You laid out all the reason and more of why I am making an effort to cook and eat more real food. And for the record, you did not sound preachy at all!
Utterly agree! Both of my daughters love to cook as I do and I believe it is because of all of the delicious, healthy taste and JOY that came from our kitchen.
Cooking is not only enjoyable, it’s therapeutic! Add some great music, a glass of wine and l’ll spend hours in the kitchen. Not to mention the joy of eating a home-cooked meal that tastes great.
“We have arrived at a point in history where industrially made foodstuffs have taken over our need and ability to prepare food for ourselves.” - FOODSTUFFS!? The best play on words for ultra processed ‘food’.
This was a great article. Thanks for quoting my favorite chef, as she reposted so I got to read!
Cooking can also be fun. It satisfies my innate editor/proofreader tendencies. Stripping broccoli florets from the stem and discarding the brown ones. Peeling and chopping potatoes and discarding the sprouty parts. It keeps the hands and fingers and senses occupied and exercised away from the damn computer.
I’ve been on this path for a while now. The food industries have people fooled with all these health labels like “100% wheat, natural flavors, cage free, low sugar, low fat” and even organic in some cases.
How do producers have to pay a higher fee to prove what they’re growing and selling is without pesticides so they can earn that green and white USDA Organic label, but everyone else just has to pass a basic half-ass inspection?
Sounds bassakwards to me.
Processed foods are crap, no doubt. And maybe every once in a while I eat some chips or indulge in a frozen pizza 🤷🏻♂️😂
I’ve definitely started cooking a lot more at home, which I actually love doing.
But another thing to think about is all the garbage that’s fed to animals that we then consume. Or the weed killers sprayed on fruits and vegetables that are deemed “safe for human consumption” by our “trusting” government 🙄
It’s helped moving to a plant-based/vegan lifestyle. I cook more because I have more choices than in restaurants. Plus I love cookbooks! I’m on board with you and Michelle. Just have to figure out how to make it so.
About 50 years ago, yes, that’s a five and a zero, I managed to find a chef in the Auvergne who would take me on as an apprentice. My total experience had been pot washing in a fondue restaurant in San Francisco and peeling potatoes in Montmartre. You see, I was, and am, an American. At the time, utterly laughable that I presumed to cook. But I had memorized Raymond Oliver’s Ma Cuisine. And most of La Répertoire.
Let’s just say it’s the best thing I ever did. Se qui osent gagne. Learn to cook.
Cooking is also a form of creative expression. I’m always amazed when I throw random ingredients into a pot, then taste it after a couple hours and it tastes so dang good. Far better than journaling IMO (pls don’t come get me journaling folks)
Thank you for sharing. This article reminds me of the relationships we have with ourselves when we have more convenient opportunities to choose otherwise. It is hard not to be tempted and to relearn how to live. The community and global impact of individuals not taking responsibility and accountability of what they are capable of doing has a cost for the world. If people cooked, these processed foods would not be the main option that people are left with. It’s sad to see how convenience has given permission for individuals to do away with once necessary responsibilities.
This is great. I knew we shared a brain on this topic. I'm honored to have inspired it in the littlest of ways. Keep killing it!
You laid out all the reason and more of why I am making an effort to cook and eat more real food. And for the record, you did not sound preachy at all!
Thanks Preston!
There is no greater joy than watching family and friends enjoy the food you made just for them.
Utterly agree! Both of my daughters love to cook as I do and I believe it is because of all of the delicious, healthy taste and JOY that came from our kitchen.
Cooking is not only enjoyable, it’s therapeutic! Add some great music, a glass of wine and l’ll spend hours in the kitchen. Not to mention the joy of eating a home-cooked meal that tastes great.
Bon appétit 🍷
Ah me too. I do it almost nightly.
“We have arrived at a point in history where industrially made foodstuffs have taken over our need and ability to prepare food for ourselves.” - FOODSTUFFS!? The best play on words for ultra processed ‘food’.
This was a great article. Thanks for quoting my favorite chef, as she reposted so I got to read!
Pleased you enjoyed it Nicki
You make me want to throw a dinner party and invite a bunch of friends over for a good sobremesa 👍.
DO IT! :-)
It is so. much. fun.
Cooking can also be fun. It satisfies my innate editor/proofreader tendencies. Stripping broccoli florets from the stem and discarding the brown ones. Peeling and chopping potatoes and discarding the sprouty parts. It keeps the hands and fingers and senses occupied and exercised away from the damn computer.
Damn straight about keeping away from the computer
I’ve been on this path for a while now. The food industries have people fooled with all these health labels like “100% wheat, natural flavors, cage free, low sugar, low fat” and even organic in some cases.
How do producers have to pay a higher fee to prove what they’re growing and selling is without pesticides so they can earn that green and white USDA Organic label, but everyone else just has to pass a basic half-ass inspection?
Sounds bassakwards to me.
Processed foods are crap, no doubt. And maybe every once in a while I eat some chips or indulge in a frozen pizza 🤷🏻♂️😂
I’ve definitely started cooking a lot more at home, which I actually love doing.
But another thing to think about is all the garbage that’s fed to animals that we then consume. Or the weed killers sprayed on fruits and vegetables that are deemed “safe for human consumption” by our “trusting” government 🙄
It’s helped moving to a plant-based/vegan lifestyle. I cook more because I have more choices than in restaurants. Plus I love cookbooks! I’m on board with you and Michelle. Just have to figure out how to make it so.
I love cookbooks too. And plant based food!
My fav books are cookbooks! I've learned to try cookbooks first via the library, then I buy if I love it.
Here for the rebelling!!! 🍴 Love this so much. It becomes empowering to think of cooking this way. Less chore, more boldness.
Yes, nothing like making your own food and knowing exactly what goes into it. It’s life!
It is indeed!
About 50 years ago, yes, that’s a five and a zero, I managed to find a chef in the Auvergne who would take me on as an apprentice. My total experience had been pot washing in a fondue restaurant in San Francisco and peeling potatoes in Montmartre. You see, I was, and am, an American. At the time, utterly laughable that I presumed to cook. But I had memorized Raymond Oliver’s Ma Cuisine. And most of La Répertoire.
Let’s just say it’s the best thing I ever did. Se qui osent gagne. Learn to cook.
Cooking is also a form of creative expression. I’m always amazed when I throw random ingredients into a pot, then taste it after a couple hours and it tastes so dang good. Far better than journaling IMO (pls don’t come get me journaling folks)
Agreed, it's such an amazing creative outlet
Thank you for sharing. This article reminds me of the relationships we have with ourselves when we have more convenient opportunities to choose otherwise. It is hard not to be tempted and to relearn how to live. The community and global impact of individuals not taking responsibility and accountability of what they are capable of doing has a cost for the world. If people cooked, these processed foods would not be the main option that people are left with. It’s sad to see how convenience has given permission for individuals to do away with once necessary responsibilities.
“I won’t stop eating Cheetos or drinking Coke.”
Try eating/drinking these while reading Chris van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People 😉
Ha yeah I'm reading it. It's fascinating stuff
I love cooking and eating so much. And I love Doritos, but mostly I cook every night.