Hi guys! Before you read this (if anyone actually reads my notes), I just want to make sure you know that I'm not at all trying to be pushy. I really really care about this, and sometimes I get a little out of control about it. If you get annoyed or just don't want to read anymore, skip to the bottom for a list of books, articles, and interesting things I learned. I'm sharing with you because I feel like I can't NOT tell you. This note is about food books that I think have really valuable information. And, since we all eat.....
First off, I've been a vegetarian for almost 2 years. Here's why...... I read a book. I woke up too early one Saturday, read Skinny Bitch in a few hours, and SNAP! I was a vegetarian. I just decided. And, that was that. This book pushes a vegan diet, and, at the time, I was completely turned off by that. What did hit me, though, was the small section about the horrible conditions in slaughterhouses.
Face it. We all know what happens at a slaughterhouse. Animals are, well, slaughtered. Think about the word "slaughter." Not exactly warm and fuzzy, right? Okay, I'm not going to go into the details. I'm very tempted. I'll just say it's a lot worse than I imagined and, from what I've read, it's not always regulated the way it should.
That was it for me. I'm not saying it was easy. Thanksgiving was hard. I almost cheated and had some ham. I still crave meat all the time. The smells from friends' plates make me salivate a little. Steak, burgers, chicken nuggets, ham sandwiches.....all delicious. I won't deny that, but I could never kill an animal and I don't trust the sanitary regulations when other people do the dirty work for me. Luckily, though, I already had a love for vegetables. I mean L-O-V-E. Do you know about me and broccoli? Yep, it's pretty serious.....we're gonna make it.
After reading Skinny Bitch, I read a few articles here and there about vegetarian eating. I read a lot of cookbooks, too! I tried to read Fast Food Nation, but I'm pretty sure I didn't finish it. This year, though, I've become a maniac about food. I can't get enough information. I've pestered Evan, a few family members, and now I'm coming for YOU! Just kidding....kind of.
My next three books were Detox, In Defense of Food, and No More Bull. Let me explain how I ended up with these. First, I got a library card (which resulted in books stacked everywhere in our apartment), and second, I started hearing all these people talking about the Master Cleanse. I was disappointed that they didn't have the Master Cleanse book at my library on my first visit, but instead, I came home with Detox and In Defense of Food. What I got from these books is basically what we've all heard a million times - you are what you eat. Duh.
You know how sometimes you understand something, but you don't get it? Well, I got it that day. What we put into our bodies not only affects our energy levels, our size/shape, our amount of time spent in the bathroom.....food also affects our moods. And, a lot of what we (Americans, anyway) eat isn't really REAL FOOD!
What do you mean? Not real food? How dare she say I'm not eating real food! Have you ever noticed that there are no advertisements in the produce section? Lists of vitamins....enriched....good source of blah de blah blah...nothing. The vegetables sit there quietly. We know they are good for us. And, they know we know. (We know, they know, we know?) Okay, but go down the other aisles and they are screaming at us - Good source of protein, daily serving of Fiber, Vitamin C, D, F, Z, K, #, %, &, *, $, builds strong bones, heart healthy......
o⋅ver⋅com⋅pen⋅sate
[oh-ver-kom-puh
n-seyt] verb, -sat⋅ed, -sat⋅ing. to exhibit psychological overcompensation; strive to overcome a sense of inferiority
Okay, that's enough of that. If you don't care about any of this at least think about reading In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. No disgusting slaughterhouse stories (that I remember). It's just about deciding; What exactly is Real Food?
Sorry, got a little bit off of the point. I'm back now and I hope you're still here too. A few months ago, I decided to conduct an experiment. I wasn't going to eat processed for a week. I concluded that processed food was anything that came with a label. I did make a few adjustments to allow brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and Hummus from a mix - which, at my Kroger anyway, all come in beautifully designed packages. Okay, and a teensy bit of feta cheese the first day! Geez!
My week turned into three weeks and here's why. It felt great! I was in a great mood all the time and I had so much energy. I noticed the things that normally made me cranky and annoyed just floated away from my mind. Energy? I had so much energy, I couldn't sit still to watch a half hour sitcom! And, I finally tore a tag off a pair of (let's say snug) pants that I have had in my closet for a year (yes, I'm that person). I was exercising too, but not a serious amount. Everyday, I walked/jogged 2 miles. So, it was barely even half an hour. The point is - IT WAS AWESOME!
My latest read was No More Bull. This one is written by a Montana rancher who, at age 55, became a vegan. Now, seriously, when someone who grew up on a farm, raising animals for food doesn't want to eat them anymore, somethings got to be up. The book starts off talking about mad cow disease - another thing I understood but didn't get until now- but broadens out to talk about all animal products and how agricultural chemistry experiments are changing the make-up of our food. He talks about the links animal-based foods (including dairy guys!) have to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even Alzheimers! Eek! Here's the fact guys - Cholesterol comes from animal-based foods. Cholesterol->clogged arteries->heart problems->medical bills->surgery->ba dum, ching.
I'm going to stop....and I didn't even get started on milk! I'm sure you're relieved. If you've made it this far - Thank You! I'm gonna say it again. I'm NOT trying to be pushy. Whatever you decide to eat is your choice, but I hope that it is an informed choice. I absolutely do not think I know everything. I'm not vegan (yet) and I still occasionally eat fish. I just really care about this subject and would feel very irresponsible if I didn't share it.
Reading list:
Detox by Denise Whichello Brown
Articles:
Interesting Facts:
• The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 ounces of meat (fish, shellfish, poultry without the skin, and trimmed lean meats) per day. They offer no suggested limitations on meat substitutes such as dried beans, peas, lentils or tofu.
• Milk might not do a body good. It might be causing (vs. eliminating) more cases of osteoporosis. "The acid and protein from the meat and dairy products damage the bone tissues, thus causing calcium and other bone materials to be lost through the kidneys." Dr. John McDougall from No More Bull
• It's all about Corn. Even if you don't eat corn, you're being corn-fed. King Corn
• Antibiotics in our food. Corn-fed beef>feedlots>fat lazy unhealthy cattle>antibiotics>Big Mac with 2 all-beef antibody patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.
If you have articles to share, please do! I want to know what you're reading and what you think!
Avery
