i'm reading this book.

and annoying my husband in the process.

but oh my goodness, i am learning so much about food. i think this book was a huge influence on my dad going vegan a few years ago. at the time, he really pushed it but since he's always pushing some fabulously interesting thing (whether it's about gardening or sprouting or theodore roosevelt or the latest political column from the washington post), i didn't take him too seriously. sorry, bob. now, however, i am eating this stuff up! (pun not intended.) the book is intended for people who want to lose weight healthily (this includes me, as size 1 and i are no longer speaking--), but the first half is really just filled with excellent sources, including NUMEROUS scientific studies, many of which are references to the now well-known China Study. referring to it, fuhrman says over and over that rates of virtually all kinds of cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and other significant health problems which are at present, endemic in the United States, are virtually non-existent in China, particularly in the more rural areas which are least influenced by western diet. And it's all because they eat, as Michael Pollan says, "food. not too much. mostly plants." you should read it! personally, i'm pretty convinced (like i wasn't before!!) that the atkins diet is not the way to go... and that the less animal proteins we consume the healthier our bodies and the safer and better off our animals (the ones that live and die). not to mention that it's more sustainable and kinder to this good earth of ours.

i highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in improving general health, losing weight, and learning about how the politics of food have made america fat and sick, just like poor bessie.