Coffee Musings - 090407

I was listening to the CompassionateCooks podcast last night. Colleen brought up a good point that doesn't just reflect the book she discussed, but also the book I am reading. She referenced Michael Pollen's new book, and how meat oriented it is, and how he disses vegetarians as if we do not have taste. Her main focus was on Atlantic Monthly article that disses Michael Pollen's book :). The meat-is-everything-or-you're-stupid is kindof the feel I'm getting from reading, Heat which is basically a memoir of a non-professional working in a professional kitchen. There are so many meat dishes.

I recognize that meat historically has been associated with affluence, but really, eat your vegetables! Holy cow! No wonder people have digestive problems. What isn't explained in all of these books that focus on culinary euphoric moments as defined by the meat-devouring authors is the plethora of tastes available in a vegetarian kitchen. Also, as any one knows, many food histories are based on peasant foods. Peasants didn't always have meat as it was a reflection of affluence. A plant-based diet is not foreign to the cultures of the worlds. Try it out, you'll be one with the hard workers of the earth.