because there is light inside every person. Only someone has a lot of it, and someone - less, very little. But we humans are social beings, and we have to take care of each other. Therefore, charity is a way to realize your true light nature. And we all do good in the form that is most convenient for us.

Do you remember who did something good for you? Can you remember any selfless act that impressed you?

I remember as a child… I was eight years old, I went to England to my grandmother, and got lost there. I stayed at the bus stop, and the bus I was supposed to get on left without me. I was just green with fear, but a man approached me, spoke to me in a foreign language, and I calmed down for a moment. Meanwhile, the bus stopped, people ran out of it, they realized they had forgotten me. Everything settled down, I sat down and left.
And I still remember: I had my first car, a Zhiguli, and I often got stuck in it. At that time I was making jam. And the whole car was full of oranges and tangerines. There was frost and ice on the street, and I was stuck on a hill, in a traffic jam. The car began to roll down, on the car below. Five people ran out of them, started pushing my car, my wheel burst, but we pushed it to the side, although everyone was dirty. But I was very grateful to them, and it was a very warm and important moment of my life. In fact, there are many such cases, and I understand that when you help people, people help you. This is how this world works.

I wanted you to support Angelina and wish her recovery. She will be pleased to hear words of support from you.

I want to wish Angelina a speedy recovery and just know that life is sometimes unpleasant, but if you learn to live and smile, it will always be cool and cool, no matter what happens to you. Therefore it is necessary to smile in any situation! And I am sure, Angelina, that if you think positively, you will be healed, all the troubles will remain in the past and there will be only brighter and more pleasant things ahead. It can’t be otherwise! You have to believe in it with all your heart, and then everything will come true!

Thank you! And the last request: please advise what dishes and foods should be included in the diet to be in a good mood!

To be in a good mood, you need to have something forbidden in the fridge!) For example, a piece of chocolate, or a piece of saaala) or a piece of ice cream, or french fries, or a croissant… And it is necessary, well, maybe twice a week, open the fridge and eat what everyone forbids, what everyone says you don’t need to eat. But you need to eat a little - a hundred grams)), eat, close your eyes - and enjoy! And then the mood will be just divine, because what we are forbidden has the most positive effect on us!)

Help Angelina