Hear that? Rumble. It's inside us all. A hungry tummy. It's that small nudge inside each of us, that proves the wisdom of our Creator in His ordering of the universe. It reminds us that we are dependent creatures. We were made to hunger, in order to eat, in order to be nourished, in order to survive, to thrive, to realize that all things come from His kind hand, for in Him we live, move, and have our being.
Food is a gift from God. Not just a necessity, but also a pleasure. He created us to eat, then hid all these diverse, creative flavors in foods that not only nourish, but delight us. But somewhere along the last century, we lost something. We became out of touch with the truth that in His wisdom, our Creator intended our bodies (His temple), to be nourished, and in being the most nourished, we would be the most delighted.
So we left the old paths, left behind true nourishment in exchange for convenience and saving some dollars (and therefore making some dollars), and we pursued in our Age of Technology shortcuts, fast-food to keep up with our fast lives, and we've ended up with hosts of modern fake foods and all manner of modern diseases. The irony is that we haven't saved much time or money when so many today find themselves inconvenienced in a hospital. It's a costly price to pay.
The good news is that the old paths are still there, waiting to be rediscovered. My dear friend, Renée DeGroot, is out to help people find them, rethink their philosophy of food, and live healthier, happier lives. She is the author of the book, Health for Godly Generations, and blog, Culinary Reformation. Both are good resources with lots of interesting insights and wisdom from her studies. In her own words from the blog on why she chose to name it Culinary Reformation:
Culinary: of or relating to the kitchen, cookery, and cuisine.Reformation: the act of abolishing errors and putting into a better form or condition.
All things having to do with food and the kitchen need to be renewed—purposefully established according to their value for our lives. This culinary reformation includes learning about old, traditional ways and incorporating them into our modern lives in a manner that promotes wellness with simplicity. ... Most of all, I want to see people cared for, healthy, and happy. That includes you, and I hope you’ll join me for this adventure!
I love food, and by food I don't mean a hot dog from the gas station. I mean real whole food, minimally processed, traditional, wisely and creatively prepared to delight the senses and nourish the whole body. Because real food is healthful, and also incredibly important, it tastes good! So I believe it's important to be educated about eating wisely, for health now, for future generations, all to the glory of God.
So study, then eat, and give a toast to real food and culinary reformations!
Cheers!
ak