I spend a lot of time noding about food. between public domain
cookbooks, my
original recipes and tidbits on food
history I think that a full 20% of my node-space somehow revolves around food. Unfortunately in this day and age food has been losing it's place in our
society. The majority of food sold today is "quick and easy" be it
fast food from
McDonald's or "one step" dinners from the local
supermarket.
This is truly a sad state, but it's an accurate one. Throughout
human history the food of a culture has reflected the nature of the culture. Today's age is one that is fast-paced and impersonal it is reflected in our food, and
vice-versa.
There are many people out there that view food more as a
necessity than anything else, meals become an unwelcome
interruption in the daily flow of their lives.
I'd like to stop this
trend, starting with e2. And with the
sufficient number of people I see noding recipes, food facts and
nutritional information I feel that there's a good body of people here who would agree with me.
There are many ways one can renew our
relationship with our food, and in doing so renew our relationships with the
people around us. It all starts though with cooking good food, at home, and sharing it with those
important to you. the sharing of food has, throughout the ages, been a
symbol of friendship and goodwill. It's an easy and fairly
inexpensive way to let your friends and family know how much they mean to you. And it doesn't take much more effort to cook for three or four than it does for just one or two.
Learn about the recipes you use. Most dishes have a history behind them, and even if you've added your own special touches it's nice to know the roots of your creation. Was this recipe invented by a cook for the Roman infantry who needed a quick way to feed a hundred troops, or was this dish created by Russian peasants as a way to take advantage of leftover bread, or to extend the limited supplies of meat? These little tidbits help us appreciate the food better, give us a connection to our ancestors and serve as a way to stir conversation at meal time.
Don't eat in silence. Encourage comments during meal time, both about the food and about the person enjoying it. You will probably find that most people prefer eating a good home-cooked meal than going out to a restaurant, the added bonus being that you've got the whole place to yourself. The conversation will also force you to slow down and enjoy the food a bit more. If you eat in silence you might as well be eating alone, and that's never any fun.
Most importantly, Learn To Cook. In the age of microwaves, take out and "meals in a bag" this is often overlooked. Knowing how to cook isn't merely a novelty, it's a survival tool as well. Also people appreciate meals which take a little effort, they also usually taste better. Anyone can cook, the basics are easy. If you "can't cook" then stick to the recipe, if you can, then invent your own and expand your knowledge. By cooking your own food you'll appreciate it more. Learn the recipes that your grandmother used to cook, in this way you can connect to your own roots.
I hope that you will take the time to think of the part food plays in your life. Food is something that should be
celebrated. It enriches our life. It should be shared with those around us. Think about your childhood and the dishes you had growing up (or even the dishes you would have liked to have had).
Think about what you eat and what it says about you.