Good Food. Good Ingredients.
Fresh ingredients and simple pleasures: rediscovering the art of eating well without excess.
Good Food.
Good food has existed since humankind discovered fire. Hospitality and the culinary arts, however, are often credited to 18th-century France. Though the excesses of royal life contributed to the French Revolution, there are comparisons between Louis XVI’s court and society’s modern desire for a lavish lifestyle today. Enjoying nice things and having standards for what we eat does not need to be excessive—and it definitely should not get us beheaded.
Yet our need for nourishment can turn into the use of costly conveniences. The simplicity of food has, in many ways, been lost. Remember a few years ago when cauliflower became a “luxury item”? Cauliflower—the cruciferous vegetable naturally high in fiber and vitamin B—should never cost $6.99 a head at any grocery store.
Good Ingredients
A good meal relies on one thing—not the ability to cook, although the artistry of a chef should never be underestimated. Rather, a good meal is composed of fresh ingredients. These can come from your local grocery store, farmers’ markets, or even your own backyard. Choosing ingredients carefully can provide the nourishment your heart, soul, and body need.
The protein in your meal should typically be the most costly item. If you are fortunate enough to live on a farm and raise your own livestock, that is wonderful. However, if you live in a more urban area, consider establishing a relationship with your local fishmonger and butcher. You can also seek out a community garden plot to grow your own produce—if you have a green thumb.
Thankfully, I have my go-to vendors throughout the cities I have lived in for the freshest seafood, meats, and produce. Several times a week, I visit my usual sources for fresh vegetables and eggs. Establishing relationships with hardworking local farmers is a nourishing gift in and of itself.
