So.... What About Food?

Eating and cooking is only a small part of the totality of what food means. Actually, "food" means so many things to so many people that it's almost meaningless. Everybody views it through their own prism.

The title is deliberately vague. It's a bit of several questions. What is it about food that makes us [insert feeling]. What about real food? What is "food", in light of what is available to us now. Give it a go. How many different meanings can you see in those three simple words?

As for me, I'm currently studying for a degree in food science, going back to school after years of flying helicopters in the Marines and working in manufacturing, including some time leading a 60+ person manufacturing team, as a quality engineer, and buying about $44 million a year worth of chemicals. It was interesting work, but not what I really loved. I love food, but don't know enough to break into the field. With a mechanical engineering degree, food science is the right mix of science and food.

This blog is a mix of things. One part is a "travelogue" of our experience with a half-share from a local CSA. Another part is musings on food, food science, food policy, food politics, and food safety. Hmmm, what else? Yeah, pretty much anything food related.

My blogroll might give you some ideas about some of the things I like to read regularly. Some is "foodp*rn", like Tastespotting. Just reading through is dangerous, because you just want so much. Some is safety or policy related (sometimes self evident, but not always.) Some is just downright fun. Cakewrecks, This Is Why You're Fat, Steve Don't Eat That. Guilty pleasures, but darn fun.

Enjoy. I'll try to keep this interesting and light. I know that I get burrs in my britches occasionally, but love a good dialogue. I just won't countenance ignorance or rudeness. If you think that you know everything, you know nothing. I know that I don't know much, but I want to learn.