Welcome back to an Omnivore’s Deduction – part 2 – my continued thoughts on Michael Pollan’s book An Omnivore’s Dilemma.
An Omnivore’s Deduction – Part 2
7. Pay more, eat less.
Actually I’m doing this already without even trying. Shopping for the week, two measly pounds of tomatoes cost over
seven dollars! Ouch! I swear the same two pounds were just four bucks last week. Maybe it’s time to plant some seedlings (see #10).
8. Eat a wide diversity of species.
Now, this one is a bit confusing because there are studies that support people who tend to eat the same things eat less and maintain a good weight. I can’t find the link, but I know I read this somewhere.
My friend Anne has never varied from her healthy trim self for the twenty years I’ve known her. Every single morning she has
oatmeal. Then for lunch, it’s a yogurt. For dinner she goes wild and mixes it up. Maybe that’s enough to qualify for ‘wide diversity.’ Anne’s way of eating handily solves the Omnivore’s Dilemma, which is “What to eat?” when there are too many choices.
9. Eat food from animals that eat grass.
This would include bunny rabbits and horses but we won’t go there.
10. Cook and, if you can, grow some of your own food. Cooking and growing your own food is the only way to guarantee you know exactly what is going into your body plus you burn more calories per meal through the effort!
My husband and I cook 95% of our meals, and,therefore, we all benefit. If I were the only cook in the family it wouldn’t work. It takes some work, planning and commitment but my family is healthier for it. I’ve often wished for a vegetable garden. My sister and brother-in-law who own Alpacas in Wildcat Hollow, have always grown a significant amount of their vegetables. They really do taste better.
11. Eat meals and eat them only at tables. Sounds reasonable enough and generally in the Aletta household we do well. In fact we are one of only a few families I know that actually uses the dining room for dining most days of the week. Sometimes, it is so hard, especially when you have the TV right there so handy, and the coffee table is right there in front of it and it’s just you and the kids because your husband is playing mid-life basketball athlete at the ‘Y’ AND “Legally Blond” is on for Pete’s sake!
12. Eat deliberately, with other people whenever possible, and always with pleasure. A friend sitting across from me at a dinner party commented on how slowly I ate, “You are always the last to finish, Elvira.” Yes, I eat verrry slowly.
My Dad was a table manners Nazi (forgive me, Dad, but it’s true) so concentrating on how I cut my food (smaller than bite size), spear it on my fork (tines down) and all that was drilled into me, as were good posture (shoulders back!) and the love of early morning forced marches, uh… I mean hikes. And naturally I pass these great traditions on to my kids.
Anyway, eating slowly is good for digestion, encourages conversation, especially if you take the time to put your fork down between bites, and brings out deep pleasure in the meal. Which pretty much covers my take on #12. EXCEPT…
13. Saying grace is a tradition that bears resurrecting if it’s lapsed in your household or, if you live with a family of wolves who can’t wait for a prayer to dig in, say it silently to yourself. And I will pass this little bit of wisdom I read in Fit From Within, by Victoria Moran. Try saying a little prayer at the end of the meal. She suggests, “The meal is ended, go in peace.” Sound familiar? Yeah. It really is a sweet way to express appreciation for the bounty provided by our Mother Nature.
