Food As Culture
by Alexandra Jamieson, CHHC

Every culture on the planet defines itself using the same definitions: what language do we speak? What clothes do we wear? What foods do we eat?

One wonderful way to integrate a culture lesson with meal times is to create a themed menu that falls on a holiday, or coincides with a seasonal food used by a distinct cuisine. We love Mexican food in our house, and it couldn’t be easier to prepare.

The Burrito Bar
Set out warmed flour or corn tortillas and small bowls of the following, buffet style:

Heated vegetarian refried beans
Cooked pinto or kidney beans
Diced tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Minced onion
Guacamole
Fresh tomato salsa
Shredded soy cheese
Black olives
Dairy free sour cream

Everyone gets a plate and starts with one tortilla. Everyone can fill their burrito with whatever they want and go back for seconds!

Alexandra Jamieson, HealthyChefAlex.com
Alex is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and health supportive chef. Her upcoming cookbook “The Great American Detox Diet” will be published in June, 2005 by Rodale and was inspired by her fiancé Morgan Spurlock’s experience in the award winning documentary Super Size Me. For more information about her health counseling program and cook book, go to www.healthychefalex.com or write to her at alex_jamieson@yahoo.com.