Why I love Jaimie Oliver.

Well, let's start at the basics. He's cute, he's charming, he cooks, and he's got that accent. Yum. What? I'm talking about his food. I've been watching Jaimie since the Naked Chef came out - way before I even tried to cook. He took good, basic cooking and made it a bit more rock n' roll. And a heck of a lot easier.

Over the past month or so, hubby and I have been watching Jaimie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC. What an eye opener! I think we are all aware that there's a serious obesity and diabetes epidemic going on. Some of us may even be living it. Most of us probably have at least one loved one struggling with it. And yet, it is amazing to me, how even the most educated mind skips the obvious questions. What are chicken nuggets made of? (You don't want to know.) What are our schools serving our children? What are we serving our children? What are we feeding ourselves?

I personally look in the mirror and wonder.... what have I been eating? Just because the box says "Lean Cuisine" should I assume that it's healthy for me? Who's definition of healthy? Here's an example. A very trusted girlfriend and mother that I highly admire was horrified when I told her that I was feeding Buggy Gerber's jarred chicken. I couldn't understand. I mean it was Gerber's for goodness sake. I was fed Gerber's I'm sure, so how bad could it be? My girlfriend said, "Christine, think about it. It's meat. In a jar. Unrefridgerated." Crap.This isn't necessarily going to harm our children. But is this the best we can do? Don't we as people, parents, consumers, deserve more?

On Jaimie's show, he really throws these questions - and their answers - in your face. It's not always pretty and has sent me a few times to my pantry and fridge to throw things out. He doesn't always please people - I think Jaimie Oliver has just as many enemies as he does fans. But you have to admire his passion, his motives, and his heart. These are things I often find missing in today's world. Certainly on TV. In today's world of disasterous health care and rampant, often preventable disease, proactive is the way to go. Food is the way to start.

So check out the show and check out his new cook book, "Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals". I own it myself and will be reporting on some of his recipes. You've got to love a book that combines Indian, Italian, Traditional British and Classic cooking so seamlessly. And there's a great picture of Jamie on the cover! Hey, it doesn't hurt.