VOTE TODAY! The latest poll commissioned for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests that Senator Jean Carnahan and former Representative Jim Talent are in a dead heat; each has the support of 46 percent of the electorate. Your vote can be the difference. Control of the United States Senate hangs in the balance, so get out there and take advantage of your rights.
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Last Sunday, a friend who lives upstairs offered me a piece of pie. I wasn’t the least bit surprised-she kindly presents my roommates and me food on a near-daily basis. I love her delicious cookies and pastries that put the Cheesecake Factory to shame. But last weekend, I realized she was not merely distributing leftovers. Rather, the girl was handing out specially prepared foodstuffs she had never expected to consume herself. In short, she doesn’t just love to eat; she loves to cook as well.
I can’t blame her. Perhaps the reason I most enjoy living in Millbrook (aside from the charm, humor, and football prowess of my roommates, of course) is that, in my own apartment, I cook. Rather than depending on the “fake money” of my meal plan, as I did during my first three years at Washington University, I now make “real food.” Vodka Penne. Honey Mustard Chicken. Beef Fajitas. Teriyaki Salmon Salad. The list goes on, and grows with each passing week.
There are many pleasures of cooking (says Yoni Cohen, momentarily turned Julia Child).
First, the food simply tastes better. I can’t rationally explain or justify this phenomenon, but it does. If you have ever cooked without grievous error even a pan of brownies you know what I am talking about.
Second, dinners now secure a sense of accomplishment. Roughly 30 minutes of preparation, 50 minutes of consumption, and 10 minutes of cleanup now leave me proud and consequently better prepared to succeed in personal and academic life. No joke-I’ve found myself more efficient in my schoolwork after an hour in the kitchen.
Third, an ability to prepare several good meals is an important social skill. I hosted my first dinner party this year, a great success, and just this weekend curried the admiration of my girlfriend.
Fourth, cooking your own food saves a lot of money. I’ve yet to calculate how much, but given the exorbitant costs of a meal plan at WU, I expect and have heard that the benefits can be hundreds of dollars.
This is not to suggest, however, that I find great fault with Bon Appetite. Cafeteria food (save perhaps Center Court) is well prepared. After visiting several other universities, I have no doubt that we have better-tasting food on this campus than almost any other in the United States. Rather, that I so enjoy preparing my own food-even when a convenient and acceptable alternative is present-is further testament to the benefits of nutritional independence.
I am, however, a busy student like you. Often, I do not have time to prepare a full meal. Yet it is frequently during these high-stress periods that I find cooking most enjoyable. I invite a friend over and together we make dinner.
Afterwards, I’m relaxed and better prepared to slowly work through my assignments. Other times, I succumb to circumstance. I admit that I always keep a microwaveable pizza or two in the freezer. And I often frequent Small Group Housing’s dining facility. But on the whole, such options are exercised few and far between. They remain more the exception than the rule.
Several other benefits to my newfound hobby come to find. I’m a much bigger fan of George Foreman than I ever was during his career as a boxer; his grill makes a knockout breast of chicken. I spend more time in my apartment than I might have otherwise. By necessity, I’ve learned to maintain and monitor my vegetable inventory. I’ve also forced myself to become better about managing money.
And managing family. I recently had my brother over for dinner. As a vegan, he frequently has difficulty finding campus food to his liking. But in my apartment, I was able to specially prepare a meal that would suit his preferences. Ditto for the folks. I’ll soon be on their good side. Mom and Dad have already requested that I prepare them a meal over Thanksgiving break. I’m happy to oblige. I think I’ll serve pie for dessert.