Cooking and Giving

Why do we cook in the first place, aside from the important fact that we need to nourish our bodies? Seriously, think about it. Everyone must have their own reason. Mine, well, is a way to demostrate love to others. I know it sounds quirky, but when I cook, some part of me goes into the food.

Our hands are the most important utensils in the kitchen. Therefore, it is important that we wash them thoroughly before we start dealing with food; nevetheless, they come with a factory defect: they dry. When the epidermis layer inevitably dries, it flakes and falls in order to bring out the fresh skin from underneath (like deshedding). This is constantly happening all over our bodies, but sometimes we cannot see it, so unless you wear gloves in your house to cook, part of your skin (to say the least) is going in the dish. I can imagine the state of disgustedness you must be in right now, but believe me when I tell you that only in the United States there is a hygiene obsession and a germ fear for everything. Sure other countries wash their hands too, but they don't take it to the extreme and for centuries they have been fine.

I remember as a kid, I used to make and eat mud cakes with my sister. Our hands were filthy and full of germs; we only rinsed them with tap water. I was not a child that would easily get sick. My immune system is strong because I was constantly putting it to work and because I ate healthily. In my hometown back in Mexico consuming fruit and vegetables was cheaper than meat, so this factor also helped.
I find cooking a wonderful way to express one's love and a great vessel to give of ourselves. So next time you cook, think about what you are giving ... just don't tell anyone because they might not appreciate it as much as you do. Remain curious my friends!