Within the first three pages, there are blunt sentences that just make you chuckle. Here are a few excerpts:"You cannot keep eating the same shit and expect to get skinny."
"Beer is for frat boys and not skinny bitches. It makes you fat, bloated, and farty."
"Brace yourself girls: Soda is Liquid Satan."
These are a few sentences that made me laugh and continue to read this book. After reading a couple serious novels, this book was a fun change.
Beyond the blunt humor of the book, the authors dissect the food industry, the government (FDA), and encourage readers to be smart consumers. The authors are very critical of the food industry and the government. After having read Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen, I understand that both books share in the criticism of our food industry today and how often money supersedes quality. The three big pushers to create bigger, better, faster that seeps into our food are antibiotics, hormones, and fertilizer.
I won't go into detail about the cattle/pig/chicken industries that are not organic because it is a little disgusting and both these books are good reads to research a little more about that. Let's just say that there are a few images that are stuck in my head. However, an interesting point that Freedman and Barnouin make is that the massiveness and power of the cattle industry play into the government. The cattle industry donates millions to political parties and, in turn, politicians are hesitant to fight against them. Also, the FDA and USDA are run by former cattle/pig/chicken ranchers who also don't want to prosecute their own people. As a result, you have easy restrictions placed upon meat. In addition, the huge bureaucracy of the food section of government cannot possibly deal with sending inspectors to every single cow/pig/chicken ranch. How do we know that our meat and dairy are good to eat?In Chapter 11 titled "Let's Eat", Freedman and Barnouin offer good organic choices as well as provides a list of artificial chemicals that are found in the ingredients of everything from crackers to granola bars to soda. I learned from watching Ellie Krieger on the Food Network (Healthy Appetite) that the most important practice for a consumer is to read the ingredients label. If the ingredients label includes ingredients that cannot be pronounced or are unknown to you, then don't buy it. Freedman and Barnouin follow the same principle.
Beyond promoting organic foods, one philosophy I did not expect from these authors is that they promote veganism. I really did not expect this upon picking up the book, so it was a nice surprise. I have a couple vegetarian friends, including one pesco-ovo-lacto brother-in-law. But, I have one vegan friend. And, although he doesn't make a big deal about it, it must be difficult because he cooks at home all the time. I just never thought it was a practical way to live because a lot of effort has to go into it. And, even more has to be given up...no sushi...no crab legs...no Korean bbq.
I don't know if I agree with everything Freedman and Barnouin believe in. However, the fact that some of what they discuss is similar to Michael Pollen make this book more creditable to me. I will never become vegan or vegetarian; the authors will not be able to refer to me as a skinny bitch. But, I have renewed my sense of trying to buy more organic produce (as much as my budget can afford) and cutting more meat out of my diet.
