Each episode is packed with celebrity chefs and celebrities in their own right. With Obama as a supporting character and producer, there is no shortage of star power. Curious about that last one? You’ll have to watch. On a personal note, I never knew the difference between herbs and spices, or that there are 5,000 varieties of potatoes, or the “blender dance” is universal. The variety of plants becomes obvious, and this show does a wonderful job of demonstrating how infinite and delicious vegan food can be. Viewers watch as a Spanish chef blends up gazpacho, a cook prepares mushrooms for kids in Japan, and a purple potato stew comes together over an open flame in Peru. The rice episode treks to Georgia where a famous food historian teaches the puppets about slavery using rice as an ice breaker. Waffles and Mochi jetset to Japan, Peru, Africa, Italy, Savannah, GA, and even outer space. This show really racks up the frequent flyer miles. Remember, something that might seem different doesn’t mean it’s bad, and that lesson stands for food and people alike. Well, there’s one exception: the discovery of mushrooms creeps Waffles out at first, but in the end, it all turns out dandy. Both Waffles and Mochi demonstrate an insatiable curiosity for food in all of its forms, sending a message that food can be a delightful adventure instead of something to be picky or cautious about. Given the former first lady’s initiatives in the White House, it seems natural that Obama is heavily involved in a children’s show that preaches a healthy relationship with food. It’s what is on the inside that counts, after all (alright, collective “aHealthy food relationships Pickles teach us patience, salt teaches moderation, and potatoes teach us that we are all beautiful just the way we are. Quite frankly, these are lessons many adults need to learn, too. Of course, a lesson is always learned in the end, explained by none other than Mrs. Throughout the show, children of diverse backgrounds offer their opinions about food, celebrity chefs and full-on celebrities make regular guest appearances, and there’s always a catchy song thrown in for good measure (that rice song is still stuck in my head). Waffles (part waffle part Yeti) and Mochi (a slightly annoying pink ball that “meeps”) are sent on a quest from the grocery store and travel across the world in their magic shopping cart to learn more about foods and their cultural origins. All are vegan with the exception of the egg show (we’ll get to that later). The duo is inspired to see the world after watching a Julia Child throwback show, and they land in a colorful supermarket with a rooftop garden-where you’ll find Obama (aka Mrs. Waffles + Mochi come from The Land of Frozen Food where everything-from the furniture to the meals they eat-is made of ice. Focus on food cultureĪ quick synopsis of the show is in order. While I’m sure it was a cute endearment in the family, mochi is both a more kid- and vegan-friendly term. Thormahlen brought the show to Obama’s attention with the title Waffles and Mousemeat-the latter was Thormahlen’s nickname her dad gave her. Thormahlen’s idea was brilliant, but thank goodness Higher Ground Productions insisted on a title change. In a podcast interview with Cherry Bombe Radio, Thormahlen said she had an affinity for Sesame Street growing up and her show was intended to do for food what Sesame Street did for reading. While former First Lady Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, produced the show, the original idea sprouted from Erika Thormahlen. This animated puppet show is on the vegan track in so many ways, but it got derailed in one major area. The narrative isn’t completely vegan, but there is potential, and vegan or not, it’s a delightful way to spend an evening alone. It wasn’t just playing in the background (which is typically my version of “watching” television), my attention was completely transfixed by the food-centric content and loveable characters, both human and plush. That’s five hours of children’s programming I deliberately watched without distraction. And yet, I finished Michelle Obama’s new children’s show, Waffles + Mochi, in a week. Throughout my life, I’ve been told I look five years younger but act five years older than my actual age. I am a 28-year-old vegan with a stable job, a nice apartment, and conservative investments.
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