Allison Alsup has written a fascinating novel. It stems from the factual disappearance of Frank Meyer, of Meyer lemon fame, while an agricultural explorer for the US Department of Agriculture in China. The book is definitely worth reading, but I also think that the conversation with Allison about the Office of Seed and Plant Introduction, a part of the US Department of Agriculture, is also worth listening too. We have been adding to the agricultural diversity of the US through agricultural explorers for decades. And ironically it has led to Big Ag using this diversity to cherry pick the characteristics it was and allowing all of the genetic traits of the plants to recede. Today we have less diversity. An interesting and ironic turn of fate. It’s on Tip of the Tongue.

Speaking about self-regulating toddlers, mindful eating, and teaching children the language of food, Hassan Merali and I go all over the map in our conversation. He is the author of a new book called Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life. It’s on Tip of the Tongue.

For mor information:

Article: "Mindful Eating Lessons from Toddlers." In Best Ever You Magazine. Free download here.

With a foot in Italy and one in America Luca Alessandrini is beginning a new business after beginning a career on Wall Street. He is matching Italian artisanal businesses with businesses in the US. This is a chance to talk about starting a food business that bridges cultural differences and different food preferences and habits.