Think About It

Interesting article, Kevin, and thanks for the link to the photo essay. What I was most amazed was seeing that even in other countries, there's a lot of "bad" food that's being consumed worldwide. (To me, "bad" would be highly processed, with too much fat, sugar, etc.)

Food, to me, is a highly sensuous experience. That's why I'd rather eat something really "seriously" good and enjoy the experience of eating rather than to just fill my stomach with fast food or something that is supposedly "convenient." Because eating is a sensuous thing for me, I really have to watch my portion control. Food is my drug of choice.

I'm also highly suspicious of prepackaged food, and tend to buy more products that are raw, or grow them myself. I'd rather squeeze out fresh lemonade than rely on what's in a bottle or can.

This is a very interesting topic, and your essay will likely cause some people to think carefully.

Joanne,
I hope it will cause a few people to think.

Kevin, excellent presentation of a hot topic. I grew up in a tradition that stressed giving thought to the food (Kosher approach to food). We not only had to pause before eating to think about the sources of our food, but we were also "commanded" to be sure our animals were fed before we ate. Priorities. Although I have abandoned much of that tradition it certainly put on a path to thoughtfulness with regard to food, dining and the preparation.

Donna,
Thanks, I had some other things I wanted to say in this piece, but ran out of room when the Time photo-essay and the NYT articles appeared. I felt I had to include them.

Kevin, I wholeheartedly agree with the treatment you are giving to the subject of cooking. Although we all cook, many of us just cook for family and friends to enjoy and receive good nourishment. You have included many facets in your field which are challenging to many but demonstrate your determination to start a new wave.
This article as read in Spot-On is a wonderful breath of fresh air to cookery.
May I ask where did your TAG PAISANO emulate from?? pj

Nice Kevin, and the link to the photos is a good thing for those of us who are visual. Here's some of what I was struck by in various images: the seemingly unused kitchens, the quantity of bottled drinks (the Mexican family is striking for the mass fresh vegetables and a lineup of soda), photos where the only bright red/green is from packaging not produce, and the utter lack of things I'd eat in the US photos. I grew up in loCal (southern california) and I KNOW there is produce there, but not in the picture!

Also, almost no bread. The Italian family has some, there is a little in Mongolia, and there are baguettes in Beijing. But where is the bread? Even accounting for local types of bread, like tortillas and pitas, I see only one kind in several photos (and none in some). WTF?

Paul,
Thanks for the kind words. As for "Paisano," I have a deep affection for simple food whether it's a grilled cheese sandwich or fondue (which began as something the herders ate while minding their cows in the Swiss alps) or gazpacho. These all have intense flavors, simple ingredients (at least in their area of origin), and are relatively easy to prepare. More than that, they're what families eat at home.

KM,
I hadn't even noticed the lack of bread. Boy, that's embarassing.

kM, Look again. The Mexican family has some rolls in the photo and the family from Kuwait has bread too. The Polish family has bread. Look around. It isn't always obvious but it's in many of the photos. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of a lavosh or flatbread peeking out from under a cloth.

Wow Kevin, I went to Spot On and liked it so much that I subscribed to it. Really enjoy your articles and the photo links.
It was so sobering when I saw what the family in Chad had to eat for the week.
We need to rethink food in this country which, I think you're doing.
Thank you.

Judith,
Thanks so much. And yeah some of those menus were extraordinarily sparse from our point of view. But I would assert few of us have thought at all about food, much less are in a position to rethink about it.

And you may have just sown the seed for another article. So thanks again.

MDC, maybe I just live in a house where you have to move the bread to see a scrap of something else...?

A friend sent me an e-mail with the link to "What the World Eats" from the book by Peter Menzel. What immediately struck me and I commented to her and when I shared it with the rest of a foodie group of which I'm a member was the contrast between the amount of processed foods that the American, Brits, Germans and Japan and the rest of the countries shown on the video.

I'm sure not all Americans eat like the two families represented....but if the majority does, no wonder we are in trouble....

Sonia,
Exactly my point.

What troubles me is the new chefs on TV using so much prepackaged ingredients that are highly processed and recipes laddened with butter, fat and sugar promoting such a life style.

So what is the value of cooking while introducing the same nutritionally low foods as home cooked meals?

Kevin, it's all about balance. If we eat a minimal amount of packaged food and try to incorporate fruits, vegetables and more natural foods, we're off to a good start. I always look at the food I buy when I have it all layed out on the conveyor belt at the supermarket. It can be a real eye opener. It's even harder with kids when they are constantly blasted with the advertisements but you have to start teaching them when they are young about eating healthy and taking responsibility for what they put in their mouth. You should always enjoy good food, but be smart about it.

Laurie,
Absolutely.