My Grand Illusions

Want to join in the fun?

See that little badge in the far bottom right column? The one that looks like this:

 
It's a new book clubI joined. But it's not your average book club, it's a Foodie Book Club! We're going to read all about food! I'm so fascinated by food and how people choose food and the origins of foods and preparation and, well, anything having to do with food so this is a perfect book club for me.  

You can see the first three books that we're reading if you click on this link. The first book, which I'm so interested to read is:

The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain. I'm actually a bit nervous to read about him eating a "freshly slaughtered seal", but I'm hoping to learn a thing or two and that can't be a bad thing. Also, Anthony is dirty hot in my book, sort of like Johnny Depp.

If you're interested in reading about food and talking about it, please come on over and join us!

Goodreads

I'm a huge fan of reading. I'll read most anything if it's good. I like autobiographies, fiction, self-help, anthologies, anything. The problem with reading though, for me, is that my memory fails me quite often. I have favorite books and I can tell you about them but I often can't remember the title or the author and I wanted a way to keep track of what I've read. Enter Goodreads.

I've actually been a member since January 2008 and I've got a handful of friends but I'm always on the look out for more. Are you on Goodreads? Are we friends on Goodreads? If you aren't on Goodreads, go! sign up! be my book reading friend! Go to my profile and make me your friend.

If you aren't on Goodreads, tell me what books you've read this year that you loved. I'm always in the market to fill up more space in my bookcase.

Here are a few of my favorite books that I read in 2009:

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

Such an easy read with characters I really enjoyed.

Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama XIV

This book makes me want to go to TIbet. I found this book so fascinating and now I want to know more about the Tibetans and the Dalia Lama.

A Gesture Life: A Novel by Chang-Rae Lee

A great story that really made me think about my own life.

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I'll never look at mushrooms the same again.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

This is probably up there in my top 10 favorite books. 

City of Thieves by David Benioff

I just finished this yesterday. Usually when I finish a book it goes in the pile to be sold or donated or listed on Paper Back Swap*. I love this book so much that I'm keeping it and adding it to my list of favorite books of all time. I may even re-read it which is something I rarely do.

I've read more than just these books in 2009. These are just a few of the books I've enjoyed. I hope to read a few more books in 2010. I have a goal of around 30-ish books. I definitely have enough books at home that I've not read to accomplish that goal. Perhaps I should have a goal to not purchase anymore books until I've read the ones I do have. Perhaps.

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If you go to and join Paperbackswap.com, list me as your referrer, please! I'll get a credit! This site is awesome for swapping books for free (minus the postage). I highly recommend it.

The Kind Diet

I was alerted to a new book, The Kind Diet, by Alicia Silverstone recently by a friend. She knows I'm a vegan and thought I might be interested in this new book. Right she was, thanks Jess! I inhale books about veganism and healthy eating and things of that nature. One of the reasons I read these types of books is because sometimes life gets a bit harried and messy and I lose my way and I want the reminders of why I choose this lifestyle.

Our culture is surrounded by shiny advertisements for foods that are unhealthy to our environment, our bodies and our children. Everywhere I look is a reminder of what I gave up but that reminder of why is something I have to keep on the forefront of my mind. It's so, so easy to fall back into the old habits, the easy way, the comfortable way. My lifestyle isn't always the easiest or the most comfortable for those around me but it's right for me and I feel better about my short time on this Earth.

I'm not a quote person, I don't remember things that were said or written very often. I don't often read things in books or magazines or on the Internet that I feel compelled to etch into my memory, I just don't work that way. I need to hold a memory in my hand or feel it brush up against me to be reminded. I need to smell a memory or see a monumental thing to hold it close to my heart. It's my way. But I read a paragraph in this book that really spoke to me, so much so that I actually re-wrote it down to remember it:

Being a superhero is really about trusting nature, which is magical and transformative. You are healthier, more powerful, and more intuitive than you know, but lousy foods have kept you stuck and weak. By embracing all the superhero foods and letting go of everything that holds you back, you allow nature to scrub you clean to reveal your natural superpowers.

When I read this I had no idea what the term "superhero" or "superhero foods" were but I assumed they were whole, natural, organic, good-for-you foods (I was right). I struggle by letting things hold me back and not letting my inner intuition take over. I often sabotage myself so often in many aspect of my life (don't a lot of women?). Especially in the eating well category. Sure I don't eat meat or dairy anymore but I sure was not feeding myself "superhero" foods on a regular enough basis. I have been deeply inspired.

I want those superpowers to take over and make me a better person. When I feel good about myself I treat others well and when others feel they are valued and loved than they pass it along. It's a giant snowball effect that starts with me. Eating well and really, truly taking care of myself is so much more than what I eat at each meal but it's something I have to do to survive. I have to feed myself and I choose to heal myself from the inside out. It's the logical thing, to me, to do.