Dear Mr. Pollan - or can I call you Mike?
Mike, hey, listen buddy, I love your stuff. I really do. In Defense of Food was great, and I couldn't stop talking about The Omnivore's Dilemma. I get it. I'm picking up what you're throwing down. We click (*snap, index finger point*).
So I read your latest article on NYTimes with interest. Why do we spend so much time watching cooking shows on TV, yet so little time cooking ourselves? Your argument is a bit of a stretch trying to connect the two, but yes, there is an irony there.
However, I have one big hang-up with it. Right here you say that the average American spends four minutes a day cleaning up in the kitchen. My question to you is, on exactly what planet is that version of America? I imagine the name of this planet starts with "Happy Land". Wherever it is, all I know is that I want to go to there.
I can't even throw out a pizza box in four minutes, since I stand there for three wondering if it can be recycled, despite the cheese crust and grease stains. Sandwich clean-up? Definitely hitting the seven or eight minute mark, especially if we're talking about cleaning up the crumbs rather than just dusting them off the counter and onto the floor like I usually do.
Maybe if I watched more infomercials and purchased a ShamWow like the rest of America...maybe that's the secret.
So Mike, an idea for your next book: How to Clean Up Your Kitchen in Four Minutes. I'll be first in line to pick up a copy.
Love,
Beth
Well, my kitchen certainly looks like I only spend 4 minutes a day on KP. Crikey, the place is a disaster. The more I'm in there, the worse it gets! Perhaps I should get a dog, name him Hoover, and see if that at least helps with the floor.
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious. I DO NOT know how gets the 4 minute figure, either. If I were to track how much time I spend cleaning up, it would be very alarming. Should we do it just for fun?
ReplyDeleteMaybe he averaged the amount of time men spend cleaning their kitchens (think bachelors or frat boys!) with the time women spend cleaning. Then there all those people with "gourmet" kitchens who only eat take-out.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I still think it would be more than 4 minutes.
hee hee!! i love 30 Rock! And I am still trying to get thru Omnivore's Dilemma...it's a great read but a dense! Lots to take in and kinda depressing. but great awareness to have and empowering all at the same time. as for the kitchen clean up...cleaning my kitchen is a part time job since i do it 5+ times a day. so yeah i am waiting in line behind you Beth to get that book of secrets!
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