Food For Thought

You are what you eat - food and culture

Preparation of food, proper nutrition and sitting down to eat at mealtimes are a high priority for people all over the world . Everybody needs food , the young and old . Breaking this down into cultural communities we have some ethnic minority groups within larger sections of another culture . This situation tends to favour the smaller cultures, who fight to hold on to their cultural cooking where a specific food is pivotal.

A collection of ingredients, preparation and cooking are as much a part of some passionate groups who have rituals like sitting down at table saying grace before meals or respect those who are no longer alive .

It is a challenge for parents on the breadline to continue to provide a an exotic menu for their family .

On the other side of the coin there are the wealthy part of society who like to eat out at fancy restaurants and hold cocktail parties where a vast choice of finger food is on offer .

As well the food there are favoured cutlery items to enable people to feed themselves where appropriate . Silverware , Chopsticks , Bare hands etc

Fast food and vendor machines are going to be a thing we hand down to our ancestors .
Once it would have been recopies and how to procedures but today
We are showing the easy way to eat and find satisfaction .

We need to think about that.
Its important for people to share time with one another in the family home.
So we need to all sit down and talk about things at meal times

It can identify our behaviours as well as identifying our cultures

Each culture have their own taste and flavour with Anglo Celtic style food , Asian and Chinese , Russian , Mexican , Italian , German , Indian Greek , Dutch and Diabetic Jewish(Kosher) . There are breads and cheeses , pastas and vegetables, curries , chillies , rice and meats . They all come with recipes that have been handed down from one generation to then next .
Some beliefs do not eat meat and the way in which vegetarian food is prepared adds a new dimension to food .
Different methods of presenting meals is another important way that we show respect for food and culture .. We may use a coloured trays or plates with a picture or symbol that relates to a particular cultural background

Eating together is how we best understand the communication of acceptance, friendship, and community through food .

Rituals and Food Places
Ask yourself what are the preferred foods and preparations .
Do you like eating indoors or outdoors?
Picnics and Barbeques can be a way to enjoy food as well as the landscaping where ever you may be . Just find a soft place to sit or bring your own chairs and sip in the scene .
Some cultures cook food outdoors using a fire pits., bonfires or campfire .
Camping out also is another alternative using portable stoves and even caravan arrangements . Food has a special taste when it is cooked outdoors.
For social and business people eating in restaurants and cafes is a regular thing . There is where cultural cuisine can be seen .
Further, the tasks associated with cooking, such as shopping and washing up, can be challenging for some people. That is why they may opt for eating out .at bistros and social and luncheon clubs who are able to provide a good hot meal regularly as well as doing the clean up afterwards . It also provides people a chance of social opportunities.
Certain styles of food and where we eat can also define who we are and where we come from they could be symbols of wealth and status .
Food preparation and presentation provide areas for creativity and artistic expression . Chefs display their skills at competitive levels many of the worlds best restaurants .

Seasonal Food

Winter Summer Autumn and Spring bring with them their own particular menus . Everything from salads and seafood in the summer months to soups and stews in the colder seasons .

Festivals and holidays like Thanksgiving , Christmas and new year bring with them food produce with turkeys ,Christmas hams , pork and fish filling the stores in most countries .

Easter time of course is when we go chocolate crazy and fill ourselves with things that the Easter bunny brings .

Easter Filled
By Paul McCann

There once was a young Easter Bunny .
Who loved eating chocolate and honey .
When Easter time came , the kids did the came
until they were sore in the tummy .

Birthdays and weddings are identified with having special cakes to celebrate the occasion . Along with the cake there are parties and lots of things to eat and drink .

Countries and cultures play a major role with these events .

Institutionalised Food

Hospital food is a clinical procedure with strict daily menus . Trays and trolleys are delivered to the bedside and strict guidelines are put in place for patients with special needs . Many people in hospital have special needs that need addressed like diabetics , peg feed patients , others may have allergies and a nutritional plan is made for every case where any risk to the patients healh is concerned ovover feeding is always on the cards .

Some nursing homes and hospitals go to extreme measures in placing a great deal of time and effort in the dietary needs of their residents .
Old people who have lost the ability to feed themselves require puree food and a nurse is required to spoon feed them . For old people it is very important that their proper nutrition is maintained . Again a nutrition plan is made out for each redident in a nursing home .
Dining rooms are a big focus in most facilites with food brought to the table by staff . Dining room services also provide food delivered to apartments as well.

There are agencies like Meals On Wheels and The Penny Lunch who dalt provide food for the frail and aged and disadvantaged in our communities .
Without these agencies many people would not survive .

Respect and Understanding at the table
It is really an admirable custom to respect others at the table, including the aged, teachers and guests while taking good care of children.
Chinese people stress filial piety all the time. The practice of presenting the best or fine food first to the senior members of the family has been observed for countless generations. In ancient times the common people led a needy life but they still tried their best to support the elder mother or father who took it for granted.
Although the hosts in China are all friendly and hospitable, you should also show them respect. Before starting to eat dinner, the host may offer some words of greeting. Guests should not start to eat until the host says, 'Please enjoy yourself' or something like that, otherwise it suggests disrespect and causes displeasure.
When hosts place dishes on the table, they will arrange the main courses at the center with the supporting dishes evenly placed around them. When the main dishes are prepared in a decorative form either by cut or other means they will be placed facing the major guests and elder people at the table. This also embodies virtue

We are what we eat and with all respect we must also take into account many millions of people who are starving in the world today .
That is some real food for thought .

By Paul McCann