The Knowledge of Living and the Art of the Senses

Like most everyone else, there are some charities, organizations... causes, if you will... that I am passionate about. Libraries, for instance, because the written word is becoming blase as we try to cram as much as we can into the 17 or 18 hours of waking time that we have every day. Instead, we listen to books, rather than read them. That means, if there is a word we don't understand, we're probably not in a place that would allow us to stop and look it up, learn something new... what a concept! It makes me think that, eventually, books will become like radios and TVs, just background noise. And, I find that sad. Go to this website to see a damning statistic about the average reading level of adults in the U.S. 

Another thing I feel strongly about is cooking. It is my creative outlet. When I create a brand new recipe, I'm queen of the world! I love everything about cooking... the prep, the selection of spices and herbs, the aromas. Something bubbling on a stove, simmering on a grill or baking in the oven is pure magic... all those ingredients, brought together by heat to create art that fuels the body, satisfies cravings, feeds all the senses. You feel the texture of  the foods on your hands... crisp vegetable, fleshy meat, gritty spices. You see the colors of the various ingredients forming an abstract image... red and green peppers with white mushrooms and golden onions against brown meats. The aromas tempt your taste buds and, without even realizing it, your digestive system is already starting to work. You can hear the sizzle and the bubble. And, finally, the supreme climax of tasting the end result. 

There are lots of reasons that cooking at home is beneficial, not the least of which is our health. There's some damning evidence about the state of our diets. We see it everywhere. There's no denying the obesity epidemic. Even more alarming, life expectancy is going down, despite medical advances and technology. Diabetes is one of the main reasons. Yet, experts all agree that by cooking at home, we are able to control our intake of sugar and salt, our portions, avoid preservatives and additives, while preserving and adding to our heritage, our health, our creativity... our legacy. 

And, just to make sure you were paying attention, there's a link between our decline in education and rise in obesity. Do your research. Be smart. Take control.

And, in answer of the prevailing question... yes, I read cookbooks! Call it quirky, but it's where I get my inspiration. One I highly recommend is LooneySpoons. It's chock full of nutritious recipes, helpful hints, cooking tips and amusing anecdotes and cartoons. 

So, in the words of Bill Haley and His Comets... get out in the kitchen and rattle those pots and pans!! http://youtu.be/7CXFXB4uknI