BeanDiet

"The more time a nation devotes to food preparation in the home, the lower its rate of obesity. In fact, the amount of time spent cooking predicts obesity rates more reliably than female participation in the work force or income." (italics mine) -- Michael Pollan, The New York Times Magazine, Aug. 2, 2009.

If any of you had the chance to peruse this article by Michael Pollan, you would find it ironic how today Americans spend more time than ever watching cooking shows on T.V., yet spend less time than ever actually cooking (average time is 27 minutes in a day, less than half of what it was in the 1960's). Even though I don't have cable T.V., I am aware that not only do we have an entire channel devoted to cooking shows, but now "reality" cooking shows as well. In fact, we now have a Hollywood movie about a cooking personality (inspired by Julia Childs).

I was raised in what is now called a "second-wave" feminist household. My mother, influenced by Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, believed that cooking was somewhat beneath her - not to mention a pain in the keister. Although she also realized cooking was downright necessary if she wanted the family to eat healthfully and not blow wads of money. Because she worked, she shared this "chore" with my father 50%/50%, which worked pretty well. It also helped that my parents strongly disliked the taste of fast food.

I find that I often have the same feelings as my mother about cooking: it's time-consuming (factor in the meal-planning, grocery shopping and clean-up), and somewhat mindless. I mean, I have a Master's degree from a prestigious East Coast university - shouldn't I be using all that knowledge to earn more money and climb ladders?

Here's where my mom and I differ. I've learned that my attitude toward cooking - and all the work that entails - is ultimately a choice. I don't like being so busy that I can't think. Cooking doesn't have to be a chore, but rather an art that allows me to relax and focus on what's in my hands. And of course, having a background in nutrition is a strong reinforcement as to what happens when we don't cook. I don't judge my mother, as I am influenced by the foodie trends as much as she was by the currents of her time.

Cooking shouldn't be a spectator sport. Neither should it be a chore. We simply cannot live without healthy food, and apparently, there's no getting around it. So let's embrace the kitchen as a creative - and quite necessary - part of our home and life.