In Chapter 15, we find Barbara and her husband, Steven, prepping for a 2nd honeymoon of sorts. They're taking a trip to Italy in search of good food and good times (a la Eat, Pray, Love). They find both in abundance, as they fall even more in love with Italy and its culture (Stephen has Italian heritgage). At first they enjoy the sights, and as the trip progresses their journey becomes more and more food-centered. They sample good food in the cities as well as the countryside. She even says they can't find "in the whole of Italy...a bad meal" (Kingsolver 244).
So far I'm enjoying the book, and as I read more I'm becoming more convinced that every American should read this book. It's an easy read as well as an interesting one, and she makes points Americans drastically needs to hear. For one, she talks about how Italians are able to eat so plentifully and not be fat (clearly a problem in America). The key is eating slow and not over-eating. When Italians eat, not only do they eat their food, but they savor it, enjoy it, experience it. Also, any place selling food is dedicated to good food. Just because you're in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean you have to eat at a Shell to save yourself from starvation.The last, and most important point I think she makes, is when she discusses olive harvesting (255). She mentions that the government is trying to preserve the old ways of farming and limit machine harvesting. A government that cares about what its citizens eat!? Impossible, right?
The solution to America's food woes are not out of reach. Italy and other countries around the world have the answer. The movement has started in America, but government cooperation is needed, or at least would make things a lot easier.
Final note: Here's a quick trivia about some facts from Chapter 15. Seeing as most of you aren't reading the book, you'll probably fail (kidding, if you fail you need help), but the answers are at the bottom and the point is really just to provide additional information. So DOOO ITTTT
Trivia
-Mason Mariney
Mason, nice post! You make it sound really witty and engaging... I like the whole Italian mentality regarding food as an experience of the senses--one to be savored. I think they just raise their kids with that super-awesome belief in quality and moderation. If we Americans could instill that in our citizens at an early age, the realm of food ethics may become unneccessary... everyone will just eat the good stuff.
ReplyDelete-Taylor Halbig
Thanks Taylor. But yeah that's so true. You don't hear about "organic movements" anywhere else in the world because the idea is already so engrained in their cultures and their people. Fast, over-processed food in America is just the result of Americans looking for another shortcut. America is constantly looking for progress, and I think we have to realize that while iprogress is beneficial and necessary, some steps just have to be taken. We can't leave behind good food in our desire to move forward.
ReplyDelete-Mason Mariney