a must-read for the conscious eater!
The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan is probably one of the most influential books in my life to date. The title refers to the fact that humans are physically capable of eating just about anything. Once we accept that anything can be food, then the question becomes, “What should we be eating?” Along these lines, one section of the book details the author’s internal debate about whether or not he should eat meat. He really likes meat and does not want to give it up, but he feels compelled to explore the issue so that he can either choose to be morally comfortable eating meat or to let it go. The book does a great job of presenting arguments on both sides, and the author eventually comes to his own decision without implying that it should be every reader’s decision as well.
The book is organized around discussions of where our food comes from, and several different scenarios are explained in depth. The story starts with corn, that grain/vegetable that has taken over our American food chain in ways that most people hardly realize. Just when the reader is feeling like nothing is safe to eat anymore, Pollan gives some hope by moving on to organic foods, and then pasture-raised meats. On the other end of the spectrum, he talks of foraging for mushrooms and hunting wild boar. Each section culminates with a meal that the author prepares, using only foods from that aspect of the food supply.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a must-read for those who wish to eat consciously in our modern world. It has completely changed the way I shop for food. The book may be purchased in my store by clicking on The Omnivore’s Dilemma.