An Apple a Day-Lit Review

I read this on the treadmill, over a couple of weeks- you can tackle a couple chapters in your half-hour of cardio if you can read and run/walk at the same time. And this book is about the easiest one to read if you are challenging your cerebellum by running and reading at the same time. Dr. Joe Schwarcz (author) is not a medical doctor, is an amateur magician and advocate for popularizing science- so the language is direct, simplistic and so tongue in cheek I couldn't help laughing, or at least 'chortling' between breaths on the run.
The tag-line is 'a must read for anxious eaters'- but don't let that deter you from reading it. On the contrary, if you believe food is just that- food, then pick this book up. Dr. Joe holds his doctorate in Chemistry- not medicine. So he talks about food in it's elemental form- and straight up sends the message to just 'chill' when it comes to what you eat. Make good choices, don't fret about organic too much, don't fall into the traps of modern advertising about this argument or that argument for or against fat content in your diet (as an example).
Structurally the book is unique- he devotes each chapter to a unique concept; for example, there is an entire chapter on Tomatoes. I love that we can all identify what a tomatoe is, so of course we get what that chapter will address. Further, he doesn't force his opinion, but rather discusses various research (including the sordid, and sometimes almost pop-culture drama of the researchers) about the different topics in the book. You can arrive at your own conclusion before he lays down his own. Never intrusive, and always thoughtful.
Pick this up and give it a go- especially if you have read any of Micheal Pollan's books. They come from very different points of view, and I find the differences between them very intriguing. Pollan talks about food as a whole, and the dangers of 'nutritionism' (breaking things down into parts) while Dr. Joe breaks it all down for us.
When read together, a balance is quite nice to behold mentally- and you can make up your own mind. Which is why we read anyway- right? None of us has ever read a book and then fallen head-over-heels with the prophet writer's works?
I did of course, when I read Brendan Brazier's Thrive Diet, directly after reading "An Apple a Day"- with unhealthy results (indicative, I think, of following anyone's word to the letter). But that, my friends, if for the next literature review.

Flexitarian

Flexitarian: a semi-vegetarian diet focusing on vegetarian food with occasional meat consumption (Wikipedia).
Also, see this Newsweek article.
I realized my first week on the 'Weekday Vegetarian" concept that I could not take it literally. I didn't feel like eating meat when Saturday came around, but on Wednesday I had a scallop spinach salad. Worry about when I was going to have my 'meat-meal' was similar to the damaging concept of having a 'treat meal'. Any meal plan that restricts me makes me batty; I have to have choice. I have to feel better for eating better, not like I 'have' to.
I love the way I feel, and the fact that my skin has totally cleared of any pimples and all eczema since reduced, dramatically, the amount of meat I eat.
Growing up in "I Love Alberta Beef"-land, I was raised on eating meat in at least 2 meals a day- lunch and supper. Let me tell you, since I've eaten meat only 1-2 times a week for the last while, I've not missed out on anything.
If you're looking at trying to reduce your meat intake, try asking yourself why you eat meat- is it a habit? do you enjoy it? And then ask yourself if you'd like to try something new.

Weekday Vegetarian

TreeHugger is a great site, I've got them updating me on Twitter on their articles around sustainability, eco-conservation action and otherwise greeny stuff.
A week ago they 'tweeted' that this article was posted- Try a Weekday Vegetarian Diet: Eat Green Food Without Taking the Plunge.
The concept of eating a Vegetarian meal schedule during the weekdays, and only eating meat on the weekends has been flirting with me ever since. Really, it's been like that hot guy you noticed (before you were married) out of the corner of your eye, looking and smiling at you, but you just can't look him in the eye. I thought on it, then mentioned it to my husband (who could sustain himself on steak alone and be blissful), and even questioned my sister-in-law about introducing meat into my nephews diet (he's only 6 months old and his parents eat meat, of course they will eventually).
Well, no sense thinking about it if I don't flirt back; so it's Monday, and I've made a conscious effort not to eat meat today. Here's what a weekday could (and might, if I continue working it) look like:
Breakfast: 6 egg whites, spinach, tomato and a bowl of oatmeal
Mid-morning meal: 3/4c kidney beans and rice, and steamed vegetables
Lunch (normally my post-workout): 1 Vega shake
Mid-afternoon meal: raw vegetables
Supper: steamed vegetables, and a salad or vegetable soup
Hmmmm...I'm going to play with this possibility.
For more on Weekday Vegetarianism, and it's benefits for Mother Earth, check out Shannon and Parsnip Spaceship's blog.