Resources

I wanted to have a page of resources for people to check out to learn more about issues related to our food system and sustainability because I believe that we all should be well-educated on these issues which directly impact us, our health, the planet, our futures. We should be informed consumers and very mindful of what we put into our bodies. You make a vote every time you purchase a food item or eat a meal. What's your vote going to be? For our industrialized food system that has countless detrimental effects on our health, the land, the environment, the workers, the animals, and so on; or do you want to support an alternative, more local and sustainable system with products that were grown or raised humanely, with proper care and attention, that will improve our health, as well as the health of those involved in production and the planet as a whole?  Think about it; but remember- you do have a vote and it can make a difference.

BOOKS
Below are lists of some of the books that I have personally read and highly recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about our industrialized food system, nutrition, health, sustainability, etc. There are so many great ones out there, but here is my top list based on what I have read.

1. Michael Pollan: "The Omnivore's Dilemma", "In Defense of Food", "Food Rules"
• I am a huge Michael Pollen fan and I highly recommend his books for everyone to read. He does a great job presenting the big picture of the issues with our current food system and advocates for 3 simple rules to live by: "Eat Food. Not to much. Mostly Plants." Well-said. 
2. Marion Nestle: "Food Politics", "What to Eat"
• Marion Nestle, a prominent Nutrition Professor at NYU, is another great writer and advocate for changes in our food system. In "Food Politics", she reveals the politics and competition behind the food industry, which goes to great lengths to persuade us to eat more and more food no matter what it does to our health or well-being. "What To Eat" is a great reference book about how to make sensible food choices, decipher labels and be an informed consumer in the supermarket. 
3. Annemarie Colbin: "Food and Healing" 
• Founder of NY's renowned Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health, Colbin is a true leader in the field of integrative nutrition. "Food and Healing" explores how our diet directly impacts our health (remember that old saying, "You are what you eat?"). This is a fascinating book, in which Colbin presents an in-depth account of the remarkable healing qualities of specific foods, how food affects our mood, the role of diet in preventing illness and much more. 
4. Nina Planck: "Real Food: What to Eat and Why"
• Planck is a great food activist who advocates for the return to old-fashioned "real" foods, as opposed to our current diet of highly processed industrial foods. Real Food is a thoroughly researched, well-written, and thought-provoking book that challenges dietary fads and defends the often demonized real foods, like butter, beef, raw milk, etc. 

BLOGS


Below are a list of blogs that expose the interrelatedness of our food system, the environment and our health, and explore sustainable alternatives. Again, there are a ton of blogs like these out there and I continue to find new ones everyday, but these are the ones that I check up on pretty regularly to keep myself informed on these issues.

1. Hopkins' Center for a Livable Future's Blog: http://www.livablefutureblog.com/
2. Sustainable Food Blog: http://food.change.org/
3. Marion Nestle's Food Politics Blog: http://www.foodpolitics.com/
4. Eco-Centric Blog about Food, Water & Energy: http://www.ecocentricblog.org/
5. Civil Eats: http://civileats.com/
6. The Ethicurean: Chew the Right Thing: http://www.ethicurean.com/
7. Take Part- Inspiration to Action: http://www.takepart.com/news
8. The Daily Green: http://www.thedailygreen.com/
9. HuffPost Green: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/green/
10. Grist: http://www.grist.org/

FOOD/COOKING BLOGS

Ever wonder where I get my inspiration for my meals? Well, here's my secret. I LOVE reading other food blogs and searching the internet for new ideas and recipes. Here are some of my favorite:

1. Tastespotting: http://www.tastespotting.com/
2. Fresh 365: http://www.fresh365online.com/
3. Culinate: http://www.culinate.com/home
4. Eating Well: http://www.eatingwell.com/
5. 101 Cookbooks: http://www.101cookbooks.com/
6. My New Roots: http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/
7. Making Love in the Kitchen: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/
8. FoodPornDaily: http://foodporndaily.com/
9. Simply Recipes: http://simplyrecipes.com/
10. FoodGawker: http://foodgawker.com/