Our common nature is a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma and me, Ana Gonzalez, through this complicated country.

We go into caves, onto boats, and up mountain trails to meet people, hear their stories, their poetry, and of course, play some music, all to reconnect to nature and get closer to the things we're missing.

Listen to Our Common Nature from WNYC, wherever you get podcasts.

It's the splendid table from APM, American Public Media.

Thank you. table from APM, American Public Media. I'm Lynn Rosetta, Casper.

If you want people to eat healthy, why make it so expensive?

Well, this was the question asked of reporter Tracy McMillan.

It came from a frustrated teenager in a poor New York neighborhood.

Until then, for Tracy, food wasn't relevant to her job as a serious journalist.

After that question, she launched on an undercover journey.

She joined the working poor in harvest fields, supermarkets, and a restaurant. She lived,

ate, and worked as we do when short money as to trump long-term health. Well, stay with us

for the story and much more, this hour on the splendid table. This is the Splendid Table from APM American Public Media, the show for people who love to eat.

I'm Lynn Rosetta-Casper.

Well, today we're checking out some L.A. Neighborhood eats you might not know, unless

you're a local. A reporter lives the Great American Dicotomy. Who can afford to eat the way

they say we're supposed to? Moroccan vegetables are on the agenda, and a favorite writer returns.

Jay McEnany is a novelist.

Critics say he writes generation-defining books like Bright Lights, Big City, and how it ended.

But this novelist has also been labeled the best wine writer in America.

Well, for him, it's a natural combo.

I think Jay loves the role of student when it comes to wine.

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