I Don't Need my Food Fast

      Let me make this clear right now, I love food. When I say this I mean I love every aspect of food. I love cooking it, sharing it, talking about it, reading about it, and above all I love eating it. Food brings people closer; families, neighbors, strangers, it doesn't matter. The majority of my fondest memories contain some sort of breaking of bread with others, and it's no coincidence. Food speaks to our souls, and warms us from head to toe. This being said, it appalls me how many American's do not enjoy the simple pleasures of a good meal, but rather eat practically every meal at their local McDonald's, Taco Bell, or Chick-fil-a. Don't get me wrong, fast food tastes good. Its' greasy, filled with plastic cheese and salt, and low grade meat; who doesn't love that? The more I think about it though, the more I don't understand why people don't take an hour of their day and cook and eat a good meal with their families and loved ones. Yes, I understand that we American's are busy, that teenagers have school work to do, and then sports practice, and hours of homework, and that parents have to work, run children to extracurricular activities, pay their bills, and then somehow provide food. Fast food and frozen foods are the easy way, they provide enough to get us through the day and we don't have to slow down too much. That's what our country is all about. How can I do something in the fastest time possible, so that I can move onto the next thing, which I will also do as fast as I can?
     Imagine the possibilities that could be on your plate if you just took some time, opened a cook book or two, and made a meal that didn't come from a freezer, heated in some grease, and put into a paper bag that was then pushed through a drive through window. Not only are these meals healthier, but they taste better, I promise! Fresh ingredients make all the difference, and once you go fresh you'll never go back. Honestly, who wouldn't enjoy a warm stew or pan seared fish with a well seasoned sauce reduction made in their own kitchen? Now, I understand that money is tight and it is hard to buy lovely fresh ingredients all the time, and that not everyone is available to state of the art cooking equipment, but even if all you have is a pot, an oven, and some cheap stew meat, you can make a beef bourguignon. People are often shocked to find that food make from the cheapest ingredients are the best. These recipes are often traditional, and traditional recipes were created out a necessity for nutritious meals that still tasted good. Want a great home cooked meal? Look up an traditional Italian dish (you may also be surprised to find that the best Italian food is not made with tomato sauce). Traditional Italian foods are the staples of cheap delicious food. Not really in to Italian food? Try French! It applies the same principle but uses different main ingredients.
      With all of this being I said, I am sure some people are going to say "But I can't cook". Cooking is not all that difficult, it just requires some practice and getting used too. Below I have included a very step- by- step video of how to make a grilled cheese to start off the new foodies who would liek to start cooking, but just don't knwo how. Nothing wrong with starting the a great sandwich and working your way up to the big stuff like osso bucco with saffron rissotto! So go and channel your inner Julia Child or Jaques Pepin and watch the food fly. Bon appetit mes amis!

Grilled Cheese Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaxyzK2mHqw