Right Eating: The Slow Food Movement
The Slow Food Movement is one of my favorite new crusades, although it’s not exactly “new”. Our IO Spa Yoga and Shop concept was even inspired by the movement. We wanted to be the Slow Wellness business where products and service offerings reflect sustainability, natural ingredients and care.
Conceptually, the practice of Slow Food has been around since humans first became a civilized people: eating food made with consciousness and care, from only local and seasonal sources. (In essence, it’s the opposite of fast food.) The phrase “Slow Food”, however, is a relatively new one.
In California, we are lucky to have a large variety of local and seasonal fruits and veggies year round. Not to mention the plethora of local organic farmers and vendors who raise their animals ethically for meat and dairy. So it’s not much of a hardship to eat according to the Slow Food rules.
Buddhists call it “Right Eating”.
Unfortunately, unless you have a lot of time on your hands to research what’s in season and organic, it can be intimidating to devote yourself to Right Eating. When was the last time you were at the grocery store and bought okra? Or persimmons?
There are several Bay Area organic vegetable delivery companies that make Right Eating incredibly easy. Getting your groceries delivered to your house sounds pretty lazy and decadent. But it’s actually a great deal.
They literally drop a box of amazing, seasonal, local, organic and actually quite diverse veggies and fruits at your doorstep once a week. You don’t have to do any of the work to figure out what’s in season, and sometimes they even include recipes and suggestions on how to use your produce.
There’s a freedom in not having to decide what to buy, although with some delivery companies, you can manage your orders to detail. Two of the biggest box delivery companies are Planet Organics and Farm Fresh to You. It’s easy to sign up and requires virtually no effort on your part once you get it going.
If you’re interested, there are a lot of great books on the subject, favorites being “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan and his new one, “In Defense of Food“.
Slow down and enjoy,
Amy
17 Nov 2009
S. Darland
Hello, Sparkling Amy!
Did you know that OM OF NM, one of your favorite suppliers, joined the Slow Food movement in Turin, Italy (it’s founding home) just after they started seeking members — and have spent 16 years getting ready and making a true classic slow food: rare, traditional-style balsamic vinegar.
Goods blogstering.
Thanks.
LOVE
Dad
17 Nov 2009
S. Darland
Forgot to say: our balsamic has a website at http://www.organicbalsamic.com.
You and IO are in it too!
Dad