The Omnivore's Dilemma

[moe flam]

I just finished this book (via audible.com, via ipod...), and is completely fascinating take on our modern food machine. It covers how food became so industrialized, how marketing spins food (ie: 'free range' means a small door in the corner), how government subsidized corn is industry's best friend, etc.

"The subtitle of his book is "A Natural History of Four Meals," which is Pollan's way of describing his exploration of four types of food that eventually terminate in some kind of human meal: food that he himself grew and hunted; organic or "alternative" food (found at farmer's markets); industrial-organic foods (much of the stock at Whole Foods); and industrial, or processed, food (the snack or cereal aisles at Safeway)."

"...perhaps Dr. Robert Atkins had been right all along: Carbohydrates, not fats, were the cause of America's obesity problem.

Almost overnight, in Pollan's estimation, bakeries went out of business, dinner rolls in New York restaurants went the way of the pterodactyl, and pasta became regarded as a toxin.

"These foods were wonderful staples of human life for thousands of years," Pollan told Truthdig, "and suddenly we've decided that they're evil. Any culture that could change its diet on a dime like that is suffering from an eating disorder, as far as I can see."

Interview with the author

[miftah]

I've heard quite a bit about this book. My gf's brother and father were all about it. It apparently has some none-too-pleasant things to say about the beef industry. I don't care. I don't need to borrow trouble.

I do know that I've eaten organically-grown and it doesn't taste as good. I know the ag industry in general has some rather conspicuous morals when it comes to quality control. I don't care. If its not poisonous, and there is no evidence to suggest that it is, I don't care. The hotdog I'm eating consists of lips and cow ass? They taste good. I don't care.

I eat more meat than anyone I know, and I don't need to eat much. I have a little bread here and there (usually a corner of my girl's slice) and I have salads about once a week or two. Other than that -- all meat and eggs. I have low cholesterol, pitch perfect blood pressure and I run without getting overly-taxed. I cannot for the life of me understand why I should change my diet. Colorectal cancer? Maybe. Frankly, I have a hard time trying to understand why I should think about my diet at all. The only time I do is when someone comes 'round with a book to sell.

[moe flam]

The hotdog I'm eating consists of lips and cow ass? They taste good. I don't care.

I guess that's the pivotal question, I do care. Having previously been a chef for 10 years, I have an investment in food knowledge and care in the preparation. The slant I took from the book wasn't so much a critique on this diet or that diet, but more of the modern industrial food complex, plus its effect on our economy.

Why do we ship 'organic' produce from Chile, when local farms can produce it? The organic relevancy loses steam when it has to be shipped 10,000 miles to get to your plate.

Why can't more farms be self-sustained (ie: broaden their products), rather than rely on subsidies from the government to basically lower corn costs, and then big-industry reaps the reward of lower costs, not the farmer.

Do people care any more that they know where their food comes from? Your response was interesting, because I was looking at it from my culinary slant. Maybe they don't. Or they want the nice stories that places like Whole Foods creates, to make them feel better about not 'really' wanting to know where their food comes from.

[bio]

Do people care any more that they know where their food comes from?

I'd say that for most people the following is the only truth:

[ironpants]

As far as beef goes, I'm not concerened with these issues. Let me explain...


Last year, I bought a whole beef at the youth auction here in Spokane. The beef was grown by a wonderful young woman from Ellensburg who spend a year taking the utmost in care of this animal. I was assured that either FFA or 4H checked in on this animal for hormones, maltreatment etc. Beyond that, I can assure you, show beef makes EXCELENT steaks!

If that wasn't good enough, I payed about $.50 on the dollar compared top retail for the beef AND the girl's parents don't have to invest in her first car as she could pay for it herself due to the sale. Now this did require me to purchace a deep freese for the beef, and it took a couple of days for the butcher to finish, but a year later, I'm still eating some of the best burgers on the planet.

Turns out, the youth auction in Spokane is about to start again out at the fairgrounds. For a family of 4, a whole beef will last about 2 years. I'd suggest shortcutting this whole discussion and go buy your beef from someone you can trust.

ROb

[Moxie]

That's a good way to do it, Ironpants. I would totally go for that if I didn't find beef that's been frozen lacking in flavour and all sad in texture. It's the only meat I *always* buy the day I want to eat it.

[bio]

It's the only meat I *always* buy the day I want to eat it.

Must..... resist.... gutter.... remark......



On a side note, if you like your meat fresh, may I suggest this book?

[ironpants]

It's the only meat I *always* buy the day I want to eat it.

Yeah, I do the same with fish...

[mudflap]

zing!

[miftah]

You men eat your dinner, eat your pork and beans
I eat more chicken, than any man ever seen