Michael Pollan's Opinions on Food

I was lucky enough to turn on National Public Radio during their weekly Science Friday and hear an interview with author and "food opinionist" Michael Pollan. Pollan was discussing a book published in 2001, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, but hearing his interview reminded me of a book I would like to share with all my clints: Food Rules. Released earlier this year, Rules is more or less a ten commandments of eating. EB Nutrition's principles or more Organic and natural products and less food with a ton of ingredients can be summed up in a few of Pollan's "rules." For example,

1. It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. In other words, Coke, Cheetos, Big Mac. You get the picture.

2. If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't. Interpreted, this means eat more vegetables and whole grains and less food coming out of a package or bag.

To read more about Pollan's principles on food and eating, check out:

• The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World,
• The Ominivore's Dilemma,
• In Defense of Food, or
• Food Rules: An Eater's Manual.

And let us know what you think!

OPEN SESAME!

Some quick facts about these healthy, versatile seeds.
Oldest condiment, from India, 3000 BCE

NUTRIENTS:
Copper- reduces inflammation (74% of daily needs in ¼ cup)
Mg- respiratory benefits, CVD, menopause, sleep (31% of daily needs in ¼ cup)
Zinc- immunity booster
Calcium- reduces colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraines, and PMS symptoms (35% of daily needs in ¼ cup)
and...the phytosterols in sesame seeds help lower cholesterol.

• Sesame oil is resistant to rancidity
• Not a commonly allergic food
• Fine for low purine or goitrogenic-free diet, although sesame seeds do have some oxalates
• Good for skin and digestive system, apply topically or orally!
  

Delish uses:

• Add to cookies, breads, muffins
• With steamed broccoli with lemon juice
• Combine toasted seeds for salad dressing
• Spread tahini- a sesame seed paste- on crackers or bread. Tahini is known as, “The butter of the middle east.”
• Or, saute with chicken, tamari, garlic, ginger, and veggies.