This morning I watched an episode of Iron Chef America, a program on the Food Network, and was taken by Beauty once again. This was an episode in which award winning chefs were challenged to use vegetables and fruits from the White House Kitchen Garden as the stars, as the main ingredients, in the recipes they created for the judges. Also used was honey from the White House bee hive as a sweetener. All those present, the chefs, the judges, and the observers were in awe of the vegetables, fruits, and herbs that were both organically grown and fresh. The proteins used to create the dishes were local sustainably and humanely nurtured animals and fish, and the cheeses were locally produced.

Beauty of God’s creation was visible as I watched the photographs of the plants in the garden, and as I observed the respect for this beauty by the chefs whose creativity was inspired by it, and the persons who ate and found that beauty is a joy. The words of scripture, “taste and see that the Lord is good” come to mind.

I came away encouraged to respect beauty in my daily life by purchasing and cooking more thoughtfully. What am I buying? who am I supporting with my choices? How is my purchase changing the food culture back toward God’s intention for creation instead of seeing what can be done to alter food in odd and irresponsible ways? Am I changing the culture of my eating from mindlessness to mindfulness so I can enjoy the beauty of God’s Creation?

And when I grab breakfast from the local McDonalds as I did this morning rather than taking time to cook my organic/local/humanely/sustainably raised eggs and sausage, (I was trying to get this blog finished!) I can forgive myself for some early belief that I must be perfect to be beautiful. I can also appreciate the beauty in the worker who takes my order.