I’m sitting in my doctor’s waiting room this morning while they test my glucose levels, via hourly blood draws, to make sure I don’t have gestational diabetes. Apparently I have “roller veins” which are difficult to stab at, so the morning started out a little rough but things have improved each time. More to the point, these tests require a 12-hour fast prior to the first draw and then no food or drink during the 3-4 hour testing period, other than the 10 oz. of sugar water you have to slam at the start. It is safe to say I have food on my mind (as does Poco, who seems to be ticked off and doing more acrobatics than usual), so I thought I’d recommend a few books and videos I’ve read/seen over the last several months which have influenced my thoughts about eating, or explain better than I can why I choose to be a vegetarian.
- In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
I picked up this book after it was selected for Go Big Read at UW–Madison, only to discover I had been quoting the author for years after reading an excerpt entitled “Unhappy Meals” in the New York Times. Pollan’s synopsis is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” and the book explains why in detail. Highly recommend reading it, or the excerpt from the Times. - Food, Inc.
A movie about what Americans eat, and how it’s produced. One of the big reasons I don’t eat meat is because of the hormones, antibiotics and genetic modifications routinely associated with commercially-raised farm animals. This video explores some of these concerns, the unpleasant conditions animals are typically exposed to, and the pressure put on farmers by Big Ag (Monsanto in particular, does not fare well in this film) to use the latest and greatest chemicals. A must-see. Trailer - Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
The account of a 30-year-old, on-again/off-again vegetarian who decides to explore his eating choices more thoroughly as he enters fatherhood in order to make better choices for himself and his new family. I thought some of his writing was a little over-the-top, but there are plenty of eye-opening, inarguable truths in this book which will make you stop and think. Also interesting because he criticizes some of Pollan’s work (although in the grand scheme of things they share far more similarities than differences.) - The Cove
Award-winning, uber-disturbing movie about dolphin fishing in a cove in Taiji, Japan, and the measures former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry (who trained dolphins for the show “Flipper”) is willing to go to, to put a stop to it. Great information about the multi-billion dollar dolphin entertainment industry as well as the depletion of our ocean life and growing mercury levels. Forewarning: may make you think differently about Sea World, and, hopefully, some types of seafood. Trailer
All of these can be tough or frustrating to read/watch at times but in the end I believe awareness is better than ignorance when it comes to health.
Except when it comes to marshmallows.
