What's Cooking
Fast-food alternatives
A basket of organically grown fruits and vegetables.
Have you ever heard a Jarvisite say “Crap, my stomach is grumbling, better get some food into it”? Ever hear them complain when their three dollar meal from McDonalds or the cafeteria is not pleasing enough to their taste buds? Have you ever stopped to think of the long term health effects of the ‘quick fix’ of fast, fatty food?
A 2004 study by the Library of Parliament, on the epidemic of obesity, stated that there were almost seven million overweight adults and close to five million more who were obese. The study goes on to say that diet is the main cause of obesity.
We, as students, need to become more aware of what we are putting into our bodies. Eating calorie loaded, vitamin and nutrient deficient take-out and cafeteria food is an unhealthy and irresponsible decision, given that we have so many options.
Cost is consistently given as one of the reasons why students choose cheap, fast food. However, the most inexpensive and by far the most engaging kitchens in Toronto are the ones in each of our homes. When I asked Steve Kim, a Grade 12 student, if he cooks at home he responded by asking,
“Does microwaving a TV dinner or boiling water for Mr. Noodles count?”
He was not the only one. Unfortunately, many students rarely think about preparing their own meals at home.
Going out for lunch is not necessarily a bad thing at all. We fall into a trap, however, when we grow to depend on these things and go out to fast food restaurants all the time. Planning out meals at home to take into lunch, or even adapting leftovers, is a good skill to have, it saves money, is generally healthier than going out and you can pull it out of a magic bag when you need to impress a date. With very little practice every one can make delicious meals at home to bring into school; its just helps to know a few tips.
1) When cooking virtually everything, timing is key. Keep in mind when you started something and how long it will take to finish. This is the easiest way to screw up a meal. If you throw carrots into boiling water before you through in potatoes you’re going to end up with orange mush and raw potatoes, so be careful!
2) Don’t be afraid. The thing that is most daunting to teenagers when they go to cook is that they assume they will fail. If you are afraid and second guess yourself, you will screw up. Ever been to a BBQ and had your steak torn to shreds with grill marks everywhere as opposed to a perfect steak with grill marks on 90 degree angles? This is because the cook doesn’t trust himself to cook the steak and flips it constantly to see if it’s burning
and pokes at it to see if it is cooked yet.
3) EAT! Taste is what people are really looking for in food and, low and behold, if you don’t taste it while you cook it, you don't know what you’re putting on the plate. One of the most undervalued things in cooking is seasoning (salt and pepper.) They are vital in completing any dish and you will only know how much to use if you taste. Keeping those tips in mind, the most economic, flavourful and nutritious food one can buy is locally grown produce
that is in season. There is research to suggest that not only is locally grown food fresher and better for you, but it is also less likely to be contaminated. Local and seasonal foods are full of rich flavour and texture because of their growing conditions and lack of preservatives. As Lynn Crawford, Executive Chef of the Four Seasons New York, says, “You are what you eat, so take control of you destiny; don’t leave it in the hands of others!”
JargOnline 2006 - 2007 