Sometimes things are not always what they seem. Take for example cutting vegetables. Some methods of cooking and food preparation are taken to the level of "spiritual experience"----almost like a religious ritual for some. And by some ways of thinking it is true----but perhaps no more than should be accorded any aspect of our lives.
Sometimes the things that are "attached" to the way foods are prepared would lead one to believe that if one did not adhere to these rituals, the foods would turn into poison, or cause mutations in our offspring. While some foods might be "poison" and can have things in them that might cause mutations, that is not what we are discussing here. Everyone knows that if life were only possible if you ate what the Surgeon General says to eat, there would not be a child anywhere that would grow into an adult. It is clear to me that children are somewhat "epiphytic," in that they are able to turn even the most absurd things they put in their mouths into flesh and bones----to the point of having to conclude that nourishment must be coming from thin air.
I love to cook.
I am the cook in our house----although now my sweetie is no longer in danger of starving to death when I go away for a few days. Her days of popcorn and canned tuna are long gone.
I have given a lot of thought to how some of these rituals around cooking may have come to be. Rituals usually have a kernel of truth about them----they are usually the result of some "actual" need at some earlier point in time. That need might have been something practical like cutting the carrots in various shapes to solve the problem of the pieces rolling off the cutting board and onto the floor. It also might have been shear boredom that resulted in creating decorative patterns and elaborate presentations. Creative chefs do the same thing---but this is not ritualistic----it is "alive."
There are dangers inherent in "over-ritualization" in our lives. When things don't "look" a certain way (the way we are perhaps used to them looking) we can exhibit symptoms of stress---and dis-ease. What is supposed to lead to nourishment starts to tear us apart.
Sometimes if we can demystify the things we have ritualized in our lives, we can actually have an opening to move in a different direction----to make our lives "alive" again.
The current economic crisis has, built within it, some ritualized components that will also need to be abandoned or dissembled and re-assembled in new forms before the pendulum swings the other way. Familiar ways of doing things will need to be scrutinized as to what exists because of "habit" or "religious fervor," and what is actually productive.
Currently the carrots are rolling onto the floor---
---we better figure out a different way to cut them.
Charles Buell
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Charles - I hope that as the pendulum swings is knocks over a few people. I haven't much hope -- they are all still in office... I don't count on them getting knocked over, but will be watching!
I don't cook on my pad.
My meals kind of wander by.
It's all very, very fresh.
Kind regards, Croakster
I was half watching the inauguration yesterday. What struck me in Obama's speech was where he made reference to the greed of a few that have caused the troubles of many (I'm paraphrasing). Isn't this always what seems to occur time and time again. The actions of a few affect the many.
Especially when it's public policy...
Jay, I think we will all be watching.
Croakster---it looks like a few too many things have been wandering by later.
James, wouldn't it be cool if Obama could facilitate a change from that old pattern?
Jay, we are all in the same boat together aren't we.
Charlie,
If you want ritual, they got it here in Oaxaca. Some of their moles....not the things in the ground but sauces...have up to 25 subtle ingredients. Wish Nutsy had been able to get down here to try them
I think it would be cool if Nutsy could be the 26th ingredient:)
I'm all for that! Squirrel flavored real Mexican salsa. Ole'!
James, I am drooling all over my keyboard!!!!
When I began reading this post, I had know idea that it would end up with the economy. And you're right, we better start cutting our carrots differently...like now!
Jim, sometimes I just never know where my mind is going to end up:)
If a carrot rolled on my kitchen floor my dog would eat it. She likes broccoli stems too.
A common occurrence with dogs---not so much with cats though---they would just bat it under the refrigerator:)
Love to cook! Ugh! I hate to cook but have had to do so for so many years. NOW, my husband is watching cooking shows on TV! He seems to like to cook. So careful, Charles, I think this may be an old-age-Martha-Stewart syndrome that is catching for the male population. Females are all immune.
I love to cook when I am in the mood. I try and prepare foods ahead of time to make it simple when I have had a long day. I am concerned that I am harming my family when I shop if I am not up on the latest recall on foods. This is part of the reason I am a vegatarian and have only been for a little over a year now. I do not miss it and I fell better than ever-Dinah Lee
Barbara, good for him---perhaps he will take over your kitchen:)
Dinah, I have been through many dietary incarnations but have avoided all red meat since 1971. I think it depends on the person---some people do better eating meat and are healthier than if they try to be vegetarian.
Although, Nutsy, would make a welcome addition to some tables, I would find it difficult to eat something that closely related to a Rat. Don't care for rabbit either.
Jack, that sounds like a "left-handed insult" to poor Nutsy:) Grilled with enough condiments/sauces the grossness completely disappears!
Neither my dogs nor cats eat carrots - just more work for me!
Kathleen, I will bet that fish or steak rolling on the floor would be a different story:)