Monday, July 20, 2009

read it



My friends Dave and Janae started talking about this book they were reading about food. The more they talked, the more I got interested. I figured I'd give it a whirl. I've been trying to be more healthy this year. I'm trying to cut down my caffeine and increase colorful foods (aka fruits and veggies.) It's hard. This books has been so enlightening. It talks about the evolution of the food we eat and how it's gotten to where it is now. It's obviously depressing to read about all the horrible things that are in seemingly everything. Before this book, Janae had told me she had cut out all high fructose corn syrup. Do you know how long it takes to read labels at the grocery store? Even more, do you know how many things have high fructose corn syrup? It's also depressing. My beloved Miracle Whip, Crisco and even salsa have it! So, it's been hard to give up some things. He talks about cutting out all canned foods and as much frozen food as possible. That's hard! I still have a shelf full of cans. I will be eating them. I do have a freezer with frozen foods. I will be eating them. But once they're gone, the challenge will be how to replace them. This is most obviously going to mean more trips to the grocery store than the once a month I've been getting by with. It's kind of fun though to get creative with the new rules that Pollen has introduced thanks to reading his book.

You should read it. You don't have to make changes, but it is terribly interesting to learn where our food came from and where it does now. PS-You should make it a point to find your local Farmer's Market and buy from them. Better still, become a member of a food co-op. Carl and I got a membership for our wedding. I guess we should start using it now. :)

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. -Michael Pollan

7 comments:

Lindsay said...

My copy came in the mail today. Are you proud of me? Apparently the person selling it on half.com got it from a library in Florida. Wonder if I should return it after I read it????

Cara said...

AWESOME!!! I've VERY proud! Perhaps you should pay it forward. After all, you're not the one paying the fine. :)

Anonymous said...

I will read it. I love this sort of thing even though, I agree it is depressing. I just watched a very enlightening (albeit, older) documentary on Hulu called "The Future of Food". It taught me so much that I didn't know about farming in America. You should watch it if you haven't already.

abby coyle photo said...

I'm always curious as to what it is I'm putting in my body while eating. I would be willing to lend you a copy of a recommended book if you'd share once you are through:) fair trade. what do you say?

Cara said...

Oh snap Abby! I would love that! However, the book I'm reading isn't mine. :( Hm...how could we make this work? Wait. We'll make a deal. I'll check out yours from the library if you check out mine. Dealio?

abby coyle photo said...

DEAL! However, I don't have a library card, haha. Do you have any other books (that are yours) that you'd want to trade? I've got a few that I'd gladly swap!

Amanda Fortney said...

hey, you can find lots of great snack food and even frozen and canned food at akins without all the crazy stuff in it. it costs more, but it's totally worth it if you think about the money it will save you down the road when you are healthy instead of with lots of chronic problems! also, they have some sodas that are pretty tasty that don't have all the scary stuff in it too. and i heard they are putting in a whole foods store by chesapeake!