Julie and Julia

A few weeks ago I went to the cinema to see some American film, which was fun but I can't remember the title. However, the film I did remember was the trailer for the new Meryl Streep film: Julie and Julia. It came out last week in the States, and is coming out on 11th September in the UK. I think that the French and Hungarian public will have to wait even longer. It is based on a book and a blog. The blog is that of Julie Powell ( juliepowell.blogspot.com ) and the biography of Julia Childs a well known American chef and food writer. I read some things from the Guardian about what the film has sparked and one of the themes is that we are not spending much time in the kitchen and too much of our food is processed. I would agree. When I go to the UK I am always astounded by how little 'real' food can be purchased and how many 'meals of the shelf' are available.

Personally, I spend at least an hour in the kitchen every evening making food. I like to know what I am eating although I do love McDonalds and Burger King and the like, in moderation. Food is not just to keep us all alive, to nourish us, it is also to give us new tastes to savour. In France in elementary schools there is usually a week: La Semaine du goût, which encourages kids to try new tastes and textures in food.

Thinking about food brought back to mind the film about the food industry giant: Monsanto and the documentary about how they are doing all they can to buy up all the world stock of seed!! Yes, really!! You can see it here:

http://www.twilightearth.com/environment-archive-2/the-world-according-to-monsanto-full-documentary/

Hope the link works or just type in Monsanto tv documentary. I went to Julie Powell's page and left the link hoping it might have a larger response!! But the post has been removed by the author!!!!!!