The Sustainable Eating Book Shelf

One of the ways I began my foray into sustainable eating was through books.  This was a natural path for me as I love books and never fail to find time for reading those things that interest me most.  The more I read about changing the world and my health through food, the more I wanted to read.

Here are some books that taught me so much and helped move me toward change:

Crazy, Sexy, Diet: I have told you about this one before.  Kris Carr has a super-fun and accessible writng style.  Don't let the word "diet" fool you.  This is all about making a lasting total life change for the better.

The Kind Diet: Quick, simple, and easy to follow.  Again less about dieting and more about life changing.  Alicia Silverstone emphasizes the importance not just of going vegan (or eating less animal product), but of eating whole plant foods.  This book also includes baby step recipes to work your way up to super hero eating status.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life: Barbara Kingsolver wrote this with her family about their efforts to eat local for a year.  It's a fascinating and inspiring look at what is possible.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto: I wasn't lying when I said I love Michael Pollan, and this book is my favorite.  I love his manifesto ("Eat food, mostly plants, not too much.") for its simplicity.  I love even more that he goes on to elaborate on exactly how one might live the manifesto (eat at a table, eat slowly, eat meals).  I wrote it out in bullet points and put it on my fridge.

Kathy Freston's books: She wrote Quantum Wellness, the book that first made me decide to go vegan.  She now has out a great one for people just approaching the idea called, Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World.  I haven't read Quantum Wellness Cleanse: The 21-Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Mind, Body and Spirit, but plan to in the fall before my next cleanse.

What else?  What did you read that totally changed your relationship to food?

Book Review:: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

I am back from up north.  There is something completely blissful about being in a place where my to-do list is completely useless.  So I read.  Specifically, I read, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life" by Barbara Kingsolver and family.  This book is far from new, so many of you may have already had the chance to enjoy.  

In case you aren't acquainted with the book, I will give you the gist.  The author and her family commit to a year of local food.  They try to eat only items they have harvested themselves or can get locally (with a few exceptions).  The project was inspired by the desire to cut their carbon footprint and place importance on food, family, and growing culture.

Not only is the book easily accessible and well written, but Kingsolver shares her journey without guilting you about yours.  Some of my favorite parts were the essays from her husband sharing how to get more involved and tidbits from her daughter on what it's like to grow up in our food "culture" with recipes for local meals.  Best of all, the book emphasizes a feeling I have long held, that we each individually may not be able to change the whole world, but we won't get anywhere if we don't get started.  Little changes lead to bigger changes and inspire changes in others.

So if you are looking for some summer reading, maybe pick this up.  Perhaps you will be inspired to garden, go to a farmer's market, or just look a little more carefully while shopping in the grocery store.  Whatever you are inspired to do, surely it will make a difference.

Have you read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"?  Did you enjoy it?  What did you most get out of the book?