A phrase that conjures up a tumbler feed of politially-incorrect gifs and fires up an active feminist deserves no place on a women's food blog, right?

 

Well, that's exactly it. Not in my opinon.

 

While I certainly condemn misogyny and believe in a woman's right to pursue what she wishes with the same opportunity as the opposite sex, I don't believe in the condemnation of cooking as an antiquated pastime for stay-at-home moms and pre-World War II wives. I believe as a female (or male) we should take pride in making healthy, home-cooked meals for ourselves and our families.

 

As a young, career-woman in the city, I too often hear from both my male and female counterparts, "I don't have time to cook." In most cases, it's simply and definitively: "I don't cook." Most of those around me laugh and reply with a "me either."

 

While this may have traditionally been "okay" for men especially in the pre-Millennial generations - it's been a newer development among young women. Many Millenials, who grew up with technology at their fingertips, moms in the workforce and supermarkets teeming with processed delights, didn't learn how to cook. If they did, they learned how to cook the shortcut way (think semi-homemade dishes with processed ingredients like Stovetop stuffing, Duncan Heine's cake mix or Philadelphia cream cheese). Most schools are cutting their home-ec programs and most moms (or dads) just don't have the time after a 40+ hour workweek to source local ingredients, cook elaborate meals and teach their children about that process too.

 

That's not to say all Millennials can't cook or don't want to. A large portion of Millennials see the problems created by the consumption patterns of the previous generations and want to correct it. They understand the impact of food on the nation's health, eco-system, local economies, and future food security and want to make choices to lesson negative impacts. Another portion aren't aware yet, but are starting to be, thanks to the rise of food and fine dining in pop culture through channels like the Food Network and celebrity chefs. The rest, just don't know yet. Nutrition is barely taught in school, the Federal nutrional guidelines being a whole other debate in of itself, and cooking is an elusive elective. For many, it's low on the heirarchy of importance, without the realization that it's so intrinsically linked to those higher up.

 

Food is life, it's culture, sustainanence, love and pleasure. Food is vital to the nurturing of the human body and the way we grow, care for, harvest, distribute and consume it is vital for the sustainability of our living planet. Whether we are nurturing ourselves, our friends or our familes, the act of doing so is a priveledge the planet has provided us, and one we should honor and respect.

 

The idea that investing time in cooking technique or nutritional education is somehow counterproductive to the pursuit of higher education and career advancement is dangerous. It's part of a series of ideas that spread in the wake of the industrial revolution with the rise of capitalism and conspicuous consumption. 

 

The idea that local, sustainable and organic farming is not sufficient to keep up with the global demand for food, is wrong. The idea that we need genetically modified organisms to sustain a growing population is not necessesarily correct, and the proliferation of that idea is a dangerous one that could have irreversible consequences. 

 

What I advocate is not 100% organic, not 100% vegan, 100% raw, or 100% local. It's not about being a perfect consumer, having a perfect body or eating the perfect diet. What I advocate is an active awareness. Being conscious of what you are putting into your body, the affect it has on you, your health, and the health of the eco-system around you.

 

Being actively aware means educating yourself about the food systems surrounding us in the country, the benefits of healthy home-cooked meals that are responsibly sourced and taking the active step to consume those foods. Active awareness is voting with your mouth and your dollar. Your health and your family will thank you for it.

 

It also means getting Back in the Kitchen. Whether you are male or female, a single parent, a college roommate or a lone ranger, we need to get back to this beautiful room in our homes. We need to invest in our health, the health of the planet and of our future generations. And that investment just doesn't come in packaged processed foods. 

 

The goal of this blog is to raise awareness, offer insight and ideas, collect and share thoughts, recipes and readings. I'd like it to spark conversations and intelligent debate and to hopefully, somehow, even if in a small way, make a difference.

 

As a culture we need to advocate this idea of awareness and social responsibility, not just in food but in all channels of consumption. As Americans, we should try on the idea that other cultures, much older than ours, often chided for being too "slow" have actually perfected the model of health, happiness and living in harmony with our environment.

 

At the end of the day, we all need to find the time to get Back in the Kitchen.