The Omnivore's Dilemma
As Labour day weekend approaches and you’re sending the children off to school with a spry wink and a nudge, your mind may be turning to thoughts of self-indulgence and a little quiet time for yourself. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year… but I digress. It IS time to look forward to some books worth reading and I have just finished one written by Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. (non-fiction).
I have to say that it was a wonderful read, and brought together by one of the best literary food journalists that I’ve come across in a long time. Michael discusses how North Americans deal with food on a daily basis: how we perceive it, enjoy and and where we eat it. He brings to the table arguments about why North Americans are overweight while still being a society completely OBSESSED with weight. The book follows his adventures through the industrial food markets (supermarkets and McDonald’s), organics food markets (Whole Foods and Earthbound Greens), and self-foraged dinners (his own dinner made entirely from foraged product including a Wild Californian Boar).
What makes this whole book so interesting are the facts he brings to light, some horrifying, some that just make you shout out YES! EXACTLY! He doesn’t pass judgment on anything but rather leaves it up to the reader.
One of my favourite parts of the book is all about Organics and the people who are fringe followers and how uneducated many of the buyers are who source out the trendy labels in a market, ie: Free range, and Hormone Free. Not to say they are wrong or bad people, but just that they are being very much deceived by Store, Brand and Food Marketers. Remember, these people are in it for the dollar, not for your health. That’s what a doctor is for.
Oh my, I could just go on and on, it is a great book. Make some time to read it, a GREAT book for Book clubs because the discussions would be pretty intense.
Enjoy your Labour Day weekend, and remember friends,
“Mosquitoes remind us that we are not as high up on the food chain as we think.” Tom Wilson (actor, writer, comedian)