Corduroy Orange

I’ve often said that there’s a connection between food and any other subject out there.  On occasion, I’ll get a taker who challenges me with subjects they think are unrelated, but so far, there’s always been a connection.  Here are a few examples; and if you don’t buy it after that, throw a couple of topics out there.  Bet you there’s a link.

Food and…

…Sports:

• Concession stands at all levels of competition, from pee wee to the pros
• Nutritionists working with some pros to help them achieve weight and maintain physical fitness
• Sports stars (among other highly paid individuals) hiring private chefs to cook for them.

…Fashion:

• Beets, tea, and coffee as fabric dyes
• The costume of a chef: double-breasted jacket and toque
• Food companies using t-shirts as advertising spaces

…Astronomy:

• Planting by the lunar calendar
• Feeding the astronauts in a weightless environment

…Paleontology:

• Paleoscatology
• Whether dinosaurs were carnivores or herbivores impacts how their fossilized remains are interpreted.  Within the past several years, many dinosaur postures have been re-interpreted to reflect this understanding, producing, for example, a much fiercer-looking Tyranosaurus Rex that uses its tail for balance in an obviously predatory stance than used to be imagined, standing erect and seemingly lumbering and slow.

…Climate:

• Different regions are able to grow different crops.  You’re not going to find, for instance, grapes, chocolate, and citrus all growing in the same region.

…Automotive Engineering:

• Is responsible for creating the many trucks that ship foods across climate zones so you can find products from around the world in your local store.

…Sex:

• C’mon, use your imagination!

…Music:

• Metaphorically, the different notes that compose a dish work like chords or notes.  Some are pleasing when combined; others clash dischordantly.
• The music played by an eating establishment can do wonders to establish its tone and attract/ repel various clientele (grandma and grandpa are not likely to be found in the punk rock bar; whereas Johnny Rotten would likely steer quite clear of the Sunday morning smooth jazz brunch).

…Crime:

• Legitimate food shipments can be used to provide cover for contraband shipped across international borders.

…Logging:

• Of tropical hardwoods threatens the future of certain nuts (eg Brazil Nuts) and spices (eg nutmeg, mace).
• Certain food trees are also logged for their woods (walnut, maple, cherry, etc.)

…Anything else? Name it–I bet you there’s a connection.

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