#FOOD/What Delicious Dish Are You Making?

We often underate the benefits of a healthy balanced diet. It seems like many societies have limited food to an expression of their religious belief; a means of worshiping their deities or a show of opulence and work of art.

People forget that ever before the existence of those systems, humans had existed and survived on what the land produced. Past generations made food a means of healing and preventing illnesses.

The recent news that highlighted lack of vitamins among majority of the population, and blaming it on high cost of healthy options compared to fast foods left me scratching my head. I sometimes question the purpose of some of the information we receive.

Some poor choices may have resulted from the poor family structure and lack of discipline that younger generations have inherited.

#Basic staples

In every society, there are some food that are considered staple food. Food that a family never lacks in the pantry. In the West, that would be potato. Most know it as the Irish potato because of the history behind it. In 1590, it is believed that the Spanish introduced the crop to Ireland. By the 17th Century it had become an accepted crop, and was a staple food for the poor in the 18th Century. It changed the society as a source of income among the poor, being that it could be grown in a small space and had a great nutritional benefit [World Potato Congress 2022/WPC2022 Ireland]].

#Benefit of Potato

The benefit of having potato is the many delicious meals you can prepare with it.

It can be baked with the skin, roasted, cut into shapes as potato wedges, made into chips, mashed or potato cake.

Add side dishes such as assorted vegetables, proteins with spiced sauces and stews.

A pack of potato can be bought for a pound and with other things thrown in could make two to three servings.

Most vegetables cost less than a pound in the shops.

Chicken thighs and drumsticks cost less than three pounds even in some of the top end supermarkets.

We should go back to what our ancestors knew how to do best, fighting for our health and survival.

#Enjoy cooking and Healthy Living

I believe it costs less to buy fresh and cook. It is also more enjoyable getting the children involved in the preparation. Most have never seen fresh chicken and can't tell what goes into the food they eat. It is a sad way for humanity to have so much time for pleasure but none for what truly matters, such as health.

Let's be people kin to prevent the deterioration of our Health and Social Care services by doing something to promote good health and wellbeing.

May this year bring great hope.