I know that I should probably wait until I finish a book before I review it, but I've been enjoying this one so much that I just can't wait to encourage you all to check it out of the library!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver is the true story of one family who decided to take the plunge and experience one year eating food that they are in relationship with. This required a relocation from Tuscon, AZ to a rural farm in Virginia and a lifestyle change for all members of the family. A husband and wife, Steven and Barbara, and their two girls, college-aged Camille and the youngest daughter Lily, too young to be a contributing author for the book.
All of the family members contribute to the household food supply- from raising chickens for eggs and meat to mushroom hunting, and from seedling starters to the great first harvest of asparagus. This wonderful, whimsical, and educational book describes the sacrifices each family member had to make as well as the discoveries of the joy that comes from eating "close to home".
What they didn't grow, they got from local farmers- from dairy and meats to exotic plants. If it didn't grow locally or if they didn't know the name of the person who grew it, it was out. Filled with wonderful stories, information about our american food culture (or lack of it) and the changes that have happened to our plates over time, this book meets all of my desires in a good book.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to eat more consciously. Sometimes it is frightening to think of where your food comes from. If that's the case, I'd encourage you to not eat that. This book brings the idea of a fulfilling, healthy, and affordable local and organic diet into a reality- teaching you how you can do it and what twists and turns you can expect in the process.
I'd recommend this as a "must-read"!!
-Dr. Chasse
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I've heard a lot of great things about that book. I know bananas are a luxury, but it would be hard to give them up!
-Nedra
www.bluedeerdesigns.com
Hi!
I'm Kitt's brother Will and I just bumped into Ryan (who I didn't recognize at all after 15 years) at Bryan's going away thing.
Anyhow, Kitt said you had a site, so I looked it up and read through bits and bumped into this blog entry and weirdly, my mother-in-law just gave my wife and I this book to read. It's really great so far! It's wild to think about the growing disconnect we all have with the origins and production of the food we eat and everything else, too. Hooray for Barbara Kingsolver and others like her!
It was great to see Ryan--wished my grey matter had recognized him faster.
Be well--
/will
Post a Comment