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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Where do I start? I absolutely love this book; it makes you fall in love with food and cooking all over again, but not just any food--real, sustainable, heirloom food done right. It is basically a 'year in the life' of the author and her family after they moved from parched Tucson, Arizona to a farm in the Appalachians with the goal of eating local food for one year. They grew most of their produce, eggs, and poultry, and bought the rest from farmer's markets and other local sources. (Only a few "necessities", like coffee, flour, and some spices, were not local.) She discusses why it is important to eat local as much as possible, and describes the thousands of miles some of our food travels to reach our tables.
But this book goes beyond local eating and also tackles the topics of commercially-grown veggies, factory-farmed animals, and processed food, and in doing so it tells you what the true costs of those foods are: they are extremely high! As a people, Americans have become so far removed from our food that many people do not know where it comes from. Veggies grow in dirt? Who knew?! Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a recipe for a revolution. Highly recommended.
But this book goes beyond local eating and also tackles the topics of commercially-grown veggies, factory-farmed animals, and processed food, and in doing so it tells you what the true costs of those foods are: they are extremely high! As a people, Americans have become so far removed from our food that many people do not know where it comes from. Veggies grow in dirt? Who knew?! Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a recipe for a revolution. Highly recommended.
This was a great book about food and farming. It makes one think differently.
This book is much better than you might think. It will really change how you look at food, and how eating locally and seasonally is not only better for our economy, it's also better tasting food. She includes many of the recipes she makes throughout the year, too, in case you don't know what to do with asparagus, an abundance of squash, or large varieties of apples.
In fact, I got inspired by her "Pumpkin Soup in its Own Shell" recipe and gave it a shot last night, but it turns out, I don't really like pumpkin soup. Alas. As someone who doesn't much like to cook, though, I claimed victory for trying something new. Next up? Eggplant. Wish me luck.
In fact, I got inspired by her "Pumpkin Soup in its Own Shell" recipe and gave it a shot last night, but it turns out, I don't really like pumpkin soup. Alas. As someone who doesn't much like to cook, though, I claimed victory for trying something new. Next up? Eggplant. Wish me luck.
The middle was a bit slow, but otherwise I really enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's account of her family's year living locally and off their land. I was going to give it three stars because of the long lull in the middle (which is where you'd think the most action would be! the summer harvest!! soooo many tomatoes!!), but despite the pace I was motivated to start making my own bread and cook more meals using local products... which in my book earns you an extra star!
Will completely change the way you think about food! I try to buy organic and/or local when I can, and while I know it was not Kingsolver's point, I feel terrible for not doing it more now! This book actually inspired me to sign up for a local CSA, something I've been saying I was going to do for a long time.
I read a library copy - but I'm actually going to buy a copy for myself...and for others to pass around!
I read a library copy - but I'm actually going to buy a copy for myself...and for others to pass around!
This book appealed to me. I really enjoyed the subject matter and the many resources throughout. Sometimes a bit preachy. Kingsolver makes a good case and provides do-able suggestions for going more local in food choices. Made me want some chickens!
Read part of it -- really enjoyed it, but wasn't up for finishing it right now. I'll try again at some other point.
This book feels like a companion to "The Omnivore's Dilemma," focusing mostly on the sustainable farm/local eating idea. Barbara Kingsolver and her family commit to eating only locally (mostly self-raised) for a year. Her story is of course fascinating, and I appreciated the recipes scattered throughout. Once again, a book that makes me sign up for local veggie delivery upon finishing.
Kingsolver, always wonderfully readable, does a great job on this audiobook. Charming, entertaining, and full of information. I find myself inspired to try cheesemaking!
Would be perfect except for her self righteousness about being a meat eater. I thought only us vegetarians got to be that annoying about our diets?