Twinkies, Slurpees, Healthcare, and the Joy of Cooking

First Lady Michelle Obama is set to launch a campaign to fight childhood obesity. Recent figures state that roughly 1/3 of American children are obese. Between the lure of Playstation video games that draw children to the TV screen and away from outdoor activity, and the convenience and low cost of a McDonalds Dollar Menu, coupled with the fact that parents are busier than ever and are finding it difficult to cook healthy meals, it is not hard to see why there is a problem with childhood obesity. "TheRoot.com," a multimedia company offering African-American views, is running an article showing data that the epidemic is even more severe in the black community. With many urban public schools cutting back on sports programs due to cost cutting, and the fact that most urban communities are ill-suited to provide an accessible and affordable outlet for physical activity, there's no question that structural problems present significant challenges to the long-term health of urban youth.

In a previous blog entry, I discussed multiple facets that collectively make our healthcare system unaffordable to millions of Americans; remove anti-trust exemption, permit purchasing of plans across state lines, tort reform, a gov't subsidized high risk health insurance plan for those with added health risks (similar to gov't flood plain insurance), education reforms for legal and medical study costs, increase usage of generic brand medications -- all of these things can help reduce costs. We can add, decreasing the risks of obesity to that list. According to the latest numbers -- obesity is costing our healthcare system $147 billion a year. To create a sustainable healthcare model, one that is affordable for generations to come, every facet that is contributing to escalating costs must be addressed. It is perfect timing that Michelle Obama is about to launch this important initiative.

It is time to put down the twinkie and slurpee and pick up the joy of cooking.

You've heard me say before that a particularly God-given attribute that makes us so very human is the power to create. All around us, we see the results of this powerful gift. Cooking is another byproduct of our creative abilities. There is something fundamental and pure to me about starting with a pot: adding extra virgin olive oil along with a little more of my own olive oil mix that has been flavored over time with crushed red pepper flake, and add butter, chopped onion, chopped mushroom, and chopped garlic and simmer a few minutes... and then add balsamic vinegar and red wine and anchovy, and simmer a few more minutes, and then add tomato paste and chicken stock, and diced and crushed tomatoes, and add brown sugar and salt and pepper and red pepper flake and various italian seasonings, and allow to cook for at least a half an hour, and then add to the sauce the handcrafted meatballs created with care, and allow the flavors of the meatballs to meld with the tomato sauce for several more minutes... serve it up over pasta, with fresh made garlic bread, and a glass of red wine...

When enjoying a wonderfully tasty meal like this -- created by your own hands and for the pleasure of family and friends and for you -- you wonder why restaurants and fast food joints remain in business. We have the ability to create amazing dishes in our own home, and through cooking create an atmosphere of working together and dialogue. It is a wonderful gift, indeed.

The joy of cooking is one of my most favorite and simple pleasures in life that I look forward to every day.

"You can find your way across this country using burger joints the way a navigator uses stars." - Charles Kuralt

Peace

Jeremy