Sometimes New Isn't Better

I am of the belief that food is better than it has ever been - more flavors are coming together; more styles of cooking and more recipes are being shared than ever thanks to television, radio, and internet; more foods are available than ever before. At the same time, though, food has taken a hit, using preservatives and artificial add-ins never seen 100 years ago. Varieties of fruits and vegetables are actually diminishing, with fewer species being cultivated in favor of the species that travel well and sell to the masses. To top it all off, modern cooks have forgotten some of the things that our ancestors knew and did every day. So what to do?

1) Don't be afraid to frequent local farmer's markets and to pick out the heirloom varieties that can be found. Also consider adding heirloom varieties to your own garden or orchard.

2) Take advantage of your information sources: your own grandparents and great-grandparents and their cook books and recipes that have been handed down through the generations. Ask for favorite recipes from your grandparents' childhood and accomplish two goals: connecting with your family roots and preserving old styles of cooking.

3) Remember and use things that our grandmothers knew. Things like using as many different colors of foods as you can at every meal. Food colors actually indicate different nutrients, and by incorporating various colors, you have greatly increased your chances at getting a meal that is well balanced in vitamins and minerals. Work in your different food groups too. Families in the 1950s would have eaten a salad of lettuce leaves topped by a pear half and a dollop of cottage cheese - three colors, three food groups, surprisingly well rounded in flavors, textures, and nutrition.

So pull out the family recipes, check out the colors and textures on your dinner plate, and challenge yourself to fill your plate with all local and heirloom varieties. New isn't always better, and moving forward by bringing along the best of the past will create a golden age of food!