Dominant Discourses in America

      When discussing any topic, there's always a discourse. A discourse is a discussion about a topic, with unwritten rules on what can be said, and who can say it. The dominant discourse is the idea or person that is agreed upon by most to be "right". These discourses change over time. Right now the dominant discourse for food is saying that it's either good for you, or bad for you. The people that are published most in the media for this are doctors, politicians, college professors, and "health food" leaders.
       "The draft version of the federal government’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines, which will be formally released in December, identifies obesity as the nation’s greatest public-health threat. It also notes the relationship of fast food (and physical inactivity) to unhealthy weight gain and emphasizes the importance of plant-based foods in the diet." (New York Times: Doctor's orders- Eat Well to Be Well) This quote is almost perfect to show the dominant discourse. It has who can talk about food. Which in this case is the government. It has what's being said about food. That it can cause obesity, or if you eat  vegetables you'll be okay. Which are some of the main ideas in the dominant discourse today.
    There are two main problems in the food industry that people think need to be changed. These problems are that people are eating foods that have no health benefit, and food that is unsafe. These problems are basically the frontrunners of the dominant discourse because the government acknowledges them, and is attempting to fix them. The senate now has a bill to pass that would put stricter regulations on food, that would make food safer. To address unhealthy foods, there has been many anti-fast food campaigns. When talking about food, this is what people want changed.
    There is a lot of talk today about food. It's basically all the same conversation repeated using different wording. "People eat too much unhealthy food, our food is not safe, and we need a reform in our diets to eat more healthy foods." That is the dominant discourse right now. Without a doubt that will change soon, but for now we can listen to the doctors and politicians talk.

My Families Foodways

  There are different customs in different generations.  That doesn't change when talking about food. My generation eats differently my parents, and my parents generation eats differently then their parents. But as time goes by we are becoming increasingly similar in foodways. Why? Because foodways among the general public change. When a lot of people are doing something, or eating one way, others assimilate. So right now, my foodways are very similar to my parents. Either one of us could be caught at McDonald's for lunch, or at subway getting a five dollar footlong. And our dinner foodways are pretty much the same too, considering my parents cook. In general we influence each others foodways, and that is what make them so similar.
   If time were to be rewinded thirty or so years, there would be a lot of differenced between my parents foodways and my own. My grandparents were not big on going out for food, or even ordering in. They always had to have cooked their own meals. And it was always my grandma cooking, never my grandfather. Which just shows how things change over time, about how now men are expected to cook and do things things that were once considered "woman's work".  So as time changes, the foodways of a generation can too.
   Overall, my foodways, compared to those of my parents generation are not that different now. But in ten years from now, those foodways can be completely different. It will be all about what foods are trending. I know my foodways will change, but that there will probably be some influence from my parents, and through that, even my grandparents. There's a lot of different ways to look at, and think about food, and over time those ideas change, and so will the major discourse about food.

Post #3- My fridge

Fast Food Vs. Green Markets

         There are many successful fast food chains in America, and around the world. That's because almost everybody, including me, eats there. Why? Because their food is quick to obtain, affordable, and advertised everywhere. Think about it, if I were to write: "I'm lovin it", I bet you can tell me which fast food chain's slogan that is. (It was McDonald's if you actually didn't know). But if I were to ask, "where's the nearest farmer's market?", most people wouldn't be able to answer. I know I wouldn't. And that’s cause our culture doesn't really care about where they're food is from, and just that it's there. Food isn't sacred to people, it's just a commodity.

    The reason that farmers markets aren't as popular as fast food chains is because of the way people live. A lot of things at farmer markets you need to prepare yourself, while fast food you pay and your food is fried quick and served. And at fast food restaurants, the food is affordable. People now a days are always in a rush, they'll eat what's readily available. In fact the two main answers that I got when I asked, "Why did you chose Wendy's to eat?” Were that it was there and it was quick. Which shows that people aren’t going because of the food's benefits or distinctive taste, it was the easy access to the food.

     Like I said before, you'll find me at a fast food restaurant like fifty times more often then at a farmer's market, and I have no better reason then anyone else. I don't exactly like that, but that’s just the way it is. Right now I have no intention of changing that. If I were asked if a farmers market was a better source of food then a fast food chain I would agree. If I were asked which one is my source of food, the answer definitely would not be the same.

Thoughts About Food, Post #1

      Food is the second most important thing in the world, behind water. Food for the most part is under-appreciated. I mean people have their favorite foods, and foods they don't like, but not many people, at least in America see food as sacred. They take it for granted. I know that I do. I treat every meal, like just another meal, when I should be treating it as a gift. I mean considering all the hunger in the world, maybe those who have a good amount of food should be guilty. When you go to McDonald's just think, "I can get 5 cheeseburgers, but what can a kid in africa get?" A bowl of rice. Maybe. Sometimes people take things too lightly and food is something thats not cherished enough in the middle and upper class. 

     When it comes to the average food I eat, I don't have any general priorities. It depends on the situation. Like if I dont have a lot of time to eat, like at lunch, I want something that's quick to get, that way I have time to sit down and eat it. But at dinner, my priority shifts to the quality of the meal, because theres a longer time span to prepare and consume it. Which is why during lunch I eat more fast food, and sandwiches, because it's quick. For dinner I like more balanced meals, which just naturally turn out healthier. Taste is never really an issue for me because I like a wide variety of tastes. I prioritize by time and taste, when maybe I should by health benefit. But I don't really gain weight, so I usually don't think about how unhealthy something is for me. As I get older, I believe my priorities will change and I'll eat differently. But for now I'm good just the way I am.

      Everybody has typical meals, and what they would call an ideal meal. My ideal meal or "perfect" meal is very different then my typical meals. (I put perfect in quotes, because I really dont believe in perfection.) My typical meals (for dinner) vary because I'm either staying with my mom or my dad. My mom can cook, so when I'm with her, she usually cooks for me, and we eat whenever, and basically wherever in the house. I don't really like the fact that we aren't together while eating, but the food is usually good. With my dad, we usually eat together, which I like. But he can't cook, so we either eat TV dinners or takeout. It's a tradeoff between good food, or eating together, so neither of those are ideal for me. My ideal meal is one that is during the summer, overlooking the ocean, with friends and family. I want it in the summer because the weathers nicer, and I am definitely less stressed. My meal would consist of hot wings (extra hot), filet mignon (medium), mashed potatoes (with lots of gravy), and vegetables (no spinach). For dessert I would have some kind of pudding/ice cream combination. Hungry yet? Because I am, considering I just named some of my favorite foods. So, there is my ideal meal, which will never become an typical meal, because the standards are too high. The food costs too much to do repeatedly, and after a couple of times I'd move on.

     Food is an important aspect of life, and will remain that way for the end of time. The more important thing is that foods will change and what we have today may not always be here, so we should take advantage while we can.