It seems like there's a backlash against the speed of modern culture. More and more in Japan I'm seeing the media supporting slow food, simple pleasures, handmade things. I'm sure Japan is just following the trend the world has started.
The slow food movement started it all in Italy, but now we have SOLE food (sustainable, organic, local and ethical), LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability), crafting hobbies evidenced by MAKE: and CRAFT: magazines, and more people doing it for themselves.
I am very interested in locavorean foods, particularly when I can find organic and local combined. I'm trying to cut out the middleman (and all the additives and preservatives) and make my own food from scratch more often. Not only is it tastier, but it's so much healthier. Fresh bread, fresh pasta, more vegetables from within a 150 km radius - yum!
And here I am at the end of a busy day of my slow life. I made some earrings to wear to the Australia Society ball on Friday, finished grinding bones and spreading them on a board for Cennino's Apprentice, and we've just enjoyed a meal of homemade soup and freshly baked bread.
Of course I am also participating in a four-way IM with my friends - one of whom is making polenta for the first time and getting advice as she goes. Even in our slow life, we use the Internet to communicate across town and around the world.
Do you recall that the bar-owner Bott wife called polenta Tyrolean cement?
I know "slow life" is reconsidereing. I don't like hear and use the word "busy", but I sometimes envy people who use "busy". "busy" hears like "I have full life". So I seek full life with free and relaxing. It seemes to be difficult for my generation.
I was wondering whay you were doing so much baking recently! Im in a similar frame of mind at the moment.... I buy local produce at the markets, but i still need to learn more about what is in season and whats not. I try to buy organic, and at least some of each shopping trip is spent in the organic store. When i get more money, all of it will be in organic stores. And the organic wines, at $16 a pop are reasonable, and the bonus is no headache whatsoever.
The Tyrolean cement comment made me laugh! Combine it with mozzarella cheese and nothing but a good soak is going to shift it!