BACK TO THE FUTURE

SLOW FOOD

LOOKING BACK FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Yummy, yummy!

Here are some delicious bites of sustainable development

WHAT IS SLOW FOOD? Slow food is all about local and traditional foods made to be savored. It’s a reaction against the mass production of the fast food industry. The slow food movement promotes healthy, locally-sourced food and regional traditions to combat the mindless and hurried consumption of food in the modern day. It encourages people to cook wholesome meals – and take the time to really enjoy their food. And it’s about preserving local cultures and heritage in a world where fast food franchises are wiping out diversity with their homogeneous menus. Here are the basic principles of the slow food movement:

• Preserving local food cultures and traditions
• Emphasizing the joy of eating and savoring your food
• Encouraging local farmer’s markets
• Promoting traditional foods and the stories behind them
• Working to preserve family farms
• Promoting organic farming
• Teaching gardening to young students and prisoners
• Encouraging the farming of plants that are part of the local ecosystem

You may love the concept of slow food. But how can you realistically bring these slow food principles into your everyday life? Here are some practical tips:

1. Plant an herb garden. If you have a patio, a balcony or even a kitchen windowsill with potted plants, then grow some herbs to sprinkle over your meals. A pot of rosemary won’t make you an off-grid minimalist – or even cut your grocery bill. But it will give you an appreciation of fresh, wholesome food that you’ve grown yourself.
2. Cook some staples in bulk. Learn how to meal prep and cook up batches of basics like rice, potatoes and chopped veggies in bulk. Use these ready-to-eat ingredients to throw together healthy and affordable meals throughout the week. Meal prep saves you both time and money – and it’s a great alternative to junk food.
3. Support local eateries. When you’re eating out, opt for the small ma and pa restaurants over international franchises. Pick eateries that use local ingredients and serve regional foods over cookie-cutter commercial restaurants.
4. Buy fresh ingredients instead of processed foods. Learn the art of a simple and quick sauce made from scratch. They’re tastier than their jar counterparts – and they can also be prepared in bulk.
5. Record your family recipes. Spend some time diving into your family’s food culture and traditions. Make a catalog of your favorite recipes and regional favorites from your culture that have been passed down through generations.