The American Spectator

p> SLOW COOKERS br> Re: Marina Malenic’s Food for Thought : /p>

Thanks for the informative column on the Slow Cooking movement. It does not appear that those promoting it mention the root cause of these weight gains in the industrialized world. Could it be, in part, the lack of physical exercise? I don’t think it can all be blamed on food alone.

I am a member of the last generation who was “schooled,” in fact it was mandatory for girls to attend home economics classes in the 7th and 8th grade. One semester of sewing and one semester of “kitchen arts” for two consecutive years, a requirement in the State of California. Before High School graduation, another requirement was one full year (Senior) of general Home Economics, which included household management, checking accounts, furnishing, food budgets, decorating, etc. Every female student was required to take this class to graduate. How far we have come since then.

Although I was on the college preparatory track, the lessons I learned in those classes have served me well throughout my life. Simple things like handling the checkbook and basic cooking skills. Perhaps, we should change the term from “slow cooking” to “cooking from scratch,” which is the American term for this activity. I’ve always enjoyed cooking because of the creativity that can be involved with food preparation.

p>Thanks again for the article. br> — Edda Gahm br> Diamond Bar, California /p> p>