the blue star diner, polaroid SX-70
“the way we eat represents our most profound engagement with the natural world.” -michael pollan
i’m sure many, if not most of you (?) have already read the omnivore’s dilemma, but if you haven’t read it before, i just want to share that it’s one of the best books i’ve come across in the last few years, truly. and i think i could write an epic post here about why, but i really don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t come across it. i was actually in uruguay looking through my husband’s audio book library when i remembered he recommended it to me a while back. and i was feeling the need to hear something in english… soon after reading, i remember going to dine on free roaming, grass fed beef that night, while contemplating his investigations about food. which, i might add, was so refreshing in his journalist’s perspective since most voices in this topic can so easily be so holier-than-thou.
i can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from reading it either. it’s a broad scope that he delivers to everyone: the environmentalist, the consumer, the foodie, the agriculturalist, the health nut, the scientist, the parent in charge of preparing dinner every night for their family, those hooked on food taboos and fads…. it will even take out any drudgery or anxiety harbored in having to go to the grocery store. it may have you wanting to hunt for truffles and never look at a corn field the same way again, but mostly, it will really give you a sincere appreciation for what is one of life’s greatest pleasures: the gathering, preparing and eating of food.
p.s. has anyone read pollan’s new book, in defense of food? it’s been on my wishlist…
p.p.s. though we lived just next door to the blue star diner, we never once ate there. it was greasy spoon southern fare that i heard stuck to your ribs, but boy did i love that sign.
I just finished In Defense of Food. A lot of it is covered in Omnivore’s Dilemma, but I still found it compelling – it reinforced some of the ideas from the other book and the “eat food, not a lot, mostly plants” just resonates with me.
Thanks for the recommendation. Now the book is on my list.
megan: thanks for the little review, i was reading an article about the new book and it sounded like the content was familiar, but i think i’ll still read it – he’s such a compelling author.
i have really been meaning to read that book [omnivore].
need more time
love the pola!
okay, woah woah woah. i just did a “omg” i know that diner outloud move. like know it, know it — and you lived near it? and in virginia right? as in, hampton, virginia? as in, the lady who swears she met elvis and drives a big ole cadillac worked at the blue star diner? as in, i love that sign immensely and have photos to prove it too diner? as in, that strip housed some pretty amazing thrift stores too diner? as in, i *did* eat there once, i couldn’t not eat there, and even being a veggie i had to find something to eat there….
*that* diner?!
or am in a parallel universe and there is another blue star just like that one??!! :)
jen! you’re kidding! are you from virginia? oh what a small world! yes, we lived in hilton village – right in this place.
the blue star diner actually caught on fire a while back, while we were living there. (grease fire! haha) and the damage to the roof and kitchen shut it down for a long while. it was sad… fanny (the owner) finally decided to sell, with conditions that the place retain it’s historic vibe. she was a lovely neighbor ~ we would talk over the fence about our flowers and vegetables and her home country (greece) & she would bake us things all the time after she stopped working at the diner. so sweet.
mmmmm… hmmmm. and how! i think i left a msg on your facebook about that book! funny thing is i am JUSt finishing it, as in i have a couple pages to go bc i took a hiatus to read another amaaaaazing book that will rock your world written back in the 6O’s by jane jacobs “the life and death of great american cities”. even if you just read a bit it helped articulate so much to me about where we live…. similar to what we eat:)
um, i love jenifer’s comment about the diner. cute.
great post. i want to check out that book now….xo
i want to read that book now. thanks for the recommendation, jenny.