What's for Dinner Tonight?
| Published 11/12/04

Graphic by: Tim Tuley

And really, what is for dinner tonight? Well, let's look at your options; you've got your meal plan which entitles you to eat at one of the dining halls or perhaps at one of the other on campus establishments (i.e. Chick-a-Fila, Au Bon Pain, Sbarro's, etc.). You could always order a pizza or hit up everyone's favorite diner -- Joe's.  Maybe you just feel like staying in and making a little something. Eh, that takes too much work. Maybe you'll just have one of the frozen dinners that is in your freezer. Ahh, Swanson's you've outdone yourself yet again. This peach cobbler dessert seems to resemble food more and more every time you get it.

TV dinners really are a metaphor for college life. Just for simply the fact that they are to be eaten when you just need something to eat quickly and want to do something else while you eat (whether it be watch TV or get some work done). Plus, they usually tend to try to have everyone of the food groups covered. You've got your protein, your vegetable, your starch and your uhh. peach cobbler? When eating in college, the thought of whether or not you are getting proper nutrients on majority probably crosses someone's mind maybe once a week. Do you want to think about whether or not you've got your proper requirements of Vitamin B37 when you have three tests coming up in the next week?

It's a shame that this is the case in college but, in all honesty, it really is the case for people most anywhere in America. With cell phones, Internet and all the rest of world that moves so quickly, no one really wants to take the time to sit down and have a good meal, chat and whatever else goes on (maybe once a week for some, maybe twice for others, but never really that often).

It can be looked at as a health problem, but I feel more than anything it's really a social problem. Having a good meal sitting down and enjoying it is very nice. But making a good meal is something entirely different. Let me tell you too, I don't think there's anything better then making a good meal and listening to some music. Pulling out a hot freshly baked salmon with some "Hounds of Love" playing in the background is just so choice, there isn't much that's better!

Whether or not you're cooking for yourself or cooking for others or simply at the dining hall eating, just take some time with what you are doing. Take notice of theses things and don't worry about that paper you have to write, you still have time -- I promise you. Enjoy your food, have a conversation and always chew.