Written by Sue Capella, “Heirloom Gardener” contributor. She was one of our guests at our event, sponsered by Copperfield Books, featuring Michael Pollan as guest speaker.
Standing room only in the Seed Bank!
Feb. 3, 2010: It was a great evening, and so nice to be in a room with over 400 like thinkers. It was so fitting that Pollan spoke at The Seed Bank, surrounded by thousands of packets of heirloom seeds, the beginnings of the purest foods available. I loved his simplest advice from his newest book “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual”: “Don’t eat foods your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize,” and “Don’t buy foods with more than five ingredients.” They’re such easy rules to remember.
One new approach for me, however, will be: “Avoid foods making health claims.” Pollan’s insights on the claims made on cereal boxes brought this one home though. Cereal makers are actually claiming that their breakfast “food” filled with 40 percent sugar “boosts immunity.” It will also be a personal switch to avoid low-fat and “lite” foods, opting to eat less of the real thing instead–another of Pollan’s food rules.
Michael Pollan shares his Food Rules at the Seed Bank
Pollan’s audience at The Seed Bank definitely resonated with his most general rule: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” He encouraged planting a vegetable garden, even in a window box, though I’m certain he was surrounded by some of the Bay Area’s most avid veggie gardeners.
“Cook” he told us. That’s the best way to stop eating processed foods. He got a big laugh when he suggested not eating any foods that come at you through a car window, alluding to fast food. And it was wonderful to hear eating food described as “a communion with others and with nature.”
Michael Pollan signed copies of his books at the end of the event.
I’m now even more inspired to eat natural and whole foods, at a table, and in good company . Thank you Jere and Emilee Gettle for a rare evening in a rare location surrounded by rare seeds.
This sounds like a wonderful event! I lament the fact that I live so far away…I heartily wish we had more folk passionate about food around here! I received my very large order of seeds from rareseeds.com today, and I’m thrilled to be starting down a road of good food and better health for myself and my family, thanks to your fine company! We’re learning about propagating our own seeds, and hoping for a very sustainable permaculture garden property in the next few years.
May your company be blessed for all you do.
Mrs. Janeen B. from SE Colorado
I was also there and what a great event it was. You can read my summation of the evening at http://bit.ly/dCszvv.
Thank you to The Seed Bank for hosting this, allowing Pollan to share his ideas which will get more people growing and eating “real” food.
A chum urged me to look at this site, brill post, interesting read… keep up the good work!