I’m studying at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City. It’s a truly remarkable school in that they teach you a lot of different diet theories. Every speaker we’ve had has been amazing (and thoroughly convincing). These are people at the top of their field. And they all have a different opinion – many of them conflicting. I feel more confused than ever about what to eat. One thing IIN stresses is bio-individuality. There is no diet that will work for everyone. I think that’s important to keep in mind. However, being of the more black-and-white persuasion, I just want someone to tell me what the ‘right’ diet is. There might not be an 
answer that is true across the board, but I think Mark Bittman is a great place to start. His book Food Matters covers all the topics I have recently come to hold dear to my heart. He makes recommendations on sane eating which benefit the environment and our health simultaneously. He personally has decided to eat vegan until 6pm. In the evening, he eats whatever he likes. I find his balanced approach refreshing. He even includes recipes in the back, and a sample menu for a month (I love that!). Many of them are master recipes that can be tweaked depending on the season and what’s fresh. MB, you may be my next MP. It’s a short book. Read it for yourself. For those of you who might not get to it soon, here are 2 cliff notes in video form. Who needs cable when you can find all this interesting stuff on the web?
Here’s a follow-up from last week: Eating locally in winter. Considering my husband hates winter squash and I’m not a huge fan of rutabagas, I redefined ‘local during the winter in Massachusetts’ to be a more moderate ‘not imported from another country.’ Until I came across a couple sites of people in New England who have committed to eating locally once a week. I was impressed Barbara Kingsolver would try local in VA, but these people are like Barbara on steroids. Check out some of the meals – pictures included! After meeting so many local suppliers last week, I’m pretty sure it is not only feasible, but tasty. What’s my excuse?
MB is getting quite a following
I haven’t even read the book yet and I agree!
Go you for eating local. I’m struggling to eat local or not eat produce. It seems to hard to come by around here…but maybe I’m not looking hard enough. I guess I’d just rather eat imported fruit than junk food at this point. We should both keep in mind: one step at a time. We’re not going to completely change our diets overnight.
(PS I love reading your blog)
in one of the videos, MB talks about how he and MP diverge about the locavore issue. if it’s a choice between junk food and imported produce, definitely go with the produce! for me, buying local is about encouraging us as a country to grow our own food again. then there’s also the issue: is an organic strawberry from CA better, or a local ‘conventional’ apple?
you’re right. one step at a time…