Slow Food

Thai KraPow Basil and Seitan

Have you heard of the Slow Food movement? In a nutshell, it's a movement that encourages us to eat healthier foods and take the time to enjoy them. In Gainesville, we have a local chapter: http://www.slowfoodgainesville.org/

Here's what they have to say:

"Slow Food Gainesville is a local chapter of an amazing national and international non-profit organization that works to educate, support and celebrate food traditions and sustainable food production. Like Slow Food USA, Slow Food Gainesville believes that pleasure and quality in everyday life can be achieved by slowing down, respecting the convivial traditions of the table and celebrating the diversity of the earth’s bounty and our community. From the spice of Datil Peppers to the delicious simplicity of produce at our local farmers’ markets; from animal breeds and heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables to handcrafted wine and beer, farmhouse cheeses and other artisanal products; these foods are a part of our cultural identity. They reflect generations of commitment to the land and devotion to the processes that yield the greatest achievements in taste."

The Thought for the Day brought Slow Food to mind:



Living creatures are nourished by food, and food is nourished by rain; rain itself is the water of life, which comes from selfless worship and service.
– Bhagavad Gita


"We have been conditioned to look to food for some kind of deeper fulfillment. Food can entertain us, we are told. It is exciting, romantic, adventurous, exotic. Vast sums of money are spent trying to get us to buy a certain brand of potato chip or to prefer one brand of frozen pizza over another. In the midst of this carnival atmosphere, it is easy to forget that the real purpose of food is to nourish our bodies.

Eating together with those we love, eating nutritious food that has been prepared with love – this can nourish our inner needs, as well as our bodies. Taking time at meals to talk to each other and enjoy the meal as a shared sacrament is rare today. People are so busy that even meals have become something to be got through as quickly as possible. We need to slow down, take the time to prepare nutritious meals and rearrange our schedules so that we can be together."

I am becoming a slow food aficionado! It affects how I feel physically and I also enjoy preparation and most of all, eating the delicious meals.