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| Photo Credit: My Husband--the grillin' chef ;) |
So, I have been thinking a lot lately about food. Ha! That
sounds really bad. I have been thinking about sociological consequences of our
food choices. Better put. I was on the way home from a vacation in Florida,
when I downloaded a free LendMe on my nook. I remember reading over the article
and thinking, “Hm, this could be interesting.” At best, it would keep me
entertained for my three hour journey back home to NJ. In any sense, it was
about the sociological trends of society in relation to class and culture and
our relationships to food. It occurred at the same time that my blog needed
more direction—so here we GO!
I have spoken before about my ancestry—I am Irish, Polish,
and Hungarian. The Irish didn’t really eat—drank, yes—treats—like sweet wise,
not really. We had tea biscuits around, fruits, meats, a vegetable garden my
maternal grandfather kept—but we really shunned sweets on that side. My mom
is—no surprise—not a fan of rich, decadent sweets. Neither is my brother.
I, on the other hand, like my father, am a sweet-craving
ravenous fiend! Not a diabetic comatose kind, but I will gladly take a dessert
instead of dinner. The Polish and Hungarian sides were so similar in their
devotion to sweets and butter—and it goes with their culture. No meal was ever
complete without a sweet bread or pastry. Perhaps, that is where it lies.
Now, there is nothing wrong with sweets; there is nothing
wrong with cultural food. However, the way we prepare these foods—are the
reasons why (aside from genetics, old age, and activity) we are getting fat and
unhealthy. Sounds blunt doesn’t it? Well—let us examine the facts here—I will
use my own family as a compass.
In the late 1880s/1900s, my great-grandparents were born.
The majority of them were immigrants with little education, who came to America
for a better life. My family (as mentioned before) saw each generation go
farther than the last. It’s a beautiful testament to our great nation. Now
patriotism, and nostalgia aside—let’s talk FOOD!
My great-grandparents did not have the luxury of
refrigeration (ice boxes), preservatives, computers, or cars. In fact, my
great-grandmother used to walk to the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick
maker (ha!) every day for her daily needs. The first time my grandfather took
her to a modern day supermarket (I am told) she stood in awe. For her, it was
exercise, fresh food—no preservatives. There were no GMF’s (Genetically
Modified Foods). There were no “certified organic labels.” EVERYTHING was
organic! They had what they grew. They knew who grew it—and how they grew it!
My great-grandparents who died naturally died in their late 80s/90s.
Now, let’s think about today’s times. I buy my food (usually) en masse at a local
supermarket. Sometimes (usually once per month) I go to a mega convenient
supermarket like Sam’s or BJ’s. However, I seldom—but I JUMP ON IT WHEN I
DO—get to a local farmer’s market. When I do go to a farmer’s market or market,
I buy in bulk. I figure it is locally grown (hello, helping out your local
small homegrown farmers), but also you know a bit more about your food (to an
extent). I have been known to have bushels of apples after a trip to
Pennsylvania in Fall.
My grandparents’ generation (hello, "Greatest Generation") saw a bit more convenience. They
had refrigerators; they began to see modern conveniences like a dishwasher for
the rich. They had this super high tech stuff that was basically from a
laboratory that kept your food longer (hello, preservatives). But—they still
did for at least half their lives shop locally, and live more clean lifestyles
in relation to their eating habits. Their portion sizes were smaller. There was
less technology, so my grandfathers had to do manual labor work in their skill
set. My grandmothers did housework by hand, absent modern day conveniences like
microwaving, clothing dryers, and dishwashers. Preservatives were becoming a
luxury—a way to keep food longer—save money. However, in the end—it ended up
harming. The cities were becoming more urban at this time—their gardens were
small patches of green in their yards. They lived into their late 70s, and
early 80s—nearly a decade shorter than their parent generation.
My parents’ generation (hello, Babyboomers!) saw a lot more
preservatives, supermarkets, and convenient eating TV dinners. They grew up
with it! “Ovaltine” was heralded as a substitute for drinking milk—by eating
powdered sugar and other stuff?! Hello?! What happened to MILK—actual MILK?!
Olestra—margarine as a substitute for butter. Their grandparents had
butter—they worked in fields—they ate modestly. Butter was a luxury.
Margarine—is, well, eating chemicals. The “diet” fad took effect as the
population began its flirtation with weight gain. Again, they started to resort
to artificial sweeteners. Soda was common place—the American way. Fast
food—preservatives galore—was common place. It was the American Dream—and
everyone had cars.
However, despite this all—I do have to say—my parents’
generation did not have video games. They actually PLAYED outside as I did for
the early part of my childhood. No computers or cell phones for them. If they
wanted Little Johnny to come out to play—they went to his house—not Text
Message or IM them.
But I have to wonder—if despite everything else—the reason
many Boomers have medical health issues their grandparents didn’t was due to
their lifestyle choices and relationships to food?
My generation—perhaps—sees the worst. We are the most
technology privileged of the three, but—we are cursed when it comes to eating
habits. Thankfully, America is starting—nearly 30 years later-- to awaken. The
food awakening has definitely begun! My generation was the generation of bottle
fed formula babies. Little powder swashed around with (yucko) unfiltered tap
water! We drank cow’s milk. We had baby food loaded with sugar and preservatives.
Parents and everyone thought it was convenient and a good idea for society to
give their babies the best—however, my generation saw a sharp increase in
childhood obesity. It saw medical health issues increase in young adults. I
even read articles in my sociology minor class where girls’ puberty was
actually starting earlier—possibly linked to the formula fed verses breast fed.
Now, my generation is getting ready to embark on our own
generation of babies. Many are opting to best feed—go organic—locally buy
things. I only hope it continues. Food should be created in a garden not a lab.
Let’s show the world our great-grandparents’ generation—and start from the
ground. Literally.
