Good Read

I just got done reading this great book called: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. This is the 'youth' edition and it says it's specifically written for kids, but it really didn't seem like a kids book to me. I don't know what the adult version is like, but if it's anything like his book "In Defense of Food" (which I also have read some of, but not all), it is probably a little too wordy for my taste. In this youth edition, he speaks in real people language, with no overabundance of flowery vocabulary, so it's reads easy and is down to earth.

The author, Michael Pollan is a journalist. This book follows him on a journey through our world of food, from "Industrialized" to "Beyond Organic". While you do get a sense for which type of food he prefers and supports, I still feel like he presents both sides and in between fairly well, without being too biased.

If you aren't too concerned about what kind of food you eat, this book probably won't interest you at all. If you are concerned and want to learn more about where your food comes from and how it is made, or if you want to make better choices in the types of food you eat, then I would definitely give this book a read. I loved it!

a great book

Our church women's group has a book club that meets once in a while. I have never participated in it because either I usually forget about it, or don't make the time or whatever. This month they wanted everyone to read a Christmas story so I thought that I would like to do that. I looked around on the computer at the library for some ideas and was somewhat distracted, as I usually am, because I am also trying to watch my kids to make sure they don't run off and get lost. So, this was the first book that caught my eye. I hurried to write the location down and went off. I am not a huge book worm, but I do enjoy reading a good story. This one was very easy for me to read. I found that it was very relevant to our day and age, right now. And I felt that I was able to relate to the characters in the story in a small way. It also really piqued my interest about the Amish people. I am very fascinated by their lifestyle and want to learn more about them. As I was reading, I found myself thinking....it could be really nice to live a more simple, basic lifestyle (I don't know about not having electricity though). I loved the sense of unity among the members of their community. I loved their humble spirit. And I really loved the portrayal of their hard work ethic. There are many times that (although I enjoy and am grateful for) the modern conveniences we have now, have led us (some, more than others) to become....a little lazy. (Yes, I am including myself here.) We just don't know how to really work, and work hard. Not everyone is like this, but many are. Many young people, especially.

There are times I wish for more simplicity. I daydream about moving away (not too far away) and having a small piece of land. Having quiet. Being away from all the hustle and bustle of the world. I have decided that I am very easily overwhelmed with life sometimes. There are so many things to do. Many of them are good things, but I wonder if they are all really necessary.

Anyway, here are a couple of thoughts that I pondered on as I read:

"As she headed back toward the Lutz house, she briefly pondered if it was truly possible to eliminate all desire to show off, even the tiniest bit." pg. 183

"Esse quam videri" (means: "to be, rather than to seem") I really loved that.