Botany of Desire - Book and Film Review

"The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway." — Michael Pollan

The book is called Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, which is what the movie (documentary-style) is based on. 


I first encountered this book in a class called Plants and Human Affairs during my second semester in college. When we started reading it I couldn't really imagine getting into a book about plants...it just doesn't sound all that thrilling. I could not have been more wrong. This book gives you a picture of plant evolution from a plant's perspective. It asks not what we are doing to assert control over these plants but how they are actively manipulating us to evolve. We live with the idea that we "domesticate" our plants without considering how they have used us to propagate their species. That idea alone is enough to make you stop right there and wonder.


In this book Pollan explains the history of plant evolution, how co-evolution works, and how the desires and needs of humans have driven plant evolution. He takes the story of four plants - apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. He matches these plants with four human desires - sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control, and wrote four captivating chapters filled with history, trivia, and science. You will never look at any of these plants in the same way again. He warns us against the dangers of mono-culture and the loss of variety in biological organisms that results from it.

You do not need to be a botanist or even an avid gardener to enjoy this book. Anyone who has ever been in the produce section of a grocery store will appreciate what Pollan has to say. This is a fantastic read for the non-scientist. Pollan doesn't put on heirs. He lays out his thoughts as if you were a friend sitting with him in the backyard, drinking some iced tea, watching the bees diligently making love to all their flowers, and considering what we might have in common with them.

Well since I just told you what the book is about, which is also what the documentary is about, there isn't a whole lot left to say. I can tell you that this film was one of the most enjoyable documentaries I have ever seen and watching it was simply a pleasure. It is much less in-depth while still covering the major points of discussion. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is unsure about reading the book (prepare to have your mind changed for you) and as supplementary material to the book itself. I have groups of people over every now and then and if a documentary can command the attention of a room of 20-somethings for over an hour (without even weighing the fascinating material itself) it definitely has my vote. Every time I show this movie people ask me, "Now where do I find the book???"

Review for the Book and Film Combo: A+

If you'd like to purchase the book or movie visit the link included in the title of this post. If you'd just like to check out the movie without purchasing its available on Netflix.  

"How did these organs of plant sex manage to get themselves cross-wired with human ideas of value and status and Eros? And what might our ancient attraction for flowers have to teach us about the deeper mysteries of beauty - what one poet has called "this grace wholly gratuitous"? Is that what it is? Or does beauty have a purpose? (64)" 

— Michael Pollan (The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World)

Health Food Of The Week: Edamame

So what, exactly, is edamame? There's a type soybean, called edamame, which is harvested when the plant is at a young age and is still green. Edamame is a popular food to snack on in Japan. It's only recently that the popularity of this vegetable is spreading in America. Edamame has a milky taste to it, and it's a very nutritious vegetable to snack on. Edamame health benefits are many, and more benefits are being discovered about this green soybean as time goes on. This vegetable is prepared by boiling the beans in a pot of salt water, while they're still in their pods. This way of preparing them makes them a nice side dish to any meal. They can also be taken out of their pods and can be incorporated in to salads and soups.


High in protein and fiber Just one half cup of fresh, shelled edamame contains 100 calories. They're very low in fat as well, with only two and a half grams of total fat. With 10 grams of protein, this soybean is wonderful for anyone who is a vegetarian and is looking to get more of this nutrient. The protein in edamame contains all nine essential amino acids that the body doesn't make on its own. You'll also get a good dose of fiber in a half cup of edamame. Fiber is important for a healthy digestive system, and you'll get four grams of it in edamame. Fiber is also known to lower levels of cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Fiber will also keep you feeling full for a longer period. Fiber is one of those nutrients that people find hard to get enough amounts of. Adding edamame will help you boost your fiber intake. Along with heart healthy fiber, edamame also contains isoflavons, which is another key component to lowering the risk of heart disease. Isoflavons are also said to lower the chances of getting breast cancer, but this issue is still up for debate. Other heart healthy nutrients in edmame include vitamin K and folate. Folate also boosts the production of red blood cells. Folic acid is particularly important to women who are pregnant. Without enough folate, the baby's spine may not develop fully and may cause other problems down the line.

Good source of calcium This is a great vegetable to boost your intake of calcium also. You can get 8% of the recommended daily amount of calcium in one half cup of edamame. Proper amounts of calcium will help avoid osteoporosis by strengthening your bones. Calcium also promotes health teeth. Many people find it difficult to get the recommended amount of calcium and rely of taking supplement to boost their intake. By adding edamame to your regular diet, you can get calcium from a natural food source rather than relying of a supplement pill.                                                           

Fights Inflammation Edamame also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great food to eat is you're suffering from arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. People who deal with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, probably one of the most painful forms of arthritis can get some relief by eating edamame. This is a great food for people with asthma, as it can reduce inflammation in the breathing passages. This will result in less wheezing and coughing. Edamame is gaining popularity in the health food industry. More edamame health benefits are being discovered every day. This green soybean can be found in Oriental stores and in natural food markets. It can sometimes be found in the frozen section in regular grocery stores. Edamame is helpful with several things. These green soybean offer many benefits, and more benefits will surely be discovered.

Hummus Wrap Recipe

This recipe features the Health Food of the Week: Alfalfa Sprouts!

Ingredients:
- 1 large tortilla (flour is fine but I like to use spinach or herb wraps when available for a little pizazz)
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 1/4 red pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup purple onion, cut into long strips
- a few slices of deli turkey (is totally just as tasty without for a vegetarian meal)
- 1/2 cup of some leafy green (I prefer romaine or spinach)
- a few pieces of diced up tomato, not too much to keep it from getting soggy
- a healthy handful of ALFALFA SPROUTS....these really make the wrap. trust.


Instructions (its so easy I feel silly calling it a recipe):
- warm wrap for 10-20 seconds in microwave to make it pliable
- spread hummus evenly across the inside of the wrap
- toss your ingredients a bit then dump them right onto the wrap
- fold the bottom first (crucial) and then tightly roll the rest up
- cut it in half diagonally or serve it whole like a burrito
- enjoy





Greatest thing about this recipe is that it is very versatile. It works with just about any vegetable you can think of so whatever you have on hand is fine. I've also tried this with mushroom, artichokes, avocados, zucchini....basically its really hard to mess this one up! Happy eating!

Health Food Of The Week

This week I have discovered a new favorite food, Alfalfa Sprouts! 

Alfalfa is known for having deep roots that can reach to depths of 20 to 30 feet, accessing nutrients not always available at the surface. So alfalfa sprouts offer distinct health benefits.

Facts

1. Alfalfa sprouts are rich in vitamins and minerals that help the development of bones. Alfalfa's contents include protein, calcium, carotene, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B1, C, E and K. Alfalfa can come in the form of seeds, leaves or tablets; however, consuming mature alfalfa sprouts offers the most benefits.

Antioxidants

2. Alfalfa sprouts are one of the most powerful plant sources of antioxidants. An antioxidant is a molecule that has the capacity of slowing down or even preventing the oxidation of other molecules, which can create free radicals. The presence of free radicals damages cells. Alfalfa helps prevent cancer and coronary heart disease because of its antioxidant properties; it also alleviates symptoms associated with menopause and osteoporosis.

Anti-Inflammatory

3. A compound in alfalfa sprouts inhibits inflammation, so they can be used to treat and manage pain by reducing swelling. Alfalfa sprouts are particularly useful for people with arthritis.

Immunity

4. The high saponin content in alfalfa sprouts give the immune system a boost. Saponin affects the intestinal tract by lowering bacterial population. Plus, the vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, increase the body's ability to fight off infections. Alfalfa also increases the body's production of T-lymphcytes and interferon to improve immunity.

Disease

5. Alfalfa sprouts are also used to lower the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver. The plant estrogen found in alfalfa can improve the formation of bone and increase its density for people with degenerative bone diseases.

- Look to the next post for a yummy and healthy recipe using Alfalfa Sprouts!