What You Need To Know About Slow Food

On March 20, 1986, the first McDonald's in Rome opened its doors in Piazza di Spagna. The employees of the Valentino atelier, who created high fashion in the elegant Via Gregoriana palazzo on the same square, were not at all happy about this. The famous fashion designer did not think long and sued the American network for "constant noise and unbearable smell of fried food ".

Valentino was not the only one who did not like the fast food restaurant opened in the center of Rome . In those days, several thousand Italians protested: they talked about the dangers of fast food and about the Americanization of culture. This is how the slow food movement was born .

Food without haste

The slow food philosophy opposes the concept of fast food and is based on 3 main principles.

• Purely. This thesis refers to the production of environmentally friendly products that do not harm either people or nature.

• Fair. Producers should receive decent wages, and consumers should buy products at an affordable price.

• Deliciously. The point is quite subjective, however, it is not difficult to guess that a cheeseburger in the coordinate system of slow food followers is not considered tasty. Preference is given to traditional local dishes prepared from seasonal products .

Let's learn more about how to incorporate the principles of mindful slow eating into your life.

Use organic products

You can take care of the environment not only by using clean household chemicals and reusable packaging, but also by buying products in the supermarket. When choosing products, give preference to those with special labeling: "leaf of life" for products that are safe for nature, or a green triangle for packaging made from recycled materials.

In advance, inquire about the labeling, which manufacturers can use only after independent verification according to certain criteria (*). They really have power, unlike the inscription "environmentally friendly product ", which has nothing to do with it and may turn out to be nothing more than a marketing ploy upon inspection.

Speaking of eco-products, it is important to understand one more point: uncertified goods bought on the market second-hand can hardly be included in this category either. Imagination, of course, paints a positive picture, where a friendly grandmother grows ecologically clean cucumbers, strawberries and cabbage in her garden. What are the certificates here.

However, unfortunately, no one can guarantee that vegetables, fruits and berries were grown without the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers that can be found in any garden store. And even if the grandmother herself did not use anything like that, there is no guarantee that the neighbors in the country will adhere to eco-principles. They can water the beds with herbicides, which flow through the groundwater to the neighboring territory.

Cook at home more often

This item is not the easiest, given the frantic pace of life in the metropolis. Still, the philosophy of slow food emphasizes: simple homemade food is the foundation of healthy and conscious nutrition . Instead of running for coffee before work, nibbling on a croissant on the way, we suggest that you start planning food preparation .

Literally 15 minutes in the morning is enough to organize a simple but tasty breakfast, save yourself from the hustle and bustle, and your stomach from fast food. A pre-assembled lunchbox will satisfy your hunger at work in time and save you not only from unhealthy snacks during the day, but also from overeating in the evening. And it is difficult to imagine a dinner with the family without home-made food . It is not at all necessary to prepare culinary masterpieces every day, simple food made from simple ingredients is the main mantra of slow food . Cooking cream soup from vegetables or pasta does not take much time, but you will know exactly what the food on your plate consists of.

Enjoy your meal

The philosophy of slow food promotes conscious, unhurried consumption of food , during which it is important not only to satisfy hunger, but also to enjoy the taste, aroma and appearance of dishes. The greater the pleasure from food , the greater the desire to prepare healthy dishes and be responsible for the choice of ingredients.

Why not put your smartphone away, turn off the series in the background, and even the book is better left in the bedroom. Treat eating as a fulfilling activity that prevents multitasking. Concentrate completely on the moment: look at the food , appreciate the good presentation, feel the aroma of the spices, taste each bite and do not rush to swallow the whole portion at once, even if you are very hungry.