My Slow Food Movement

I have had a great summer of camping, mountain biking, hiking, swimming and long boarding. Best of all, I have been able to give my children some great experiences and memories. Life is beautiful.



What's coming to The Aimless Cook?

Slow Food. Last weekend, my friend had a farewell party before moving away to another city. I did something radical to some by giving them my microwave. I have never lived without a microwave since I was 9 years old when my parents bought this woodgrain monstrosity sporting dial controls and an analogue clock. I thought about the whole thing and realized that I really only use the microwave to reheat and defrost things. I might bake the odd potato or steam some vegetables, but other than that, it sits on the counter taking up space. Since I learned to cook real meals, I have had no real need for something that has become the one stop convenience appliance for heating up the pre-packaged crap that some test kitchen calls food.

The Slow Food movement is grabbing hold of my life as I look every day at what's happening to the way we eat as a society. We are a culture that is being indoctrinated on convenience and the perception that we just don't have enough time to enjoy the simple things in life anymore. What started for me as an observation of my effect on the environment through my buying habits has turned into something deeper. Who says I don't have time? We can be our worst enemies sometimes and unconsciously sabotage our own good intentions. All I've got to say is take a step back sometime and look at your life, and more importantly, relax.



Check out www.slowfood.com to get some information of what I'm talking about. In most cases, there is a huge amount of food being produced near you right now and readily available for you to take home and enjoy. Yet, we go to the grocery store and insist on buying apples flown in from New Zealand or buying Lunchables for our kids while the local deli has a fresher, preservative-free, more delicious assortment of locally produced meats and cheeses. Well, you get the idea. It's all about the way we're thinking, and as a result, the way we're buying.

So the show will be taking a deeper look at slow food as we take action in our lives and make more educated choices about what we eat and buy. We will be taking steps to reduce our waste by eliminating the take-out containers, buying more bulk, refilling existing containers when possible and generally being conscious of what we spend our money on.

Sorry for the long post, but I guess it's been 6 months, so I had a lot to say. Until next time, take care.

J

A Busy Week.

Since my little trip to Kensington last week, I have made 2 more videos, reconnected with famiy in the Philippines, planned a trip to the mountains and bought new a camera. Yes, I broke down and replaced my old Sony DSC W30 with a brand new Canon Powershot SX200 IS and its so much better. No more finicky selection wheel that switches modes by itself. I have been taking lots of photos, but I'm really waiting for a good opportunity to use it at night.

Cooking up some chicken adobo for a cooking video

The Youtube channel is doing well. I am still getting most of my viewers from Facebook, though I have been making good use of my YT friend list to promote from within the site to get more subscribers. Speaking of subscribers, I have 2 new ones: JoyMac13 and HANAFUBUKI. Thank you for your support! JoyMac13 is like my twin sister. Check out our channels and you'll see what I mean. HANAFUBUKI does some amazing videos of her walks with poetry and reading. Check her out for sure.

Portrait of Jumpei, Sushi Bar Zipang

The cool thing about the new camera is the wide angle lens that I'm not used to. Its great and I only wish that my camcorder did the same. Yes, I can take HD video with the Canon, but its MOV and I can't edit them in Pinnacle. I could convert, but its an extra step and just a pain.

Pho from Bolsa Restaurant, Calgary

Lunch with Sue and Cher

Tried out the Bolsa Restaurant in Calgary on Macleod Trail South for some food and conversation. Mostly talked about dating after divorce and how much of a crap shoot it can be. All I can say is that I'm tired of games at this age and I wish things were more straight forward. I guess at the same time though that I choose how its all gonna go down...right? Think I'll just take some time off and enjoy life with my family and friends.

Lunch at Fatburger with Telf

So, that brings me to this weekend. I am getting ready to do a little grocery shopping for my weekend with the kids and picking up ingredients for the cooking video: Okonomiyaki. I am also gonna start painting again, since I have the space and a big empty canvas. As for any road trips...we'll figure it out when we get there.

JoyMac13's youtube channel

HANAFUBUKI's youtube channel

Working...

So I've been working at this Japanese restaurant near my place for almost a month and a half. The decision to get another job was one of necessity. I needed the money, but mostly I wanted something to keep busy during the week and do something productive and rewarding. Yes, I could get a hobby, but I love cooking...and learning Japanese. So I was lucky enough to know someone at my day job that knew people in the city that ran a couple Japanese restos in the city. She talked to some people and presto! Here I am. Thanks, Miyuki. During my short time here, I have met new friends, learned a lot of Japanese and absorbed great cooking knowledge from some talented minds.

Jumpei and Tommy are making tonkatsu for the staff meal.

There's no real secret to great Japanese food. The basics are simple, yet the results are simply amazing. A great deal of care and effort are put into the most simple of dishes...love is what I call it. As an enthusiastic cook myself, I have always believed that preparing a meal should be an expression of love for the people you are cooking for. It should always be like this, since that care shows whether you're making tonkatsu or instant ramen.

Chawanmushi waiting for egg mixture before going into the steamer.

My boss, Nao san.

Back when I was 21, I used to work in a local bar and grill that served up the usual pizza and pub fare and I hated it. Mind you, I was still young and unskilled not looking past the next payday. I had no real visions, though I did have dreams. I just had no direction or plan. I can tell you now that I am older and starting over that I appreciate life. I have my health and 4 beautiful kids. I am pretty laid back and I stopped blaming life for things I could fix myself. Having problems, as I see it, are opportunities to make myself better. Trust me, you never stop learning. Why would you want to?

Jumpei's knives...well worn.

Shin san

Though I never meant this post to be some kind of motivational article, it seems to have turned out that way. To sum things up, I needed something to do to keep busy. I love cooking and learning Japanese. So I got a part time job at a Japanese restaurant. I learn Japanese, I learn to cook and I get paid. Win.