Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Food for Thought

     I've been thinking about food a lot lately, and it's not just because of all the delicious holiday goodies (although, that weight I put on because of the goodies is one of the reasons).  My whole life I've grown up eating delicious home-cooked meals, but then eating all of the processed snacks I could get my hands on.  Eating those processed foods never bothered me until a few months ago when a new magazine came in the mail.

     The cover story talked all about the food industry in America and our "food responsibility" as Christians (read the whole article here).  The author mentioned many different viewpoints on our responsibility, but there was one that really stood out to me:
I don't really know what Jesus would have put on his plate at the church potluck that day. I suspect he might have tossed a few cheese doodles on his plate, next to his Jell-O, quietly reminding me that it is not what goes into our bodies that makes us unclean, but what comes out of them, from our mouths and hearts. Even so, I'm pretty sure there will not be junk food in heaven, nor do I think we'll be eating meat. I'm expecting to cook good, slow food there, and I have reason to believe we will.
-Leslie Leyland Fields
It's true--I don't think God is in heaven sending down lightening bolts every time we pop open a can of Pringles.  But God has provided all of these wonderful fruits, vegetables, and grains for us to eat.  Why do we feel the need to fill ourselves with junk food?

     As all of these thoughts were flowing through my mind, I began to think more about vegetables.  I've never been a huge veggie fan (except for the those salads from Olive Garden...can I get an "amen"?), but as one of my close friends went vegetarian, he exposed me to fresh veggies I'd never had.  Isn't it a shame that I just learned the amazing food that is fresh green beans?  I believe I am making a more conscientious and responsible choice when I decide to have some steamed green beans instead of frozen chicken nuggets.


     That's just a little preview into my thoughts on eating healthier and more responsibly.  Later I'll share more on the challenges of eating "good-for-you" food in a house with plenty of "not-so-good-for-you" choices.  But, my question to you is this: what's your favorite vegetable?  How do you prepare it (so I can try it myself :] )?


P.S.- Does anyone else share my desire to see this documentary?

2 comments:

  1. this recipe is my favorite vegetable recipe. i found in a cookbook i got at one of my showers. fresh broccoli is best but i've done it with frozen broc too, and it's still good. i also leave out ingredients if i don't have them (not parmesan though).

    http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=335&S=0

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