Fast Food, The Other Food Network

We've been in a deep cold spell here on Lake Superior's North Shore for the past two weeks. On New Year's Day, the temperature, with wind chill factor, dropped to minus 45. Yesterday, I took a walk downtown, about a five-minute trip, and my beard was frozen solid by the time I got there. I'm not complaining. This is pretty normal weather for the season.

This is cabin fever weather and we only venture outside when there's little other choice. I like this natural confinement, time to think, catch up on my reading, work on various projects and to talk. Over the weekend, we were talking about the places we used to hang out as teenagers. I mentioned that I remembered when (and here I date myself) the golden arches had not yet sold its first million burgers. I wasn't a vegetarian then and it was one of my frequent stops. Today, even though I haven't passed through the arches in maybe ten years, everytime I see them pleasant memories stir.

Now, not everyone shares fond recollections of the arches or any other fast food franchises, however, millions rely on these venues for their meals.

It is not only the food that is the draw, fast food is an integral part of our popular culture. The chains are even appealing to vegetarians although this is still a controversy among ethical vegetarains and environmentalists.

Some state that the food served is full of fat and empty calories but there are a variety of healthy choices available. These choices may not be your ideal of fine dining but then the fast food food delivery system is about more than eating. It speaks a great deal about lifestyle and shared experiences.

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