I'm no foodie, but.....

I love the author Michael Pollan – I’ve read “The Botany of Desire”, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”, and “In Defense of Food; An Eater’s Manifesto”. I’ve also seen Food Inc. and several more, equally disturbing documentaries shining a very unflattering light on “big food government” and the sorry state of our health as a result (corn, corn, corn!). About a year ago, I decided to eat more consciously. My Saturday morning shopping consists of hitting the Farmer’s Market for all of our produce (I love that we can have a year round market in the Bay Area!), then I go to Gene’s Fine Foods for our meat (shout out to Gene’s!). They sell only local, grass fed, humanely treated, cage free, antibiotic and hormone free animal products (yes I pay more for it, happy to do it). My last stop is Safeway – mostly for dry goods.

I think it is important to know what I am putting in my body, where my food comes from, what is IN it (you would be surprised how many items at the super market don’t even have real food products anywhere in their ingredients), how it effects the environment, etc. At the very least, I am supporting local farmers, encouraging the humane treatment of animals, and trying to keep the small stores in business who carry these quality items.

In the last few years, I have discovered a passion for cooking. I’m not a great chef, but I put in the effort, I love to try new things, and I love good food! If we go to our favorite mediterranean restaurant and try the Eggplant Borani and love it…I will attempt to make it at home. Feeding my family healthy, wholesome, and tasty meals that are consciously prepared, with high quality ingredients, is one of the ways I say “I love you!” Call me weird, but I’m like that. Rob claims he can "taste the love" (except on those few occasions when we have to order emergency take out)….but at least I try!

So what do I eat? Michael Pollan is the genius who gave me this credo:

"Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

*Food being actual food. If it’s not a fruit, vegetable, dairy, or animal - it should have no more than 4 or 5 ingredients on the label, otherwise, I’m suspicious!