So recipes will have to wait because I've got something to say.

Confession: I don't know a whole lot about Michael Pollan. I'm supposed to. I'm supposed to have read all of his books, followed his tweets and dug down deep in the word he is spreading. From what I get a whif of, I am all about the word he is spreading. I have never heard a word about his work that I disagree with.

Sadly, there is a copy of the Omnivore's Dilema on the diningroom table.

It sits there in a pile of mail and magazines I haven't gotten to yet.

Find the great book I should be reading

See?

Honestly, when I read I like to read something cultural that has little to do with my work. Unless, of course, it must apply to my work in the immediate. AND the fact is that I tried to start The Omnivore's Dilema and it was a bit dry for me at that moment.

At any other time, I may be able to do it. Read it, love it, adore it.

I've truly looked forward to that day.

And then today a funny thing happened.

I went to the bookstore to pick up a gift for my friend Michael Laiskonis.

He's leaving his post as executive pastry chef at Le Bernardin and I was on my way to lunch.

I got the book I was looking for for him and then I saw the most riveting of things.

A book by Michael Pollan, Food Rules, illustrated by Maira Kalman.

If you are unfamiliar with Maira's work, she is an illustrator with an uncanny wit. www.mairakalman.com

A very impressive portfolio.

And yes, that's how shallow I am.

Bought it. Read it on the subway uptown.

Loved it.  Guess I needed the pictures.

It looks like this.

Awesome front:

Excellent Back:

And a few gems in the middle like this:

(Ghandi's fork and knife)

Amazingly, it seems much like common sense that we've lost along the way. I guess that's point we're all trying to push.

I had a great friend and mentor of food and health that used to stress this at every moment. Here's a photo of him and his awesome face.

Miss you much, E.

I've put in a query with my aforementioned friend Michael about the traceability of my lunch today. Waiting to hear back. I know they're putting some real green initiatives into place, so I'm looking forward to hearing about them. I haven't written about fish yet and that would be a good starting point.

For dinner tonight, the mushroom barley soup I made last night.

By the way, my freezer is full these days.  A much better way to live.  Much more sane than laying out cash at each meal. It's mindblowing how easy that's become.