What I'm Reading Now...

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Never has a book so altered my life's choices as this one. That may sound dramatic, especially considering the title, but it's true. Recently, I have been inspired by all things natural and organic. Basically, I have been inspired to return to a simpler life with less-processed foods; a return to whole foods. (And no, I'm not talking about the store.)

In Defense of Food is a treatise written by Michael Pollan on the benefits of food and eating. One may wonder why either of these things would need explicating or defending, but in a world of processed, food-like substances and food industry lobbyists, it is wholly necessary. Pollan basically argues three things: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" (1). He goes on to describe what each of those tenets mean to the average person fighting his/her way through the grocery aisles in search of what to have for dinner. Along the way he introduces and discusses ideologies like nutritionism (not so good) and organic (not as benign as you may think). The result is an eye-opening experience laden with practical advice. So, if you are looking for a book that is more than just a good read, try taking a look at In Defense of Food. You might just have a life-altering experience (or at the very least, learn what it means to truly eat healthily).

Michael Pollan is an award-winning journalist and author whose writing focuses primarily on gardening and food. Pollan's other works include The Botany of Desire: A Plant's Eye View of the World and The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. You may read more about Michael Pollan here.