The Right Choice?

I grew up eating many diverse foods; although they always seemed to be influenced by hispanic tendencies. I am Venezuelan, and my mom absolutely loves to cook. Since I can remember, she was always in the kitchen, creating wonderful, delicious smells. This behavior strongly influenced my interest in cooking. I absolutely love to cook any type of food, but I would have to say that my specialty would be either tacos or spanish chicken and rice.

My friends are always asking me to have them over for dinner. I am very busy during the week, so the only time that I have to cook is on the weekend. I finally agreed to cook for my friends and made pulled chicken tacos, spanish beans, and spanish chicken and rice. I didn't initially have all the specific ingredients for these dishes, so I had to go to the grocery store. At this point, I was torn between going to the all natural co-op or the Cub Foods down the street from my house. I knew that the Cub was more convienent as well as less expensive, but I also realized that the co-op was more nutricious and the fresher ingredients would really make a difference in the flavor of my entrees. And having more nutrition meant that these foods were healthier and less fattening. I finally decided that my friends as well as my satisfaction was more important so I went and spent the extra money at the co-op, plus it was right across the street from the Liquor store that sells my favorite German white wine. It made me feel better knowing I was killing two birds with one stone, which relieved some of the anxiety for spending extra money. The meal was delicious and my friends demanded that they take left overs home.

Culture obviously plays its part within all my decisions. I decided to cook these dishes due to my spanish ethnicity. I felt comfortable and confident cooking these dishes because I grew up with them since I can remember, and had much practice preparing them. Gender politics also showed its face here while I was deciding that the co-op would save me from becoming FAT. Every female wants to be thin and trim because that's what's idealized within our culture. This influence shows itself within our food decisions. Economics also lended its hand because I preferred to eat all natural food and without my economic resources, I wouldn't have been able to afford this type of taste; better yet, would I have even considered it if I hadn't the resources to have previously endured it? It's very interesting how we all are governed and almost defined by our own particular "cultures."