Santos Health Newsletter

The Official Santos Slow Down Newsletter part 2:.

Some readers may remember a previous issue about 18 months ago when Aaron, our Byron store Manager wrote an article about slowing down the fast pace of modern life. Since then a number of articles, books, and even movements have come to light, including the Slow Food movement, which began in Italy in 1986. Its head offices is in Bra, Piedmont, in the north of Italy where the first national association was founded, and which now has members in many countries. Byron Bay has the largest per capita membership of any Slow Food convivium in the world. The Slow Food movement is typically in favour of decentralisation and keeping unique and local products and cuisine alive. They would certainly be in favour of our local farmers market. The Byron Bay convivium can be reached by telephoning either Candy Katsamas ph. 66859040 or Amanda Kenyon ph. 66876191.

Much of this information is available at www.slowfood.com

The Official Slow Food Manifesto ... endorsed and approved in 1989 by delegates from 20 countries.

1. Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilization, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.
2. We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.
3. To be worthy of the name, Homo sapiens should rid himself of speed before it reduces him to a species in danger of extinction.
4. A firm defence of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.
5. May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.
6. Our defence should begin at the table with Slow Food. Let us rediscover the flavours and savours of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.
7. In the name of productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes, slow Food is now the only truly progressive answer.
8. This is what real culture is all about: developing taste rather than demeaning it. And what better way to set about this than an international exchange of experiences, knowledge, projects?
9. Slow Food guarantees a better future. Slow Food is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little snail as its symbol.

We at Santos would certainly concur with the Slow Food Manifesto, whilst we would also add to it our focus on organically grown foods as well as not supporting genetically engineered foods. We feel that both of these aspects dovetail well with the Slow Food movement.

The Slow Food Mission

Through its understanding of gastronomy with relation to politics, agriculture and the environment Slow Food has become an active player in agriculture and ecology. Slow Food links pleasure and food with awareness and responsibility. The association's activities seek to defend biodiversity in our food supply, spread the education of taste, and link producers of excellent foods to consumers through events and initiatives.

Defence of Biodiversity
Slow Food believes the enjoyment of excellent foods and wines should be combined with efforts to save the countless traditional cheeses, grains, vegetables, fruits, and animal breeds that are disappearing due to the prevalence of convenience food and agribusiness. Slow Food seeks to protect our invaluable food heritage.

Slow Food Philosophy
Whether standing at a BBQ, kneeling on a tatami mat or seated at an elegant restaurant, eating is fundamental to living. Elevating the quality of our food and taking time to enjoy it is a simple way to infuse our daily lives with joy. This is the philosophy of Slow Food.
With food so central to daily life, it naturally follows that what we eat has a profound effect on our surroundings as well – the rural landscape of the countryside, the duration of tradition and the biodiversity of the earth. For a true gastronome, it is impossible to ignore the strong connections between plate and planet.

The Slow program, advises you to go slowly (No. 1), take your time, have a break (No. 2) and find a friend who can provide food and hospitality (No. 3).

Recommended Books

In keeping with the slow theme in this issue, look out for a recently published book “In Praise of Slow” by Carl Honore

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Gratitude is the most passionate transformative force in the cosmos. When we offer thanks to God or to another human being, gratitude gifts us with renewal, reflection, and reconnection.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

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........... end part two .............

..... ... Part three next week..................