Pinterest, Friend or Foe?

I'm going to piggy back on Consumption Junction and address Pinterest. I've been a pinterest user for over a year now, and there is a lot to be said for the site. It's a great way to kill some time, get craft or recipe ideas, to give you a good laugh, to build your dream closet or your dream home. And I've definitely tried some things I've seen on the site, such as dressing up my bathroom vanity by skirting some fabric around it.

But I think there are some ugly sides to Pinterest as well. The side that feeds into America's gross consumerism and gluttony. I see things on Pinterest that I'm sure have to be a joke because no one would ever do/buy/eat that, right?!

One thing to remember about Pinterest is that the content is user generated, and there isn't always a proper context attached to each "pin". I've seen some things passed around the site that make me shudder. For example, I'm a career counselor by trade. It's my job to assist college students with their professional development. I've seen lots of "professional" hints and tips for interview preparation, resume formats, and what to wear. Most of this stuff is wrong. To put it nicely, this information might be accurate for certain industries, particular people, or specific situations, but I'm guessing if a person is looking for a job, they may or may not know whether something is appropriate for them or their field.

How about the wedding board that everyone has whether they're getting married, have been married for years or not even dating anyone? I have one. I hate that I have one, but I do. I've totally sold out, because if I don't collect all these ideas now, how will I ever plan my wedding if that day comes? God forbid I forget about putting lace on mason jars and putting tea lights in them for decorations. Or if I miss out on THE dress. My potential wedding might be ruined.

Another thing I've noticed is that we must not at all be satisfied with our quality of food. Because if you need to make "lasagna" out of layers of candy bars, marshmallow fluff, m&m's, and graham crackers, there is obviously something in your regular diet you are not getting and you're making up for it in refined sugars and preservatives.

Do we really need things like deep fried oreos?  Do we really need to make turduckens? What's wrong with one really well prepared and cooked bird? I ask myself this all the time. How people can prefer or gravitate towards things like chicken patties and heat attack inducing "loaded" mashed potatoes. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE food. I love it way too much. I'm guilty of being addicted to cheese and having the occassional Primanti's pastrami sandwich. I cook with real butter and olive oil. I change up, create, and add to recipes all the time.

But I think people are taking things way to far now, and in the total wrong direction. When Hostess went out of business last month, I saw mass hysteria over twinkies. Twinkies. Really? I don't know if I had a twinkie in my life prior to the age of 15 or 16. No, my parents were not health food nuts. But my mom made things from scratch. Growing up, we never had storebought goodies. No ready made pie crusts or fillings. Having the real thing and then trying something made with additives and fillers is disappointing to say the least. And to tell you the truth about twinkies, I think they taste like someone put paste in a sponge.

Adding cookie dough to your brownie batter will not cure your sweet tooth. All you're doing is increasing your sugar addiction and numbing your tastebuds. Focus on the fun of cooking, use healthy, natural ingredients, and I guarantee you will feel better, the food will taste better, and you will feel satisfied. You won't want or need these:

Cause you know, peeps just weren't enough sugar by themselves.

No everyone go check out www.pinterestyouaredrunk.tumblr.com It's always good for a laugh! Pin carefully readers!