Foodlore Library
User login
Foodlore Library
The lovely thing about families is that we all have traditions, which, while we're in the thick of them, seem perfectly normal and just what we do. But sometimes, through no fault of our own, traditions end. Then we are handed bittersweet hindsight, and in seeing our traditions again through fresh, almost naive eyes, we realize the wondrous, unique nature of what we had for so long thought was simply commonplace.
In the beginning, there was ... well, not jarred baby food, certainly. Who can explain why a product that’s the subject of so many jokes and derisive comments is so eagerly fed to our most cherished population? If it’s not something you would eat, why on earth would you feed it to your child? (I'll get to this with Rule #6.) Instead, just give your little one the real thing: real food.
Here are thirteen rules for parents eager to break free of those dreaded jars and bring up healthy, adventurous eaters.
Rule #1: Anything that can be turned into mush is appropriate for first feedings.
Many of us are Convivialists, and don't know it. We enjoy friends, family, food, and drink. When we gather, the more people who can be crammed into the kitchen, while still allowing the chef to work, the better. Or seated nearby, or at the table. Ah, the table. Or the counter. That space where the wonderous smells settle onto a serving vessel and surface. The staging place for our repast. There, with plates and utensils in hand we may rub elbows, smile at the extraordinary and the sublime, and revel in the most wonderful of all: Love in its most fundemental form. Yes my friends, as our food becomes us, the love from the chef (and the Divine Beloved) also becomes us.
As a college student living in the Willamette Valley, the presence of the rich agricultural history of the region was ever-present. On bike rides through the wine country I would witness the change in color of the vineyards from lush green to gold. The farmer’s market downtown featured every variety of apple-crisp and sweet, firm and tart.
Unless stated otherwise, the content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike United States License.
