Recently, I read the book In Defense of Food
The book is quite interesting and Pollan has a terrific writing style. He can actually write about legislation, food science and the agriculture industry and make it all sorta funny. That's talent. In the book, Pollan makes the case (in many different ways) for people to get back to basics with food. His essential advice is to, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." (As opposed to eating food-like stuff -- high fructose corn syrup, anyone? --, way too much of it, and way too much beef, corn and soy.)
This simple advice has resonated with thousands (millions?) and certainly with me. Even before reading the book, I was attempting to clean up my diet and base it more on whole foods. Since finishing the book, I've been more charged up to do that than ever. So far, so good. We're eating more whole foods, less processed junk and more vegetables here at Chez Happy Runner. Fortunately, now is the perfect time for veggies.
Which brings me to the next thing I wanted to tell you about. This year, I bought a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm share. Actually, I split a share with a friend because it was the first year for both of us. Our first pickup was last night and ooooooh, was I excited! The bounty did not disappointment. Our bag this week contained beets, a turnip, strawberries, mint, basil, mustard greens, arugula, lettuce, bok choy, scallions and garlic scapes. I made a stir fry with the bok choy, scallions and scapes and it was tasty. I think I'm going to enjoy getting all of these fresh veggies, and I know that it will help in my pursuit to eat more local, whole foods.
I still eat plenty of crap -- I'm not going to lie. But, I eat less crap than I used to. And that feels good! Less crap = more energy. More energy = happier me. It works!
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The sun is finally shining after a rainy yesterday and rain this morning. Yahoo!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Be sure to stop by on Monday when I will have THE coolest giveaway contest starting. Seriously awesome. No lie!
~ Felice
18 comments:
I have that book sitting on my book shelf for the longest time - I am inspired to read it now!! Thanks!!
Being a member of a CSA must be awesome!!!
Okay, I'm ordering that book right now. Thanks for the recommendations.
Ooh sounds like the CSA is more than worth it!! I love fresh summer/fall produce - its so colorful, and allows for so much creativity. I had a salad yesterday with mint in the Lemon-vinaigrette dressing; just an idea for that herb :) it was DELICIOUS!
The coolest giveaway?? I am on pins and needles. My hubby grows some things in our yard, but I really like the idea of farm share, WOW!!
Will have to pick up a copy of the book, thanks for the tip. Will clean up my eating after the Marathon is over, will have to :)
Book sounds very cool and might inspire me to do better with my eating..
Sounds like a great book. I'll look it up! I need some motivation to clean up my diet.
Looking forward to the giveaway!
the co-op share thing sounds amazing. i would love to do something like that, i usually just have to hit the farmers markets, but even that is hit and miss. excellent idea. can't wait for the giveaway.
We joined a CSA for this coming fall (since we're gone much of the summer), and I can't wait for all the goodies to start arriving. I'm excited to be able to eat local food (though we have a food co-op around the corner and buy a lot of stuff there as it is), but even more, I'm excited about the prospect of figuring out recipes for all of the random produce we get. Keep writing about your CSA adventures - I want to hear what kinds of concoctions you come up with.
I really do need to pay better attention to where my food is coming from! I've been eating junk & my energy levels definitely show it.
Michael Pollan is a great advocate for right eating. His book is hard to beat. He summed it up pretty well when he said: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." But Jack Lalanne's advice on food may be better: "If man made it, don't eat it."
i need to clean my diet up even more. i've been doing better the past couple of weeks (focusing on not eating too much), but i know eventually i need to really clean up and eat all/mostly healthy foods. sounds like a book i need to stick my nose in!
Summer is such a good time get back into eating the good "plants". I think its a great idea and I will have to check out that book!
I wanted to join a farm share this year but it was all sold out!! Sounds amazing!
i have looked in to a CSA, but couldn't ever find it to be truly cheaper than my farmers market...may have to keep lookin
I think everyone needs a certain amount of "crap" in their diet. I eat very healthy 90% of the time, but come on...it just isn't realistic to eat perfectly all the time. I think you have a great (and honest!) handle on your eating.
Ps- The co-op sounds fabulous!
Sounds like a great book. I will check it out.
I try to eat healthy most of the time, but my hubby has an aversion for healthy food, so it's a challenge to find something he will like, that is not entirely unhealthy.
Enjoyed your post...You may be interested in the new documentary FOOD, INC which I just reviewed on our running blog www.aboldpace.com as Michael Pollan appears in the film hitting on topics from his book. I still love my junk food too but it really makes you think!
Woohoo! Glad you finally read it, and it seems like you had pretty much the same epiphany I had. :o) YAY!
We have not done the CSA this year, though are considering a meat CSA for next year...there is a place in Michigan not far from where my husband grew up that does one in the Chicago area.
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