Quotes (Review to follow): p.10 "That such a diet [the Western diet:] makes people sick and fat we have known for a long time. Early in the twentieth cQuotes (Review to follow): p.10 "That such a diet [the Western diet:] makes people sick and fat we have known for a long time. Early in the twentieth century, an intrepid group of doctors and medical workers stationed overseas observed that wherever in the world people gave up their traditional way of eating and adopted the Western diet, there soon followed a predictable series of Western diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. [...:]though the precise causal mechanisms were (and remain) uncertain, these observers had little doubt these chronic diseases shared a common etiology: the Western diet."
p.31 "Like so many ideologies, nutritionism at bottom hinges on a form of dualism, so that at all times there must be an evil nutrient for adherents to excoriate and a savior nutrient for them to sanctify. [...:] It goes without saying that such a Manichaean view of nutrition is bound to promote food fads and phobias and lar...ge abrupt swings of the nutritional pendulum."
I could easily fill up my review space with more quotes, but that would not do the book justice. Pollan's arguments for eating food, real food, are well defined and painfully clear. On our own journey to be socially, economically, and environmentally responsible (not to mention healthy), we had arrived to many of the same conclusions in the last two years as the author had in the course of his study. It was very helpful to read a book so well researched and articulated; it gave me a vocabulary with which to communicate my convictions to others and a valuable resource of studies to affirm that we are on the right path.
This book is well written, intelligent, and inoffensive in its approach of the topic of food, the food industry, and health. Read it, then pass it on!...more
Amazing recipes! Now I just have to learn how to make them! I love the fact that this series of cookbooks are bilingual so that if I have questions, IAmazing recipes! Now I just have to learn how to make them! I love the fact that this series of cookbooks are bilingual so that if I have questions, I can ask a native Chinese for help. :)
(Note: Chinese characters used are traditional, so this may make things a bit difficult for native Chinese to read the book. This will not be a problem for native Taiwanese, however.)...more
What a fun book! This cookbook has a huge variety of recipes; American, French, Indian, etc - they'll all peak your interest. Some take a little prepaWhat a fun book! This cookbook has a huge variety of recipes; American, French, Indian, etc - they'll all peak your interest. Some take a little preparation, but most are simple to throw together.
If you want a cookbook with the largest variety of recipes possible that are very easy to follow, you should check it out....more
I can't wait to try this book out! I've been trying to find a cookbook that covers Taiwanese style cuisine for several years - ever since a visit to TI can't wait to try this book out! I've been trying to find a cookbook that covers Taiwanese style cuisine for several years - ever since a visit to Taiwan - and I'm very excited about experimenting with these recipes.
One thing I really like about the Wei-Chuan books is that the recipes are bilingual. I can take the book with me to my local Asian food markets and get help this way with unfamiliar ingredients. It's likely I'll change the rating after trying a few of these out.
NOTE: Lots of seafood recipes, so if that's not what you're looking for, you may either not want to try this book or may not enjoy a Taiwanese cookbook in general....more
A great book discussing what everyday eating habits can do for or against your overall health. I learned a LOT, and I come from a family of health carA great book discussing what everyday eating habits can do for or against your overall health. I learned a LOT, and I come from a family of health care workers.
Even if you choose not to go for the full plan, making the overall changes suggested will help you feel much better. My husband and I have been sleeping better, not crashing at the end of the day, and seen other improvements in our health (not "major" things, since doctors would already say we were healthy, but small changes, such as reduced blood pressure and blood sugar levels).
If you have health complaints that your traditional doctor can't seem to solve or you don't agree with the suggested treatment (ex: antibacterial ointment for acne), try this out. It's very likely that this minor problems are symptoms of some bigger nutritional problem....more
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