Would Oprah and Michael Pollan read Habit?

While I (Josie) was listening to one of my favourite podcasts, I had a reaffirming moment for why Ryan and I created the Habit cookbook. Oprah Winfrey was interviewing Michael Pollan, the author of eight New York Times bestsellers, including the Omnivore’s Dilemma, In Defense of Food and Cooked. Pollan argued that our culture values eating fast food and at restaurants to our detriment. It separates us from the food we’re eating and especially the ingredients that go into our meals. Restaurants often use way more salt, sugar and oil than anyone would add when cooking for themselves.

Listening to Pollan talk (Here’s a link to the Super Soul Sunday podcast.) I found myself nodding my head – he was parroting the reasons we developed our sauce-focused cookbook Habit. And he was answering questions I ponder on the regular. Why is cooking your own meals valuable? Why is a connection to the food you eat important? Why is it so hard for people to sustain a healthy weight or change their lifestyle to avoid chronic disease?

Many studies support the theory that making your own meals is the secret to a healthy weight and heart. When you cook from scratch you see and measure each ingredient. It’s built in portion control and by measuring yourself you don’t have to count calories and obsess over labels.

But I think there’s an even more important element at play. When you chop vegetables you connect with the farmers, the land and the soil. When you chose to eat meat , you connect with the animals and can feel GRATEFUL that they gave their lives to feed you. When you set the table and sit down, especially with family and friends, you’re sharing something. Each step slows you down, giving you time to be present, which allows a healthy relationship with food to grow. 

When I healed my relationship with food, my weight stabilized, my health improved and I regained a love of cooking. I hope by reading our cookbook, you too can find some nourishment from our recipes and feel how different food lands in your body when you make it with love.