The Food Network as Porn

Let me start by saying I love the Food Network.  I love the contest shows like Chopped, The Next Food Network Star, and especially Iron Chef.  I love watching the creativity of the chefs after The Chairman emphatically unveils the secret ingredient... an introduction that has been imitated repeatedly in our house with the same enthusiasm.  I love anything with my cooking hero, Bobby Flay, in it (yes, Mom, I know you still don't like him), including BBQ with Bobby Flay, Boy Meets Grill, Grill It!, and, my favorite, Throwdown with Bobby Flay.  I enjoy watching Giada as she whispers Italian recipes softly and soothingly in my ear and am jealous when watching Michael Chiarello cook Italian feasts for his family and friends.  I really like Outrageous Foods.  But, my ultimate favorite is Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri.  I love Guy's enthusiasm and can almost taste the food when he describes it.  These are my favorite shows.  Those shows that showcase local treasures across the country. 

The Travel Channel gets a share of my love with shows like Bizarre Foods (oh, how I wish I had your job Andrew Zimmern), Man vs. Food (can you believe there are so many places to test your intestinal fortitude?), and the recently added Food Wars.  Like D,D&D, Food Wars gives publicity to local specialties and the establishments that have made these dishes famous.  I had never heard of Food Wars before the recent filming of an episode right here in little ol' Pueblo and the battle for slopper bragging rights between The Sunset Inn and Gray's Coors Tavern.  But since, we have recorded a few episodes and I really enjoy the show.  The contested foods themselves are tempting.  The host, Camille Ford, is cute and bubbly.  But the combination of Camille lustfully enjoying these offerings is perfect!   Maybe it's the fact that I think I am closer to her now that I have stood right behind her at the Union Depot.  I find myself writing down the cities, restaurants and dishes just in case I end up in any of these cities and want to confirm each contest's winners.

As I was discussing with my boss how much I enjoy these shows, how much I enjoy cooking, and how much I enjoy talking about food, it hit me.  I am a food addict!  For me, the Food Network is no different than someone getting on the internet and looking at pornography.  This addiction doesn't have an ugly stigma about it.  People don't judge me for watching food shows.  And, while my food addiction may be less detrimental to my marriage than an addiction to smut would be, it is far more detrimental to my health.   But, I think it's time for this to change.

I have tried to change my mindset about food.  My cravings have decreased substantially.  I rarely eat because I am hungry or think I need to eat something.  I think of food as fuel for my body now.  I am trying to think of food as less sexy then I used to.  I am trying to have less conversations about food.  I have gotten in to the habit of eating throughout the day at pretty regular intervals.  No excitement.  No anticipation.  Just my scheduled stops for fuel to keep my body going.  I said it before, but I really believe that I have made huge strides mentally and just need to give my body about six months to catch up physically.

Of course, like I said, I still write down the challenges from Food Wars.  I will still watch and enjoy the D,D&D DVDs I got for Christmas.  I will still wish I could secretly jump in the convertible with Guy Fieri and tour all of these hidden gems with him by my side.  I will still watch food shows on the Food Network and the Travel Channel.  But, I will watch these shows less often and, hopefully, with less drool running from my mouth.  I will pick and choose recipes that fit my new lifestyle.  And, if I ever get to any of these dives, I will split the dish with Lori and try all of these delights in moderation.  Here's to battling your demons even if they seem as innocuous as the Food Network...