Have you ever heard of the Slow Food movement?  It’s not just encouraging people to slow down and enjoy their food, although that is a big part of it.  But what it’s really about is producing good, safe, food that doesn’t harm the environment.  They also promote fair treatment for those who work to produce the food, such as good working conditions and better pay.

I used to be a member a few years ago, but I let it lapse because I never heard back from the local convivium.  I think it was in the process of changing hands at the time, which is why no one ever called or emailed me.  I should try contacting them now, as I’d like to consider joining again.  But only if they actually have activities in the area that I could attend.

They do have a lot going on nationwide, though…I was just looking at the Slow Food newsletter for this month.  Nothing around here, but I should check back every month just in case.

The fact is, the way that “fast food” is produced is bad for our environment.  I remember, years ago, going to an exhibit at the Natural History museum at the Smithsonian, down in D.C.  It was about the South American rain forests and how the fast food  burger joints industry was destroying them.  At its worst point, they were destroying, EVERY DAY, an amount of rain forest land the size of Pennsylvania.   Basically, they were ripping up the rain forests, letting the cattle graze on the land, and then abandoning it when it was fully spent.

I know that they are working to be more environmentally friendly now.  But still, fast food is bad for our society in other ways.  It’s not healthy to go to the drive-though every day, buy this greasy stuff, and shove it down your throat while you’re driving.  People need to slow down, and take the time to think more about what they eat, and then sit and enjoy it.

In countries like France, workers get something like two hour lunch breaks.  The French take their food very seriously, and they consider it important to be able to take the time to kick back, relax, and enjoy a nice meal.  Yeah, I know that they have McDonald’s and Burger king over there…but I bet most of their customers are American tourists.

If I were an American tourist in Europe, no way would I eat at an American fast food place.  Hell, I don’t even eat at such places here.  For me, a big part of traveling is eating the same food that the locals eat, stuff that is locally grown and prepared.

Slow food is also healthier.  We’ve all heard about the childhood obesity epidemic.  I was watchng the Dr. Phil show yesterday, and that was the topic.  There was this one woman who had two boys, aged 9 and 11.  All three of them were obese.  The boys had their cholesterol checked, and it was at the level of a 45 year old man’s!  Yikes!  Also, of course they were being made fun of in school for being so fat.

But it was all the mother’s fault.  She never took the time to cook anything for the family.  Every day, it was fast food burgers, pizza delivery, Taco Bell, etc.  Never any fresh fruits or veggies, or anything prepared at home.

When you prepare food at home, you have complete control over what goes into it.  You can make your own pizza and use less cheese and stuff on it.  You can cook burgers on a George Foreman grill, which drains off the fat.  You can cook with olive or canola oil instead of butter.  And so on.

Those two boys are also old enough to start learning to cook, and to help their mom with food preparation.  Rather than seeing food as something you shove in your mouth when you’re hungry, they could make meal prep a nice family affair, good quality time together.  The boys’ self-esteem will rise when they do something that they can be proud of, such as learning to cook healthy meals.

Also, when you take the time to sit and relax over a good meal, you tend to eat less.  If this family, and millions of others with serious obesity issues, would adopt the Slow Food philosophy, it would benefit them in so many ways.  They’d lose weight, be healthier, and do good for the planet.

Now, I’m not saying that no one should eat fast food and get pizza delivery.  Although I no longer eat at places like McDonald’s or Burger king, I’m not immune to the occasional pizza delivery.  Sometimes I don’t feel like cooking, and sometimes I just have a hankering for a Papa John’s pizza.  However, the bulk of what we eat is stuff that I shop for and cook myself, at home.  And although we do eat at chain restaurants like TGI Friday’s sometimes, our real favorite places are those that try to use as much locally-produced food as possible.  When it’s locally produced, it doesn’t travel far , so it’s fresher and tastes better.  Also, we’re helping to support the local economy by supporting these local farmers and fishermen and all.

Slow Food is good for everyone.  Why not check out the newsletter I linked to above. and click on some of the links therein?  Even if you don’t want to spend the money to join the organization, you can get a lot of info from the newsletter, website, and blog.  Challenge yourself to prepare at least one Slow Food inspired meal a week, and let your family be a part of the planning and preparation.  I think you’ll be glad you did!