Comments on: Vacation Reading: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:09:43 +0000

First, I have to mention your new header. It is so perfectly you…and it really does a wonderful job of painting a picture of what your blog is about (parenting, beauty, simplicity, whole foods…hmmm…you need an image for fashion too).

Next, I completely agree that fruit and vegetables get a bad reputation because they are too often eaten canned, processed, and sprayed. Real Example: When we first got married, Tim told me he didn’t like sweet potatoes. It turns out the only sweet potatoes he’d ever eaten were the ones out of a can…topped with marshmallows. Now he can’t get enough of them. We chop them up, top w/ a little butter and brown sugar…perfection!

By: suzannah @ so much shouting/laughter

suzannah @ so much shouting/laughter — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:17:18 +0000

i loved that book as well. (her fiction is fantastic, too!) it really challenged and changed the way i shopped and thought about food–and inspired us to garden and get chickens:)

getting off processed junk is still a process–especially away from home, but we’re taking baby steps. this time of year eating seasonally is a joy. it gets tricksier later…i need to do more canning this summer!

By: Colleen

Colleen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:43:34 +0000

I read A,V,M last year and loved it. It really did change the way I think about shopping for my family. I thought her whole point about how we expect that our kids will wait to have sex until they’re married and yet we can’t even wait to experience strawberries when they’re actually in-season was so interesting. What a teaching point to share with your family!

Anyway, I don’t know if you’re a podcast listener, but Speaking of Faith recently (in the last two weeks or so) did an interview with Barbara Kingsolver about the ethics of eating. I haven’t had a chance to listen yet, but it sounds really interesting.

Thanks for all of the foodie book suggestions–I’m loving them!

By: Sarah R.

Sarah R. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Thanks for the review…I am adding this to my “Books to Read” now. Since we became parents, my husband and I are really trying to focus on changing our eating habits. We literally posted the “Dirty Dozen” list on our refrigerator, and we make an effort to shop for produce often to ensure the best quality and taste. I like the point you and the book made about how this is a lifestyle anyone can afford. Last night, I stopped by the grocery store for some fruit, and I found organic raspberries for $2.50. They were so fresh and ripe and delicious. In fact, our 20 month old was hungry when I wasn’t quite finished with dinner, and he ate almost a cup of them on his own!

I would like to work harder to eat more locally sourced food, but like you said, I still enjoy apples and bananas. It’s a little more difficult with a small child too. I am looking forward to cooking with him when he’s a little older.

By: beth - total mom haircut

beth - total mom haircut — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:28:09 +0000

Great post and review. When my husband and I were discussing out “Favorites of the Decade,” something we do each new year, this was at the top for me on my book list. I too loved the family’s involvement in both the process and the writing of the book. And it’s a book I’ve referenced multiple times since reading it for recipes and info.

By: Jo-Lynne

Jo-Lynne — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:50:22 +0000

Well. I may not be doing as well as it seems. These are goals.

And we’re all at a different place. Just the fact that we’re aware of the issues and talking about them is a great thing!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:32:53 +0000

I’m glad you got to read it! I really liked it too although unfortunately I have not made as many strides in eating locally as you have. I do the best I can in the area where I live and with other constraints such as small children.

And I was also very taken by the notion that we no longer understand that there are certain seasons for many of our fruits and veggies. I was also always VERY enlightened by what her daughter and husband wrote.

Glad you were able to share this with your readers!

By: Genny

Genny — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:01:33 +0000

Thanks for this great post; sounds like a book I would absolutely love! I haven’t been by here in a while… love the fresh look!

By: Shelly @ LIfe on the Wild Side

Shelly @ LIfe on the Wild Side — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:06:18 +0000

Wow. I leafed through this book in Anthropologie one day (yes, they were selling it there!) and thought it looked interesting. Now I’m going to have to read it. Sounds fantastic!

Just a question . . . what if the only “locally grown” fruit you can get is muskmellon? I’m getting a little tired of it right now.

By: Michelle@Life with Three

Michelle@Life with Three — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:02:03 +0000

Definitely adding this to my reading list! As a side note, have you seen this map from epicurious? It shows what’s in season for your state during various months: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap