Kitchen counter. Meet future.
Could this be the way that we interact with our food in the future? Considering the increasing popularity of intelligent computing surfaces this might not be that far from the truth. Perhaps the better question we might have to ask ourselves is "do we want this to the truth"?
On one hand, it represents some potentially revolutionary methods in which to engage with the food and cooking. The areas that we typically use to prepare our food could take a step further from their utilitarian role that we have come to know and it could be tied into the wealth of information present on the Internet. Imagine, place a pepper on your cutting board and in an instant your presented with vital knowledge on the quality of it, how to prepare and cook it - this could potentially save your life. Designed in an intelligent fashion this could also decrease the levels of appreciation that many consumers are faced with when tasked with cooking. This of all reasons I think might be the most important.
On the other hand, this technological interconnection between food and Internet could be evidence of a lacking connection between food and humans. There is a lot to be taken from the proverbial statement "be mindful of the past". Compared to our ancestors, there is shockingly large disconnect between people's understanding of the most basic elements of food. The knowledge of food, food production and preparation is scarce among many north Americans and it's a scary to think that there is such a dependence of technology in order to grasp something that keeps us alive. So what sort of future do we want between our food and our technology?
In the end, as time progresses, I think it's inevitable that food and technology will become interconnected - there is no denying that. In fact, rather than turning a blind eye to it I think we should embrace it and ensure that we use it to enable people to learn as much about food as possible. However, even as we face the future of food and technology with open arms, I still believe that something as simple as food and cooking should be taught to our younger generations hands on. They need to ensure that they learn about the diverse and bountiful world of food both online and off.
Book Review – The Omnivore’s Dilemma
Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.
These are the 3 overarching rules Michael Pollan uses to answer the simple question that every human (omnivore) on this planet faces: "what to make for dinner". Now, these 3 rules are seemingly self explanatory enough that the reader could them at face value and go on with their merry way, but at this novel quickly reveals, there is a much much complicated and in depth definition behind what these 3 steps are, which are vital in understanding the Omnivore's Dilemma. During his culinary adventures from farm to table Pollan leaves no stone unturned in providing the reader an understanding of North American's current relationship to food and how important it is that we revolutionize it. In fact, Pollan doesn't just turn over each stone in his analysis but he lets you see each face of of those stones as he goes.
I absolutely adored the level of detail that Pollan provides in his analysis of modern day food chain. It seems as though every time a question would start to formulate in mind or my natural tendency to devil's advocacy would begin to stir Pollan managed to provide a point of view to match it, answer it and weave it into his greater points all at once. His levle of detail is well thought out and very much necessary to tackle such a seemingly simple topic. From the sun, to the dirt and all way up to the plate and table that we consume it on Pollan covers each step in what it means to grow, harvest and consume food. At times it may seem a little drawn out or dry to go into such meticiculous detail on something as simple as a slice of bread, but it is that very reason that he is covering it and why we need to understand such a simple but essential part of our lives. We are far too detached these days from the health, the economy, the manufacturing, the workers and the farms that are all implicated in our chain of food.
Now, there are a variety of medical, environmental, financial and political matters that Pollan brings up in this novel that I could write entire pages on, but before I make this post even longer, the piece that struck a personal cord with me is the social relationship (or lack there of) that we as North Americans have to food. In this industrialized age of efficiency food no longer holds the same esteem it once did with our ancestors. The meal no longer represents a medium with which to share our heritage, our stories, our experiences and our community. Instead, it has been shuffled into the same lanes of efficiency, homogeney and mass production that so many of our other aspects of life have found themselves. Much like the cars we lock ourselves into day in and day out food is looked upon as a means of fuel for our bodies and less a thing to share and enjoy together. This is one of the biggest reasons I feel it is so necessary that we change this perception of food.
In my younger days of travel throughout Europe I was always amazed by the relationship Europeans had with food. It wasn't just the quality and variety of food that intrigued me, but it was the social relationship that Europeans have to it. Almost every meal was a affair unto itself to behold and rejoice in. I'm sure you could ask any North American and they would say something similar about the Europeans (or Asian nations) relation to food, and it's probably the reason they love to travel - to have an opportunity to dip into that experience and that shared culture over food. But why leave that experience behind in the varied countries of Europe? Why can't we build our own relationships to food - one that is more tighty knit with its production and consumption? This is the source for my personal love of this novel. Aside from the myriad of other reasons to read this novel, if you too have ever found yourself taken by another culture's relationship to food then you should this novel and find out too.
First Time Manifesto. Long Time Eater.
I recently had the pleasure to go on a week long vacation to the beautiful country of Mexico. Beside the mandatory sun bathing, swimming and boogie boarding I looked at this vacation as an opportunity to pick up a new book.The first author that popped into my head has been recommended to me several times: Michael Pollan. With my ever increasing interest in food, sustainability, cooking and food culture I was giddy at the thought of reading one of the foremost authors on these very subjects. The first book I chose to delve into was In Defense of Food.
This was my first venture into any Michael Pollan writing and it was definitely an experience to remember. Reading the back cover of the novel there was a quote from one literary critique that kept coming back to me throughout the entire novel; he referred to Pollan as "biting". I don't think that could ring any more true in the sense of the word. Pollan has a sharp, bold faced approach to his writing that could easily be described as "biting" or even a little arrogant. At first this was a little off putting as it came off a little bit preachy. The picture he painted about North America's horrendous state of health almost gave me a sense of hopelessness. But as I read on in the novel I found it was rare that his aggressive stance was ever unfounded. In fact, I had to remind myself that this stance is rightfully necessary considering how dire this situation in North America can be. Above all else, I found Pollan to be a brilliant, succinct author who makes a stand and backs it with well researched and thought out arguments.
Another thought that comes to mind is that perhaps this isn't specific to Pollan's writing style, but rather the kind of determination that is needed and expressed when writing a manifesto (I've never read one prior to this). Pollan isn't just presenting some random diet fad or a check list of how to eat, he's doing something much better. Rather than show us 'what' to do Pollan is giving us a set of 'tools' and 'guidelines' with which to live by. He's outlining how we as North Americans are currently relate to food with little to show for it health wise. Then he contrasts it against other cultures in the world and how we "used to" eat. It's eye opening.
Food is a very integral part of our life and even prior to reading this book I could agree with Pollan that North American society has taken this relationship triangle between humans, food and the land for granted. It's seems appropriate that I read this novel on a vacation because almost every trip I've taken outside North America I've admired how other cultures put a much greater emphasis on food and how its shared in their respective cultures.
I continue to find a beauty and joy in the links that exist between humans, food and the land so I can't wait to pick up more novels by mister Pollan. Next up: The Omnivore's Dilemma.
The Great Triad: food, photography and infographics
I know there's a turn of phrase that states "things always come in threes" - but do great things always come in threes?
We often associate food poisoning to the big contenders in our food world like poultry, pork or beef but there are lesser known culprits who have struck thousands of people ill. GOOD magazine has posted yet another amazing infographic focusing on this issue. In contrast to the typical infographic which uses digital illustration solely, this piece combines a nice dose of photography to make it really pop (visually and conceptually). I love how the illustration and photography both visualize the progressive increase in cases of poisoning.
Me? In a magazine?
You read that right - I was recently featured in Granville Magazine.
Though the title may come off a little cheesy the article focuses on an emerging trend among young urbanites: personal gardening. Journalist Vanessa Richmond came to me through a mutual friend of ours who knew I was starting a little herb garden on my window sill. I never thought my novice attempt at developing a green thumb was part of anything greater; turns out I couldn't be anymore wrong. After a short discussion with Vanessa I discovered there is an alarming large increase in the number of urban dwelling young adults who are starting their own gardens. Anything from a small window sill garden to a full fledged in ground vegetable patch.
In retrospect, this makes a lot of sense. With hot topics like environmentalism, urban density, food manufacturing and sustainability its no wonder people are using gardens as a means of taking control of what their own environment. With feature films like Food Inc. coming out shortly its no wonder people are afraid of what their putting into their bodies. Personally, I'm quite concerned with the quality of the food on shelves these days but the biggest point of my herb garden was to be more financially responsible. I love cooking, especially with fresh herbs, but I found that my herb purchases would go greatly under used. I would purchase a bunch of one type of herb and use only a fraction of it - the rest would go to waste within a day or two. I thought, there had to be a better way to work with herbs. So I started a garden and I'm loving it.