Since the beginning of human existence, life has revolved around food. The pleasure of seeking, harvesting, preparing, and sharing food is a core part of cultures around the world. It's something we all have in common and it reminds us that we are a part of a larger system. We depend on the seasons, water, healthy soil, bugs, worms and on each other!
Today, it is easy to forget our connection to water, soil, and seasons because we can hop into any grocery store to buy food strangers have grown (and often prepared) on the other side of the planet. Alice Waters outlines the relatively recent fast-food values and assumptions (illusions) that permeate our homes, schools, and institutions:
1) Food is cheap and abundant, and this abundance is permanent.
2) Resources are infinite, so it's perfectly okay to waste.
3) Eating is primarily about fueling up in as little time as possible.
4) Meat, fries, and sodas are actually good for us - and they should taste exactly the same everywhere.
5) Where food comes from, or how fresh it is, doesn't matter.
6) Advertising confers value.
7) Preparation is to be avoided at all costs.
She goes on to remind us of the slow food values that have acted as central expressions of life and community for thousands of years of human existence. Food can teach us the things that really matter - care, beauty, concentration, discernment, and sensuality - but only if we take the time to think about what we're eating.
I've recently joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box program and share the box with my friends Ryan, David, and Michelle. On Sunday, we had our first "family dinner" in which we made a meal together from the veggies in our box. What a great way for food to bring people together! Let me tell you our story..
The story begins with our farmers at Inner City Farms.
This small group of friends decided to convert lawns throughout Vancouver into small-scale organic farms.
Every week, they get together, harvest their veggies, and put them into boxes for their customers (how's that for local and fun!)
We were thrilled with the veggies in our box this week and set to work preparing our dinner. Michelle got started with the cauliflower and made her mom's recipe with yummy cheese sauce while Ryan boiled the rice, and David and I chopped up the onions, beets, greens, zuccini, garlic, carrots, and tofu.
Check out these beautiful beets! That's no lemon...it's a Touchstone Gold Beet!!
I was so mesmerized by the beauty of the food itself that at one point Michelle said "Karen, I feel like you're high right now. You're acting like the double rainbow guy." Hmm..I wasn't high though..I was simply enjoying the delight of preparing beautifully good food. I was captured by the visual stimulation of chopping the bright and colourful beets and I was expressing it!
When the delights of prepping and cooking the food were over, it was time to serve up and tantalize our taste buds. Buon Appetito Dave!!
There are so many opportunities for pleasure in our daily lives, if only we take the time to notice and appreciate (especially at meal time!).
Although I'm unable to share the taste of our yummy meal with you, I'm able to share the visual.
Feast your eyes folks!!
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