Jain Spirit 2002 10 No 12

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 35

Slow Food
CWWW.DINODIA.COM
bacon and cheese), the medical industry is stressing the value of vegetables, light meals and eating dinner early. Why would anyone choose to eat otherwise? Could it be as simple as Schlosser suggests? "Fast food is now so commonplace that it has acquired an air of inevitability, as though it were somehow unavoidable, a fact of modern life." Advertising, marketing and our hectic lifestyle have literally driven us into this unhealthy approach to eating.
Ancient knowledge often carries a wisdom that is uncovered only after modern foolishness has created a disaster. The knowledge of medicinal herbs was persecuted by the Catholics
as the work of the devil and later It takes a long time to grow and prepare spices
virtually wiped out by the
pharmaceutical industry. Plastic energy. In Ayurveda, A Life Of Balance, author Maya Tiwari substitutes for naturally decomposing materials are now says, "Foods are not inert. The depth and density of their clogging our landfills. On the other hand, ancient energy invariably correspond to the level of our internal energy. meditation practices are now returning as tools for Foods that are grown naturally, without the use of chemicals everything from spiritual awakening to pain management. and without undue processing, are the optimum This is a crucial time for Jains trying to maintain choice... Canned, frozen or chemically-processed and fast traditional eating practices. Others may perceive that a foods are noxious to our health. They are dead foods, devoid of vegetarian meal prepared with love and eaten slowly at a any innate energy."
reasonable hour, is foolish and a 'waste of time'. But What has this fast food culture done to our lives? In Fast perhaps it could prove to be the salvation of the species. The Food Nation, author Eric Schlosser suggests that the fast food unbelievably cruel and wasteful practices of slaughtering industry has transformed the world as we know it - from animals in order to supply the fast food industry have unsightly franchises dotting sprawling suburbs to a spectacular devastated rain forests, destroyed third world economies rise in obesity (fast food could also be called fat food). Why and created vast amounts of waste. It is in direct opposition spend $5 on fresh produce, two hours preparing it, 1/2 hour to ahimsa. The huge increase in the consumption of meat is cleaning up, when you can get a McDonald's Happy Meal and responsible for many health problems. Perhaps it's time for a free Star Wars collectible for 99 cents only? Real income in
a global advertising campaign for vegetables! the US has steadily decreased in the last 30 years, so mothers Do you remember being told to chew your food slowly? who used to spend the afternoon, like my Indian friend, Never talk with your mouth full? Always allow a half-hour preparing food for the family, now have to work late. After an
rest after eating? Believe it or not, these are now exhausting day it is much easier to bring home a Pizza Hut instructions given to people who are suffering from stress. pizza. Since most advertising relentlessly target children, the Ulcers, anxiety disorders, headaches and more are being kids are much happier with some Taco Bell than they are with treated by all kinds of drugs that can have severe side Mom's sautéed greens and mashed potatoes.
effects. Often, people get caught in a Catch 22. They feel Practising Jains have been spared much of the fallout so awful from their stress related disorders that they either created by fast food. Vegetarian selections are few, although in don't feel like cooking or they need to reward themselves - an effort to capture the youth market, even McDonald's now
where else but at Burger King where you can have it your offer a veggie burger. By making it a point to eat before way'. Taking the time to prepare, enjoy and slowly digest sundown, many Jains' eating habits differ from the late night your meal is the best medicine. binging common in our workaholic culture. Even as more and more people dive into their deep fried Kentucky Fried Chicken
Lavinia Plonka is a freelance writer based in North Carolina, and Wendy's heart attack on a plate (a_-pound hamburger with
USA
September - November 2002. Jain Spirit 33