Hostas: A Study of Shadow and Light

no 62

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no 71

no 73

no 74

Book Find: In Defense of Food

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for this brilliant opening statement, but alas, I must credit it to Michael Pollan, author of my latest read: In Defense of Food – An Eater’s Manifesto.

A little more technical and scientific than Pollan's previous book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (see my thoughts on that one here), I found In Defense of Food a bit of a daunting read – at least in the beginning. The book is divided into three parts, each one interpreted and summarized by yours truly below:

PART I: THE AGE OF NUTRITIONISM
Part I introduces us to the term nutritionism – an ideology that, in a nutshell, reduces food to its nutritional and chemical components – and how in the past few decades, food has disappeared from our supermarkets and kitchen tables to be replaced by a myriad of macro and micronutrients: we don’t eat steak, we eat protein and iron (and no doubt many other things!); we don't eat carrots, we eat beta-carotenes; we don’t eat margarine, we eat ... whatever.

Pollan suggests that reducing food to its invisible nutrients has made us, the consumers, dependent on experts to tell us what’s good and what’s bad. Authority on what consists of a healthy diet has shifted from Moms and elders everywhere to a group of scientists, politicians and food industry moguls, each one with their own agenda, most of them conflicting.

Where does this leave us as consumers? Anxious, confused and according to the author, “fatter, sicker and more poorly nourished” than before.

PART II: THE WESTERN DIET AND THE DISEASES OF CIVILIZATION
Part II explores the link between typical eating patterns and lifestyles of the Western world and typically Western diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Citing studies of isolated populations around the world not yet exposed to modern foods in comparison to adopters of the Western diet, the author leads us to the conclusion that a) soon after adopting a Western diet Western diseases will follow, and b) the industrialization of food has sacrificed much in quality in what we eat to produce longer shelf lives and higher yields.

Pollan walks us through five major changes resulting from this industrialization and some of their effects, ranging from the decline of nutrients in crops (according to a USDA study of 43 crops tracked since the 1950s, vitamin C comes in at -20%, iron at -15% and calcium at -16%) to the undermining of traditional food cultures.

Although somewhat depressing, Part II offers one ray of hope: ill effects of the Western diet can be reversed without going back to the primitive lifestyle of our ancestors, we just need to follow a few rules. Segue to Part III...

PART III: GETTING OVER NUTRITIONISM
This was by far my favourite part of the book. Here, Pollan comes full circle and through 24 practical tips, demystifies his brilliant opening statement, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Expanding on down-to-earth advice such as Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food (his description of great-grandma's apprehension faced with a tube of Go-Gurt Portable Yogurt cracked me up - "Is it a food or a toothpaste?"), Regard nontraditional foods with skepticism, and Eat meals, the author offers us a relatively easy out to typical Western eating patterns and their negative effects.

Part III left me feeling hopeful and desperately craving a plentiful, boisterous meal shared with friends and family.

Once again I was pleased with Pollan’s writing style and delivery. Although I found this a more difficult read than The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I recommend it if only for the practical advice offered in Part III. That part alone just might convince me to make In Defense of Food a permanent part of my personal library.

Notable Running Feats

Hats off to Bro-in-Law who ran Marathon #13, his second in two weeks, yesterday at Ottawa Race Weekend!

And hats off to Sis who ran her first 10K two weeks ago in Mississauga!

You guys rock!

!!!

Just Playin' ...

backyard canopy

intoxicating I

forget-me-not

backyard jungle

twisted shadows

intoxicating II

Two Sweet Worlds

Just two years ago - almost to the day - I sat out on the patio at my favourite coffee shop writing about how I felt out of place, wondering how I would fit in with the urban crowd. Only a few months in my downtown apartment, freshly on sabbatical, I had no clue what the next year would bring. This afternoon I returned to my old stomping grounds and I've no doubt that I managed to carve myself a place as an urbanite. I felt quite at ease sitting in that same coffee shop rereading my thoughts captured in a spiral notebook that uncertain day.

I miss my old place sometimes. I miss its proximity to the energy of downtown, the patios of Elgin Street and the Canal. Sitting there today felt odd at first, like revisiting a love lost after the break-up, but after the first sip of coffee it felt good.

It's comforting to know that I can go back, get my fix and come home to a place that's different, but just as sweet. I write this post sitting in my shady front porch, enjoying the birds and the breeze. Cassie is curled up at my feet and I look forward to a tasty BBQ dinner of chicken and fresh asparagus with D. It seems like today I get to enjoy the best of two worlds; what more can a girl ask for?

A Home Vacation

After feeling out of whack again and finding myself pining for my sabbatical daily, I decided to re-try my experiment of going Back to Basics and gave myself permission to take a vacation last week, right here at home. Dismissing my to-do lists and perceived obligations, I set out to replenish a well gone dry. I ate, I drank, I loved, I walked, I slept, I was, and still am. And I feel so. much. better.

It's a long weekend, Mom's here from NB for a week with her girls, we're off to brunch in an hour; I've nothing but good things to look forward to. And wouldn't you know it? I even feel energetic enough to tackle a few items on the to-do list without griping. Three cheers for home vacations!

Public Art: Having our Say

"What does public art mean to you?" he asked, movie camera and foam-covered mike staring me in the face.

"Nothing too profound really. It means beauty, surprises, something that makes my stroll along a city street that much more enjoyable."

Ok so that might not be word for word what I said, but I do remember babbling the words "beauty" and "surprises". And in hindsight, did I sound like a total ditz? No matter. I digress.

In the process of reconstructing Wellington Street West, the city of Ottawa is commissioning a series of public art for installation in the Wellington Village and Hintonburg communities. Last night, as residents of one of those communities, we had a chance to have our say in the matter and help choose whose artwork would grace our streets. D. and I got to meet and chat with each of the five finalists and comment on their work. Not only did we get a preview of what could become a permanent part of our streetscape, we got to hear directly from the artists about their vision, inspiration and choices behind their designs. What a delightful experience!

And where do the camera and the babbling come in, you ask? As an interesting bonus, D. and I were interviewed by a local guy making a short documentary on the Hintonburg community (D. roped me into it). The guy, who makes films for a living, has been filming and interviewing residents at local events to eventually present a short film to City Hall's urban planning folks. In the meantime he'll be posting snippets on YouTube. I'll let you know if we make it up there - but only if my hair looks good. ;)

Ready for a Party

It's been a crazy week full of fun and exciting distractions that took me away from my writing; I thought I'd post a quick update to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking!

D. and I are busy prepping for tonight's Housewarming party. My Martha factor is coming out in spades, and for a while so was my crankiness in trying to get everything perfect (I'm sorry D.!). Perfectionism and vacuuming aside, I LOVE the process of prepping for a party: the food, the music, the décor. I take pleasure in finding the perfectly shaped plate to serve the Peperellos D. loves so much, in finding just the right shade of towel to pick up that funky hue in the powder room's Matisse print, or in finding the right-coloured napkins to complement the deep chocolate tablecloth.

What I look forward to the most though is the raison d'être for the preparations: welcoming friends and family into our home for sharing, laughter, and merriment. That my friends, is the biggest pleasure of all.

Party on!

Pondering ...

Simple Living, consumption, the environment and my role in the chain.

Bridal rituals past and present, their role in a woman's life, how I'd celebrate them differently a second time 'round.

What I'm going to serve our guests at next week's Housewarming party.

The importance of a supportive clan of women in my life.

The importance of a supportive clan of friends in my life - men included.

City vs. country living.

Reorganizing my time to include more writing and family history research.

Web 2.0, getting over my technophobia and cleaning up my digital files.

Career longevity, happiness at work, and finding a natural fit for my skills and interests.

Children, family and lifestyle.

The concept of an authentic, sustainable relationship where there are no Princesses or Prince Charmings, just two people choosing to be who they are together.

Running Update

Running goal for this week: 3 x 1-4's (1 minute walking / 4 minutes running)

Running status: one down, two to go

I hope the weather holds out. I'm a fair-weather runner, I don't like going out in the cold rain.

Back to Basics

During the past few weeks I’ve felt scattered, cranky and overwhelmed. I’d become someone I didn’t want to be; I caught myself wishing a lot, feeling envious, seeking happiness in things or people around me instead of seeking it within myself.

When I didn’t find what I was looking for I escaped in what felt like a perpetual to-do list, trying to at least feel productive if not fulfilled. That only resulted in a false sense of urgency that left me frazzled, and D. the poor victim of my incessant nagging.

It became unmanageable.

This week, in an effort to regain some much needed balance I decided to go back to basics: eat well, get adequate sleep, journal and exercise. By cutting back on my commitments and expectations I’ve created the space to focus on things I really want to do: reflect, read, write and be. The to-do list is still there, but its perceived urgency has subsided. I’m starting to feel and act like my normal self again.

Basics are the foundation prerequisite for life’s extras. When they’re lacking I just don’t function well. When they’re there, I feel comfortable with who I am and capable of becoming who I want to be. I guess I was duped by their simplicity. Easily taken for granted, they are not to be underestimated.