We are political eaters. Now this doesn't mean we're perfect eaters—I can tear into a cheesesteak like an alligator eating a gazelle—but I don't think either of us has stepped into a a fast food joint (bathroom breaks included) in at least five years. I believe that the processed foods we buy at the market are officially nonexistent and just about every meal we eat requires some sort of preparation that can't be done in a microwave.
We don't eat like this to look kickass to everyone else; we do it because our bodies just respond well to it. There is also great pleasure to be had from food that is allowed the freedom to communicate its flavors in the simplest expressions. I think that everyone would have a healthier relationship with their food if they just gave it time. Unfortunately, time is probably the greatest reason why people feed themselves food not from their own kitchens.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are my "long days." I leave to catch the train at 7:15 in the morning and get back around 4:00 in the afternoon. On Mondays and Wednesdays I'm usually back by 2:00 before I have to teach a 6-9. Yeah I know, my life is rough.
On my long days, I pack a lunch which usually consists of fruit, a PBJ, and some soup. There isn't a microwave for me to use, so if I want something hot I need to bring it in a food jar or start a fire. I figured that I would save the later for after I get tenure.
Before the semester started I bought a Stanley food jar and it has been the talk of the town/faculty lounge. To keep in line with our political appetite, I make my soup from scratch (broth excluded until next year). I chop up a bit of potatoes and veggies the night before and bring them to a boil in broth the following morning. By the time lunch rolls around, the potatoes are cooked through and the rest of the veggies have added a little boost to the broth. It's pretty simple and the fact that I only have to do it twice a week really helps keep it interesting.
10 March 2008
A School Lunch
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4 comments:
Our computer has been down so i have just been getting caught up on some of my favorites- like you guys! i laughed out loud watching your beer opening on the furniture trick. we have a similar set-up here, but no drawer- the drawer really makes it. Also, i have to say we drink a lot of PBR- no opener required. we are rednecks at heart. when we have a kitchen we hope to brew our own- every tried it? cheers!
I'm nodding my head over here....I agree totally. Actually, your description as to why you eat healthy foods and non-processed foods pretty much is exactly what I have been saying for years about why I am a vegetarian. It makes for a much happier, healthier body, plus it tastes good.
I tend to make batches of food once or twice a week, usually in the winter it's big cauldrons full of mashed potatoes and cheese and I also make all sorts of soups and sandwiches and stuff. Smells and tastes a million times better than the packaged, processed crud everyone at work is eating.
I'm going to have to look into the Stanley food jar....I've not heard of it yet, and that sounds interesting. I'm not a fan of the microwave either, especially since ours at work tend to be meat dish splattered inside, which is very unappetizing for me. I'd clean it, except the only cleaning supplies at work have lavender in them and I'm allergic to lavender, so I mostly eat tepid food or bring lots of fruit leathers and sandwiches and such. I'm off to go google the food jar now...
Polar Bear and the Dodger,
It's good to have you back.
There's nothing wrong with PBR, admittedly I would dig a little more to chew on in a beer, but I've only know myself to turn down MGD. I honestly think that stuff is bile in a bottle. Sinners.
We have not ventured into home brew just yet. I've been nudging my brother-in-law, John, into getting something started. He's done a few batches of wine so his experience is well above my own. There are a number of kits out there that anyone with a closet can use, but we want to stay away from the pre-manufactured powders. Double sinners.
Howdy Meg,
It sounds like we could share a kitchen. Although I am a meat eater, I fancy myself a considerate carnivore.
If you need another reason to look into food jars, they are great for long day hikes during the cooler months. One 20oz jar is perfect for Meg and I to share a bit of cabbage and potato soup on the trail. Let us know what you end up doing.
Did my reading up on it and this sounds really good! I will be getting me one when I get the $600 tax rebate thing later this year....I told myself I could use part of it to buy a dehydrator and some more dark colored pots for the solar cooker, I will also be getting one of the food jars at that time, too!
In warm weather we spend a bunch of time out at our 1.5 acre lot (it's half hour from home), so we have to bring lunch and such when we go out to work and play out there....on sunny days we cook out there with the solar cooker, but this'll be a good idea for bringing food on the cloudy days! Thanks for the idea!
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