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obtchinnis's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Love hearing Michelle Obama speak, love her vision for food in America. I knew the story of the white house garden but I am grateful she brought this book to life for us to hear the details. it was also a nice bonus to get some gardening tips! Such a team effort, the garden, this book. YES.
cathybruce208's review against another edition
3.0
This is a beautiful book that tells the story of the White House garden and the people behind it. It's a fun coffee table book to display to annoy my conservative friends and family.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
Very informative book about community gardens, nutrition and fitness, and how to be an inspirational organizer. Examples of other endeavors throughout the US result in a very positive book.
I surely do miss this family!!!
I surely do miss this family!!!
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America by Michele O'Bama
Starts out with why Michele O'Bama was raised, remembering fresh food in the neighborhood and also playing outside, walking to school.
Today children don't play outside or have much of a recess anymore and are getting obese. Her idea to get kids moving and to make sure everybody has more fresh food that they can grow themselves.
Struggles Mrs. O'Bama came across when she went to plant the garden for food to be used on their tables. Talks of other states and how the National Park Service is involved in the
garden for those who can't see..Broken up into chapters where the seasons are featured.
Especially liked the previous presidents gardens and what they planted and where.
Recipes included also!
Starts out with why Michele O'Bama was raised, remembering fresh food in the neighborhood and also playing outside, walking to school.
Today children don't play outside or have much of a recess anymore and are getting obese. Her idea to get kids moving and to make sure everybody has more fresh food that they can grow themselves.
Struggles Mrs. O'Bama came across when she went to plant the garden for food to be used on their tables. Talks of other states and how the National Park Service is involved in the
garden for those who can't see..Broken up into chapters where the seasons are featured.
Especially liked the previous presidents gardens and what they planted and where.
Recipes included also!
coffee_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! What an inspiration to see what Ms. Obama has done with the White House Garden -- which she says is America's community garden. Inside the pages we meet the gardeners, kitchen staff, volunteers and (most importantly) children who have pitched in and discovered the blessing of hard work and fresh, healthy food! Plus, the kitchen staff shares several delicious garden recipes that I can't wait to try.
lporto's review against another edition
3.0
I'm sure this would been a MUCH better read than listen. I have it on hold in hardbound at my local library
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a book about politics. I just want to clear that up off the bat. Just because I'm reviewing and praising a book written by Michelle Obama does not mean I'm using my blog to endorse any sort of political platform.
Then again, in a way, maybe I am. I think Michelle Obama's message and mission for making healthy food more accessible to all Americans is a necessary one. Obesity and the afflictions that accompany it like type 2 diabetes and heart disease are running rampant through our nation. So much of that has to do with the food we are putting in our bodies. In many underprivileged communities throughout the country, residents don't have access to fresh produce and even if they do, many assume they can't afford it. So they rely on the convenience foods and fast food restaurants that seem to permeate underprivileged neighborhoods to sustain their diets.
So Michelle Obama began her mission to make a healthier nation very simply: by planting a garden on the White House's South Lawn. You might wonder how a simple garden can change a nation's eating habits, but with some seeds and some dirt, she was able to start a conversation. Students and organizations came to volunteer in the garden and kids started to show curiosity about the food coming out of the ground that they were helping to plant and harvest. My biggest takeaway from this book was the need for a sense of ownership in knowing where your food comes from. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are helping to see them grow and flourish.
Read the rest of my review here
Then again, in a way, maybe I am. I think Michelle Obama's message and mission for making healthy food more accessible to all Americans is a necessary one. Obesity and the afflictions that accompany it like type 2 diabetes and heart disease are running rampant through our nation. So much of that has to do with the food we are putting in our bodies. In many underprivileged communities throughout the country, residents don't have access to fresh produce and even if they do, many assume they can't afford it. So they rely on the convenience foods and fast food restaurants that seem to permeate underprivileged neighborhoods to sustain their diets.
So Michelle Obama began her mission to make a healthier nation very simply: by planting a garden on the White House's South Lawn. You might wonder how a simple garden can change a nation's eating habits, but with some seeds and some dirt, she was able to start a conversation. Students and organizations came to volunteer in the garden and kids started to show curiosity about the food coming out of the ground that they were helping to plant and harvest. My biggest takeaway from this book was the need for a sense of ownership in knowing where your food comes from. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are helping to see them grow and flourish.
Read the rest of my review here
imbricata's review against another edition
4.0
My main critique with this book, which talks a lot about how poorly our kids eat and the health problems that follow, is that it omits one of the most significant reasons American children eat so badly: the overwhelming success of junk food and other companies marketing it to them. I've read so many books lately that seem to lay the responsibility on the parents not preparing healthy meals without mentioning that those same parents are up against companies that spend billions of dollars to encourage their children to do otherwise. This has been a theme with a lot of foodie books that I've read lately, and it's begun to really frustrate me. I can understand that Michelle Obama was probably looking to avoid losing the message of the book under what would certainly be corporate backlash if she went more in depth about their role in the crisis. Still, I can't help but be disappointed that this very important factor is not discussed.