It has been going on for a few weeks, and at first I tried to conceal it. However, a few of my close friends began to notice the change in my behavior and a few of them confronted me about it. Now I've come to terms with it, and I am comfortable enough that I no longer feel the need to hide it.
I am addicted to Easy Cheese.
I used to laugh at the mere thought of spray-cheese in a can, and I had no problem ridiculing those who ate it. In fact, I put them in the group I refer to as "People Raised by Wolves" (along with those who chill red wine, listen to Kenny G, or, God forbid, wear white after Labor Day). I had thoughtlessly lumped all these people together for the sole purpose of laughing at their poor taste.
I'm not laughing anymore. I'm one of them now.
I was "converted" one night at a party when I was enjoying a nice glass of Bordeaux. The host whipped out a can of THE STUFF and some Ritz crackers. I began to laugh at him and make fun of those who were eagerly ingesting his little creations. My comments really offended them, and they pointed out that I was being intolerant and closed to new experiences. So, not wanting to be "intolerant," I tried it. Next thing I knew I was making daily Topside runs to keep stocked on my little addiction.
Telling my parents was the hardest part. You have to understand that both of my 'rents are excellent cooks, and have raised me to appreciate good food. My family doesn't buy generic ingredients (we actually grate our own fresh parmesan cheese every night before dinner), and I will never forget the fit my mom threw when a tub of Cool Whip made it home from the grocery store. Although the transition to college food was tough, I accepted it. With my upbringing, I swore that I would never consciously eat things like ramen noodles, mac 'n cheese, or (GOD FORBID) Easy Cheese. Nor would I knowingly associate with anyone who did.
Recently, however, I asked myself, just what is wrong with Easy Cheese? Did you know that the first ingredient is ... CHEESE? It has five grams of protein, 15 percent of recommended daily calcium, and is a legitimate member of the dairy food group. When I discovered these things, I began to do a little research. I wanted to break through the myths people (especially on campus) propagate about things like Easy Cheese. By talking with nutritionists, reading about the cheese-making process, and interviewing random students on campus, I have discovered that Easy Cheese is not inferior to other foods. It is a delicious and nutritious snack, and no one should be ashamed to eat it.
Now I have become an ardent advocate against ridiculing someone for what he eats. I've added V-8, Fluff, mac 'n cheese and ramen to the list of foods I defend. I'm also currently trying to ease the skim milk/2%/whole milk tensions running high on campus. My major project for next term will be to make Bugles tasty corn snacks (first ingredient: corn) more available around campus.
I look back at my earlier intolerant discrimination with a lot of shame and embarrassment. Tolerance has become a big issue as of late, and I implore the scholars of this great college to be more tolerant of their fellow students. This is not to say that those of us who eat cheese out of a can have the right to coerce you into eating Easy Cheese (drinking V-8, etc.), nor should an Easy Cheeser eat it straight from the can around those who are uncomfortable with it. However, everyone should have the right to eat what they want in the privacy of their own kitchens. People can even chill red wine, as long as they don't do it in front of me.
