Food Matters

Have you ever read a non fiction book expecting to skim parts simply to search for the main tidbits? That's what I thought would happen while reading a recent library copy of Mark Bittman's Food Matters. Well, I couldn't be more wrong, and honestly, I shouldn't be that surprised since I am a big Bittman fan.

I am finding this book to be well written, easy to navigate, right on, and of course, content-wise, fascinating. Bittman basically argues that to live a more healthy lifestyle both personally and environmentally, we should cut down on the meat and junk food we consume and eat more plant based foods. Personally I love this concept. As a food lover who has auditioned the role of pescetarianism, I could get into this concept. Now Bittman isn't saying he doesn't enjoy a juicy piece of steak every now and then with crusty bread and wine, he is saying limiting your meat intake may provide a healthier lifestyle. 

There are so many interesting concepts that come into play, such as how meat production is completely over produced and over consumed, and creating a huge drain on the environment. He also discusses the over abundance of corn production and the influx of high fructose corn syrup found in processed foods. 

His advice is to look at packages and try to choose foods that contain five ingredients or less. Stock your fridge with plenty of fresh produce and look for true whole grains and proteins like legumes and beans.

Now, I'm not ready to be a strict pescatarian or vegetarian, in fact, I can't wait to heat up my leftover turkey meatballs for dinner (and I am currently day-dreaming about a juicy steak as I write this), but I do want to be more cognizant about what I consume and try to make healthy and informed decisions. 

To kick off my influx of veggies I made this vegetable egg scramble featuring a few vegetables I picked up at Z Food Farm a New Jersey  organic farm stand. My egg scramble featured sauteed fennel, baby eggplant, pattypan, yellow pepper, upper cress, and one egg with salt and papper. It was fresh and satiating. Go veggies!