The Holy Grail of Eating Guides



The dieting season has arrived and whether you are ready or not, prepare to be bombarded with infomercials, print ads, and book displays pushing new food fads and meal plans in your face.  Afterall, there is no better time than the beginning of the year to start a fresh.  A new year, a new you, right?  Well, it certainly is the best time of year for the diet industry and author's alike to reap the benefits of the "new year, new you" philosophy.

I was in BORDER'S this morning and I was absolutely horrified by the sea of brightly colored books flashing the same message in various fonts and titles.  I instantly felt sad for the average American looking for a new year's diet plan. Are we just viewed as a bunch of suckers in need of a new diet book to set us straight on the road to health?  It is true that as Americans we have lost our way with food, and now we must be told what to eat in order to lose weight and be healthy.  And it is sad to say that just looking at the busy BORDER'S book display only contributes to the confusion around food and eating.

So luckily, after perusing the display after several minutes, my eyes fell upon a small and simple book, a copy of Michael Pollan's latest writing Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. Michael Pollan's name was enough for me to reach for the final copy.  I knew before reading the back of the book or flipping through the pages that I would buy it.  Let's get serious...Michael Pollan books are like the holy grail of eating.  After reading In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma, I know what to expect -- books that are not flashy, but simple in design and writing that is intelligent, direct and witty.

Food Rules highlights 64 rules around eating and along the way brings us back to the basics, simplifying what has become a complex world of food. Pollan doesn't tell you what to eat or how to eat, but he makes suggestions that you will want to follow rather than feel forced to follow. For instance, rule #36 says, "Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk," and #51 says, "Spend as much time enjoying the meal as it took to prepare it.

I genuinely believe that Food Rules will help alleviate any anxiety surrounding a new year's eating resolution. It will remind you of what you should already know about food.  So as we enter 2010, if it is just a little guidance that you are looking for this book will set you straight, feeding you full of priceless advice that will last a lifetime.

2 comments:

monicaonthego.com said...

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize he had a new book out. I will check it out for sure.

Rebecca said...

I've been wanting to check out his new book! Sounds great.

About Me

Christine
New York City
Welcome! My name is Christine and I have landed here to share my love of healthy living and eating. I live in NYC where I am currently enrolled in the School of Integrative Nutrition. I am already certified as a holistic health coach and I have started seeing clients to help them reach their wellness goals. I started hot mama health to share the idea that it is fun to be healthy! Health is an adventure with endless foods to taste, exercises to explore, and challenges to meet! If you do not already feel this way, I hope that I can bring you into the light or at least stir a little inspiration here and there.
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