"The founding father of the Slow Food Movement, Carlo Petrini, recognized in 1986 that the industrialization of food was standardizing taste and leading to the annihilation of thousands of food varieties and flavors. Concerned that the world was quickly reaching a point of no return, he wanted to reach out to consumers and demonstrate to them that they have choices over fast food and supermarket homogenization. He rallied his friends and began to speak out at every available opportunity and soon the movement was born and Slow Food was created. Today the organization is active in 50 countries and has a worldwide membership of over 80,000.
People have responded to the growing movement, because they have become tired of buying the same things, eating the same foods and living the same lives. With these interests in mind, our mission is to create a robust, active movement that protects taste, culture and the environment as universal social values. Slow Food programs are dedicated to the mingling of taste, culture and the environment."
I have recently learned of this Slow Food Movement and have been receiving the local newsletter from My Kingdom. Here at the castle we've always tried to sit down and share meals together, enjoy our food slowly in the company of family & friends. When the girls were younger we ate together every single night at the dining room table, complete meals with cloth napkins, candlelight, etc. Not only did they learn how to behave at a formal table, they also learned how to truly enjoy their food, not just rush through it while doing something else. I believe that this mindful eating has helped them stay fit & healthy with good eating habits. Dessert was always part of the meal, even if it was just a simple bowl of fruit or a scoop of ice cream. Since it was never forbidden or "bad," they learned moderation and that chocolate and goodies were a part of life, to be enjoyed along with tasty veggies and healthy meals. It's all good.
Now that they are older and have jobs, school activities, etc., those opportunities for leisurely meals are fewer, but we try to dine together at least once a week, even just for a simple lunch or breakfast. It's important, it nurtures both body & soul.
6 comments:
You are in the minority of people who sit down as a family to eat. Most just eat on the way to soccer or baseball. My family always ate at 6:oo, as did all families in the 50's, no matter what!
Rapunzel, Do you remember me writing about this movement a few months ago in our (late) recipe group? It really appeals to my sensibilities also! I can't claim to be a "member of the movement" in any really active way, but I live by so many of the concepts: preparing food from scratch, sitting down to meals with family and friends, growing and preserving some of my own food, etc. I loved reading your post about the Slow Food movement!
My family almost always sits together for dinner, at least whoever is around during that time. We keep things real casual though, only doing the more "formal" dinners for holidays. It's nice to see another family that sits down to dinner together though.
We try very hard to have consistent family sit-down meals at our house. Some weeks it's hard (such as this past few weeks of constant school play rehearsals), but we for the most part have made it way of life.
I have had such fun learning about the slow food movement, and learning to shop locally through our coop.
Glad to find others who feel the same!
Aisling, I vaguely remember you writing about it, no wonder the site looked familiar to me! *blush* I'm sorry, my memory is not what it used to be. I'm not surprised that it appealed to you as well, we are kindred spirits, my friend. :)
this is a very inspiring post...
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