In Defense of Food
Has anybody else read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan? I'm listening to it on CD while painting the bedroom, and I'm loving it. I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself for coming up with "Eat food, not products" on my own over a year ago. Anyway, I recommend it to anybody who has ever dieted, or, well, ever eaten an American diet.
Although, listening to it on CD is a tad on the annoying side. The reader gets a bit of preachy, smug attitude in his voice, and while I'm sure that the book is full of plenty of preachy, smug attitude, I can handle it better in print. Annoying, but it doesn't detract that much from the book itself.
I've also recently read The End of Overeating by David Kessler. Admittedly, I haven't read the final chapter or two, where he lays out his plan for beating the system. I'm sure it's good, but I can't imagine it's the much different from Michael Pollan's Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. mantra. Kessler hits HARD on the food industry and their marketing of highly processed foods. Pollan seems to aim more at "nutritionism", and science-based eating that is seemlingly prevalent in our culture. The books enhance each other's messages.
If Pollan hits on science, and Kessler nails industry, Marion Nestle (no, no relation) focuses on government (and industry, really) in her Food Politics blog (and in her book, too, I'm sure, although I haven't read it).
I'm looking forward to more reading... Food, Inc., the movie or the book, and Fast Food Nation, among others. I'll definitely check more Michael Pollan, including The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Other suggestions? Oh, and while I'm talking about food, do any of my southern friends shop at "Earth's Fare" stores? Jeff was in Huntsville for work this week, and I read an article about one of those stores opening in that area. Sounded intriguing.
Although, listening to it on CD is a tad on the annoying side. The reader gets a bit of preachy, smug attitude in his voice, and while I'm sure that the book is full of plenty of preachy, smug attitude, I can handle it better in print. Annoying, but it doesn't detract that much from the book itself.
I've also recently read The End of Overeating by David Kessler. Admittedly, I haven't read the final chapter or two, where he lays out his plan for beating the system. I'm sure it's good, but I can't imagine it's the much different from Michael Pollan's Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. mantra. Kessler hits HARD on the food industry and their marketing of highly processed foods. Pollan seems to aim more at "nutritionism", and science-based eating that is seemlingly prevalent in our culture. The books enhance each other's messages.
If Pollan hits on science, and Kessler nails industry, Marion Nestle (no, no relation) focuses on government (and industry, really) in her Food Politics blog (and in her book, too, I'm sure, although I haven't read it).
I'm looking forward to more reading... Food, Inc., the movie or the book, and Fast Food Nation, among others. I'll definitely check more Michael Pollan, including The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Other suggestions? Oh, and while I'm talking about food, do any of my southern friends shop at "Earth's Fare" stores? Jeff was in Huntsville for work this week, and I read an article about one of those stores opening in that area. Sounded intriguing.