Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Got an opinion?

I decided that this is such an important issue that I would over flow it to my TMI blog...and no I have not taken a vacation from blogging, just had some issues with my tummy the past few days and ate some thing I should not have! I will learn...











If you have not read any of his books like Omnivore's Dilemma, or his current best seller 'In Defense of Food' then you had better catch up on some reading...


In a most recent piece by Mr. Pollan in the online version of New York Times, 'Health' section about how he is looking for submission's for research he is doing...Micheal Pollen Wants Your Food Rules

He goes on to say..."I’d like your help gathering some rules for eating well. My premise is that culture has a lot to teach us about how to choose, prepare and eat food, and that this wisdom is worth collecting and preserving before it disappears".

Pollan is giving us a chance to take our turn to say 'what works for us'...his own own Russian-Jewish grandfather used to say at the end of every meal, “I always like to leave the table a little bit hungry.” As opposed to science and nutrition research used in most recent years...

An old statement that comes to mind is that 'we eat with our eyes', and then our shove the food into our mouths until everything on our plate is gone. Since it was so good we then many times go back for more. I have timed my husband and his family, they eat in under 10 minutes. Did anyone actually enjoy the meal, savoring each bite as I find the most exquisite part of gathering, preparing, and sitting down to a wonderful meal? Any meal can be gourmet if you take the time to plan and execute so that the flavors and smells become part of the eating ritual, but what does it become if we 'swallow' without thought?

Many of us were told to 'clean the plate' or heard 'people are going hungry and would love to have that food'. Over time many of us find ourselves overweight or unhealthy, and have to retrain our brains. Our choices are not so hot either! Education starts at our tables with our own children.

Once again I take out my soap box and refer to the obesity problem in the United States, and my own problems with over eating due to emotional turmoil from my loss over the past eight years.

I am re-training myself to eat as little as possible, or the nutritionist in me should say 'portion control'. The 'Peanut Butter Cheese Cake' post that I did, I failed to mention that I had two bites, and was done. My taste buds have become in tune with my over sweet consumption (my biggest problem so far), and I before that had a bowl of curried greens my intern made along with three bites of the veal chop. Believe me I am a gravy girl, so I was glad we only made enough for that meal.

My family memories about eating were not so great, but my life lessons on the matter may help others...

Go check out Micheal Pollan's article...share and give him some good research material...by leaving a comment at the bottom of his article...

Micheal Pollan Offical Website

Greg @ Sippitysup has an interesting 'Tomatomania' blurb that is being hosted with some great tips on growing a garden...as a successful avid organic gardner myself throughout the years and if you are planning on a good crop I suggest you go read his blog site! It is 'Serious Fun Food' reading...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I checked out the Omnivore's Dilemma but I had to return it before I even got started because I checked out too many at once. LOL I do want to read it though.

I have the same reaction to depression...eating.

Just telling it like it is said...

ummmm..Chef E...
Not everyone has experienced the same life you have...I might mention that it has been both one of triumph(in my eyes) and some devastation that I hope that I will never know.....
No one
No one has the right...
and that is all I got to say beautiful...some of us out there love you for the talented woman you are...big boobs and all!!!

Christo Gonzales said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Onmivore's Dilemma is in my stack to read, but I haven't gotten there yet.

We definitely do take learn from our folks, but I think it is possible to retrain yourself.

My main rule - eat only when hungary and finish when you're full. I try to control portions, but I don't restrict most items.