Stephanie Chin, 11/10/09, research paper

Stephanie Chin

ART 118

Slow Food Movement Tea Infuser

            Fast food has become a well-known staple all around the world thanks to chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King. Fast food for some people may be the majority of their diet or at least a new and favorite food group. It’s not to say fast food is always bad and should be boycotted; I, for one, love being able to pick up french fries from the comfort of my own car on my way to school, for example. But, whatever happened to real food- the kind you make from scratch in your own garden and home? The slow food movement is an objection to fast food, genetically modified foods, pesticides, large-scale food manufacturing and processing, and various other practices that alters our food’s purity and nutrition. The slow food movement, therefore, encourages local buying and farming, encourages organics, educates individuals, promotes and preserves small family farms, and lobbies against genetic engineering. However, one of the most interesting aspects of the slow food movement is the teaching of gardening skills to students and prisoners.

            In my opinion, gardening is a lost activity in our world of convenience. Instead of growing your own vegetables, it’s the normal and much easier practice to stop by the grocery store to buy whatever it is you need. But, gardening is not part of the slow food movement just because it produces healthy food straight from the source and does not undergo various processing or manufacturing. Gardening is a way to slow down life. It can alleviate stress or tensions and can be an individual hobby or an enjoyable activity to share with others. For these reasons, the slow food movement uses the practice of teaching gardening skills to students and prisoners. Schools that have signed onto the slow food movement have gardens, which help to show children how food grows and exactly where it comes from. This learning process differs greatly from the notion that food comes from a grocery store or out of a bag. Also, it may seem strange that prisoners would learn how to garden. In my opinion, gardening can be a great outlet to relieve stress or anxiety or to re channel energy. In short, it can keep people busy instead of letting them wander into trouble. Gardening has almost a meditation quality about it although many individuals still perceive it to be work or hard labor.

            Although the slow food movement has gained popularity and notice in various countries around the world, it is still looked upon by some individuals with skepticism. Instead of making drastic changes immediately, it is encouraged that people start with small steps. For example, cooking meals at home can be a daunting idea, so it is encouraged that people start with making 1 homemade element at a time and gradually work towards preparing all parts of a meal at home without help from take out or prepared foods. The slow food movement incorporates good, healthy food and the concept of slowing down time. Mealtimes are supposed to be sources of family bonding, and research has even shown that children who eat family meals regularly do better in school. So instead of rushing through meals or eating in front of a television, why don’t people go back to the basics, back to their roots and enjoy a meal among friends or family?  

            Various cultures have different views on “time.” Americans generally live a more fast paced life under the notion that “time is money.” Therefore, we make tradeoffs between quality of food and convenience. The majority of the time though, fast food actually costs more than home cooked meals. Due to the recession, many individuals have realized how costly it is to dine out and have now opted to prepare their own meals in an effort to save money; with the recession, old time gadgets soared in popularity again, such as the slow cooker. A slow cooker is the perfect example of the slow food movement since it not only produces meals at home but also entails a wait for the food- this wait forces people to take mealtime slower instead of typically rushing through it.

            Although the slow food movement may appear to be more hassle than its worth, I believe it is worth a try and is very doable for each family, each individual, and each lifestyle. Smalls steps are all it takes to get started to a healthier life, and you may even enjoy the beauty of slowing down and taking a breath. Remember, slow food won’t kill you, but fast food could. My advice is to live in the moment, enjoy the moment, seize the moment, and enjoy life one bite at a time.