We Do Need a Food Revolution
Last night I watched Jamie Oliver's new TV show that is airing on ABC. I have been a fan of Jamie for many years. What endears me to him is his style, the way he cooks and his flair for making conversation with just about anyone. He speaks his mind. He is opinionated and, yes, I like that! :-)
Now that he is making his first entry into the masses of North America, into the heart of dumbed-down America, he has had to make modifications. He still speaks his mind but the way his message is being delivered is much more dramatic, hyped-up, shocking. This has had to happen to appeal to prime time. This is not the Food Television crowd or a European crowd. This is West Virginia.
The editors of the program are having a field day I am sure sifting through all of the hours of footage they have accumulated. It is classic good vs. bad, elitism vs. populism, foreign vs. domestic. Here comes this bloke from England, with his funny accent, stating that America is killing its kids because of the lack of respect organizations, and consequently their followers, the masses, give to nutrition. Who is he to say this to US(a)?
There were classic moments. The redneck, hick that hates all newcomers to town. The woman who is so set in her ways, and so brainwashed by a system that is supposedly looking after the children of America, that she doesn't ever question a thing and would feed them arsenic if the USDA said it was healthy. The obese family that is suddenly crying out for help and feels that Jamie is a godsend. It made for entertaining television.
I hope that entertainment is not all it will be to viewers. I hope that school administrators and USDA officials are watching. That food conglomerate executives are watching with their children. That middle America is listening to the message. A simple one really so long as you remove the veil that is covering your eyes and ears.
Your children will have a shorter lifespan than you.
Eating is basic to survival, and healthy eating basic to healthy living.
Eating fresh does not need to be expensive.
Cooking is easy.
Prioritize cooking and food preparation over television (except for shows like this of course!)
Family time is important.
So now go make it happen. Unfortunately most people reading this blog are already converted. So herein lies the problem. How do your force people to listen to a message they have a prejudgement against? Good luck Mr. Oliver. I really hope you succeed in convincing school boards in the US that eating with a fork and knife is something that five years old can do.
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