Simple Secrets to Eating Naturally & Joyfully

Blizzard Warning – Perfect Time for Food Must-Reads

I’m actually enjoying this snow day because I plan on being lazy today and reading!  So, for those of you contemplating on watching the news the whole day to get the latest and greatest on the blizzard and noshing on junk, I recommend that you instead spend some time on ordering some great food must-reads. 

 

Here are some of my favorites (and yes, I’m repeating myself on the Michael Pollan books…):

 

·   Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan

·   In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

·   The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

·   Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck

·   The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters

·   Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Enig and Mary Fallon

·   Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 by Julia Child and Simone Beck

Make yourself a nice cup of hot chocolate or cup of warm tea and enjoy!  Most importantly, this will keep you safe in two aspects:  1) off the roads and 2) away from junk food…

More Great Stuff from Michael Pollan on Real Foods

There are a number of people who need to be credited with bringing the local and slow foods movement into the foreground.  One of them is Michael Pollan, the author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, The Omnivore’s Dilemma:  A Natural History of Four Meals, and Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual.

 

I devoured his first two books and felt strongly validated in my obsession with pure and simple foods.  He recently was interviewed by Epicurious (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35218051/ns/today-today_food_and_wine/) and shared some tidbits from his new book, Food Rules.  The article is titled:  “How can Americans alter their eating habits?”  The article is definitely worth a read.  Two important items I want to share from the article are:

 

Epi: Do you have another food topic you're itching to write about?

MP: Yes, I want to write about cooking. My research has convinced me cooking is an important part of the solution. It's the only way to take back our diet from the big companies.

 

This is exactly my sentiment.  The change in America’s eating habits will come through cooking real foods in your home and the social connection from it. 

 

Also, a few highlights from his Food Rules:

 

Michael’s Quirky Food Rules

Rule 20: It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.

Rule 21: It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language (think Big Mac, Cheetos, or Pringles).

Rule 26: Drink the spinach water.

Rule 32: Don't overlook the oily little fishes.

Rule 36: Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.

Rule 57: Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does.

 

These are some rules to live by!  If you have a chance, go to your library and get his first two books.  They’ll change your thinking dramatically!

The Weekend Warrior Cook…

Don’t you hate when you have to say that you turned out more like a relative than you care to admit?  Well, that’s the case for me with my Oma (German for grandmother).  However, this morning, as I stood there at 8:30 am starting to prepare Italian Wedding Soup, I finally admitted that I had become her.  Why do I say that?  My grandmother used to stand at her stove on Sunday mornings, right after breakfast, and frenzily cook up a storm.  I’m the same way.  Not only do I do it on Sundays, but also on Saturdays.  For example, this weekend, I cooked, baked, prepared chicken in a creamy wine sauce with mushrooms, smashed potatoes, braised carrots, sautéed green beans, sautéed brussel sprouts, coconut rice, Italian wedding soup, red wine/chocolate cake, and truffles. 

 

After seeing Julie & Julia on DVD last weekend and starting to read Julia Child’s “Life in France” this week, I can truly see that cooking is my pursuit of happiness.  So, I will embrace my Weekend Warrior Cooking, and gladly admit that I have become my Oma!  Guten Appetit or Bon Appétit!