In Defense of Food

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Well, if you watched Oprah today Michael Pollan was one of her guests. He spoke about his new book, Food Rules, which is available this month. The book I will discuss is In Defense of Food. His whole book can be summed up with the first seven words..."Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

His whole book discusses how we as a society need to get back to the basics of food. Eating the "right" foods is key. Easier said than done you say, right. Not really. Some of his points are to eat foods your great grandmother would recognize (not the Go-gurts that the local supermarket sells). Eat foods with ingredients that a 3rd grader could pronounce. In our Western diet has been more concerned with nutrients instead of food and therefore we have become less healthy. We need to focus on consuming whole foods and staying away from refined foods, emphasize quality over quantity, and eating simple foods instead of complex. Easy, right? Of course.

The book can bog you down with science talk and for most people it can get extreme, but believe me, he has some fabulous points that everyone should take to heart. If everyone read this book and practiced just a few of his "rules" I think that peoples health would improve.

Well, In Defense of Food can be ordered through Amazon.com along with his most recent book, Food Rules. I am sure there will be a bundle discount if you purchase 2 or more of his books.

Happy Reading.

11 Books and Counting...

I finished my eleventh book today. I was going to pick one of the books I have read and review it, but I thought I would make a list of the 11 books and if someone wants a review or my opinion on a specific book I will do that.
This list is in the order I read the books (11 is the book I just finished)...
1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - Sherman Alexie
2. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
3. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan
4. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
5. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer
6. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
7. Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer
8. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
9. Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
10. Witch and Wizard - James Patterson
11. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

If I do not receive a request by Sunday (24 January 2010), then I will start at the top and work my way down.

Happy Reading.

Book Bargains...

Ok, I had a last minute change of blog topic. I thought instead of diving right in with a book review I would give you a few hints for shopping for books.
*This week Barnes & Noble is having their teacher appreciate days, save 25%.
*www.paperbackswap.com is a fabulous web site where you post books you no long want and people can request your books. You only pay to send your book via media mail. You earn credits books being requested from you and then you can use those credits to "buy" books.
*www.half.com, pretty much like ebay, but you can sometimes find good deals on books, but the postage can kill ya.
*My personal favorite, yard sale and garage sales. I love them. They are a great resource to buy books on the cheap, typically .25-$1 (depending on if the book is paperback or hard cover). I have been able to stock my classroom library using these sales.
*Some libraries have "Friends of the Library" sales a few times a year and you can get bags of books for a few dollars.

So, sometimes it pays to be a frugal shopper. Remember to check the wear and tear on a book, the smell (some people are smokers or have pets), highlighting, and possibly scribbles on the covers (especially in childrens books). There are deals to be had out there. Be patient and the book you are looking for may be out there at a cheaper price than the $14.99 book store price.

Happy Reading

New Year New Blog...

I thought I would change up my blogging topic. I havent been biten by the crafting bug lately, but I have been engrossed in books. So, my thought was to blog about the books I have read and am currently reading. This is just an idea so I am not sure how well it will take. My thoughts are since I have so many hobbies I wanted to share my love of them with anyone willing to take a peek.
Be prepared because since September I have read 10 books...mostly (90%) fiction, a variety of genres, and meant for different audiences. Please bare in mind that I am not an English professor so my take on the books are from a purely bibliophile (I just love to read) point of view.
So, sit back and read my blog and hopefully I will inspire you to pick up one of these incredible books and enjoy them as much as I have...for the most part.
Next blog will be a list of all 10 books including the authors, and possibly a book cover included.