Give thanks to food

In Patricia Klindienst’s article, she mentions how slaves in U.S. history knew how to cultivate and farm, therefore were the only links between garden grown food and their masters. The slaves were sometimes allowed a garden for there own use, and this not only helped them feed themselves, but it allowed them to feel like a family. Today, the concept of eating for us is mostly based on the individual, however in many other cultures eating together with family is of central importance. Just like the slaves, many other cultures view food as a symbol of reliance on each other for not simply the food itself but for ritual and togetherness. Food grown in a non market economy allows the grower and buyer to establish a certain connection that creates a relationship because they do all of the trading, and buying personally. Since our society is a market economy, when we buy our food we never really get to know the person we buy it from because stores allow food to be conveniently and quickly accessible. This limits our ability to connect through food like these non market based societies.
This reminded me of when the pilgrims first came to settle in America. They did not know how to grow any food and would have starved if it weren’t for the Indians. The Indians brought themselves closer to the pilgrims saving there lives and creating a special bond with them through the food they grew together. We even have a holiday celebrating this relationship among the pilgrims and the Indians, all because food brought them together. I think that there should be more interaction with food growers and the consumers because it builds trust which I feel is important to have with someone growing your lifeline. We are so busy with our everyday lives that food becomes only a necessity for living, rather than a bonding experience. I think It would be ideal if we could construct ways to become familiar with each other through food growth.

what goes into our food?

When I was a little girl and got sick , my grandma always took some mint from her garden and made me mint tea. It was always so fresh and made me feel so much better, but today when I want to get the same feeling and use store bought mint tea bags, its never the same. This has always made me wonder why organically grown plants are just all around better than treated store bought plants because I’ve never really thought about what happens to food before it enters the market. Because the basic subjects in school are Math , English, Science, and not agriculture as Barbara Kingsolver intimates in her article, I’ve never thought or learned about where my food comes from. This is something that the farm has taught me. Going to the farm opened my eyes to so many possibilities of food growth. There was pretty much every ingredient needed to make a hearty salad, and much more. Even though I feel that I would be too lazy to keep it up, I would like to grow a lot of my own vegetables and fruits in the future. I know I would feel more comfortable eating the food I grew because I would know exactly how it was grown, where it was grown, and what aides were used to help it grow. I feel that if more people learned how to farm their own crops, there would be much less pesticide and additive prone illness and a lot more self reliance for food.

As said in class, “ We need to reconnect with where our food comes from for our health and the health of the planet.” Besisedes, lemonade made from the lemons in the tree in my backyard is so much better than store bought lemonade anyway!

we eat with our eyes,nose, then mouth

I think that by handling food and having its presence in front of me while learning is a very effective and fun way to learn. I have never heard of a bento box before, and by making it myself I understand why mothers put so much time and effort into them. Even though I was not making it for a child I tried to make it as crafty as possible because I wanted to have a challenge. It felt like a mini competition of who would have the most exciting box , like the competition amongst mothers in Japan. I felt like I was creating art rather than a meal because of the assortment of colors, shapes, and tiny spacing. In the U.S., we are used to bigger portions, not so many color contrasts and a centered set up rather than smaller individual spaces. I actually like Japanese set up better because it allows the consumer to appreciate each part separate from the others. The colors make the meal more of an experience rather than a necessity because they make the meal not only tasty but aesthetically pleasing. I heard someone once say that we eat with our eyes, our nose, and then with our mouth. Making these bento boxes is a perfect example of this quote because it is the first time that I have realized the truth in it.


I did not have a plan before making my bento box. I’m not an artist nor am I very creative. However, I think my bento box turned out alright because even though I’m not an artist, I was able to use the tools I had in front of me, along with my knowledge of color contrasting to create something simple, yet pretty. I wanted to create different dimensions with many different colors so that my bento box would be pleasing to the eye. I have a greater respect for the mothers now because even if they aren’t professionals they take so much time, and effort to lovingly create a piece of art for there child, even though they know it is going to be eaten. After creating my bento, I did not want to eat it because I had worked hard on it. This made me realize the purpose of the bento boxes. They express the love and support that the mothers have for their children because they are willing to give up their time and effort to create something tasty, and creative because they want their children to know that they love , support, and are there for them. This is another example of the reoccurring theme of food bringing loved ones together and being used as an expression of love.

Loneliness and hunger

The story "The Boy Who Became a Muni Bird" portrays the theme of loneliness and hunger. The fact that the boy says that he does not have any fish hints to the reader that what he really wants is to be felt sorry for. This is a plea for attention to his sister because he does not want to be left alone. By giving him the fish, his sister would be granting his wish by letting him know that she is there for him. However, she does not give the boy the fish, and he turns into a Muni bird which signifies death in the Japanese culture. Because loneliness is feared greatly in Japanese culture, death is expressed as the result of loneliness. Since food is a very essential part of life, giving and sharing it with family members is crucial for unity and as an expression of love. Since the boy does not receive this expression of love and pity from his sister, he dies.

I view the theme of hunger and loneliness from a different perspective. Through watching movies, reading books, observing others, and in my own experience, being lonely and feeling unloved results in depression which can ultimately result in death. When one feels like they are not cared for (in this case because the boys sister would not give him the food) he or she feels the need to compensate for that loss through food. Food provides comfort when no one else is there and often times fills an empty hole other than the stomach. This is why many people abuse there ability to eat by taking advantage of food in a way that provides comfort when it is meant to sustain and nourish. Many people, as well as myself find comfort in food when we are bored, sad, or lonely because it fills the void of whatever we are missing. Although this is simply a innocent habit for some, it can be fatal to many. If someone is too overwhelmed by depression or loneliness, food can do more harm then good. Obesity is a huge problem in the United States and it is often times the result of depression or loneliness. This problem can result in many types of illnesses including diabetes, heart problems, and often times death. This is my take on how hunger stems from loneliness and can result in death.

If anyone is ever lonely, sad, bored, or just wants a healthy snack, these recipes are both healthy and delicious.

Veggie Sticks and Pesto Dipping Sauce

4 ribs celery, cut into sticks or, store bought precut celery sticks
4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks, or 10 ounce store bought package carrot sticks
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips lengthwise
8 thin scallions,
trimmed 1/2 zucchini, cut into sticks
1 cup basil leaves
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley tops
1 clove garlic, cracked away from skin
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/3 cup walnut pieces,
a couple of handfuls 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil,
eyeball it Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut and arrange veggie sticks on platter. If you want to cut down on chopping, many veggies can be store bought already cleaned and cut for dipping.
In a food processor, combine basil, parsley, garlic, lemon zest and juice and grind into a paste. Add nuts and cheese and grind again to combine them into the paste. Pulse in the olive oil until it is combined. Transfer to a small dish and season the sauce with salt and pepper, to your taste. Set dipping bowl on veggie platter and serve.

Courtesy of Rachael Ray.


Fresh Fruit and Mint Salad

1 papaya or mango
1 cup strawberries
2 kiwis
1 banana
2 navel oranges
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier, optional
3 to 5 sprigs fresh mint
1 cup raspberries or blueberries

Peel and dice the mango or papaya, and put in a medium bowl. Trim the strawberries' stems and half or quarter, if large. Add to the bowl of fruit. Peel and dice the kiwi, add to bowl. Peel and slice the bananas, add to bowl.
Cut the top and bottom off the oranges just deep enough to expose the inner fruit. Following the curve of the fruit cut the skin and pith off the orange in panels. Holding the orange over the bowl cut between the membranes to free the citrus segments. Let them fall into the bowl as they are cut free. By hand, squeeze all the juice from the remaining membrane over the fruit, then discard. Repeat with the other orange. Lightly stir the honey and Grand Marnier, if using, into the fruit. Strip the mint leaves off the stem, tear, or chop into smaller pieces, and stir into the fruit salad. Add the berries and set aside for 10 minutes or up to 2 hours. Serve.

Courtesy of food network kitchens

Food creates memories

“What keeps me motivated is not the food itself but all the bonds and memories the food represents.”

-Michael Chiarello

Ever since I was a little girl i've always loved to curl up on the couch with an ice cold drink and watch the food network. Sounds cheesy but its kind of a family thing. I've grown up in a Puerto Rican household where cooking with a variety of fresh ingredients is key for a good meal. I've always been fascinated with cooking and trying out recipes from online and cook books (even if it didn't turn out so well.) Cooking is such a big thing in my family that we have our own family cook book. Much like the family in MFk Fisher's "A thing shared," meals bring my family together. However, what really makes us bond is the preparation. Because Puerto Rican meals involve a vast assortment of ingredients, my two sisters and I help my grandma and mom prepare by cutting onions crushing garlic, or stirring the pot. The aroma that fills the house from the cooking meals is something that reminds me of my family and the times we have shared.

One of the fondest memories that I know I will remember forever is cooking with my family during Christmas. My family makes a common Puerto Rican Christmas dish called "pasteles".

My sisters, mom, grandma and aunt create an assembly line, and as the pastel comes down we each put an ingredient in (my favorite things to put in are the olives and the meat because I often times secretly pop peices in my mouth.) Although this process is tedious and time consuming, it is something my family looks forward to because it is a time we can all get together and talk about what is going on in our lives. It is our bonding time away from television, school, computers, work, and friends. It is also a way for us to just be a family even after a fight about my sister wearing my shirt without asking or me being annoyed with my mom for telling me to wash the dishes for the 20th time. Because of its ability to melt away anger, fulfill emptiness, and create memories, food has become a fun and essential thing for my family and me.