Everyday Systems

Hi everyone,

Some of you may have discovered this already, but I thought I'd share anyway, here is a free e-cook book the UK government are distributing in an attempt to get kids to eat healthier and learn to cook real food.

It's aimed at kids, but could appeal to anyone who wants to cook some basic, easy meals. I think the recipes included are all quite logical, and seem to be exactly the kind of meals I was taught to cook as a kid (and then later figured out how to veganise). I was happy not to see a mention of the word "snack" though there are dessert recipes (old favourites like apple crumble)

you can download it here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_171713

p.s. I don't work for the UK government, I just thought this was cool and seems to have a real food, No S compatible approach to cooking

That's interesting. I've read in several sources that our problems with food re: obesity and poor health could be solved in part by people cooking more at home. I'm assuming "they" mean from scratch, not using packaged and processed foods. At least I hope they do!

There is a series of articles in the New York Times about getting kids to eat well. Many of the comments are as interesting as the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/healt ... thspecial2

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/healt ... intro.html

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/1 ... thspecial2

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/2 ... n-nuggets/

There's also a new series written by Martha Rose Shulman called "Recipes for Health." It focuses on one food weekly and there are a variety of recipes using that food. So far, most recipes are vegetarian or vegan and might be taken from her newest cookbook, Mediterranean Harvest which is a vegetarian Mediterranean cookbook.

New York Times wrote:The easiest and most pleasurable way to eat well is to cook. Recipes for Health offers recipes with an eye towards empowering you to cook healthy meals every day. Produce, seasonal and locally grown when possible, and a well-stocked pantry are the linchpins of a good diet, and accordingly, each week’s recipes will revolve around a particular type of produce or a pantry item. This is food that is vibrant and light, full of nutrients but by no means ascetic, fun to cook and a pleasure to eat.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/heal ... index.html

http://www.martha-rose-shulman.com/principles.htm

I will have to say that I'm getting tired of "eating for health." I'm leaning towards eating real food that tastes good and just happens to be healthy, too.