Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 19, 2011 Meghan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nutrition, grow-my-brain

First 5 star of the year for me. This book is inspiring, but not in the unattainable way. Barbara Kingsolver and her family decide to eat and grow local produce ONLY for one year. It's something that at first, I would have been skeptical that someone could complete without living in California. Instead, I found myself saying "I could do that too!"... even in the chilly Rocky Mountain climate that I live in.

I don't think she jumps in quite at the beginner level, but she shares enough gaffes and ...more

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Aug 25, 2008 MichelleCH rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, sustainability, health-fitness, listening-to-the-audio-version

So much of this book I loved, especially the day to day experiences around growing your own food and raising livestock. My favorite descriptions were about raising turkeys and what it takes to successfully breed them. Kingsolver as the narrator of this audiobook made me laugh out loud several times. I loved how she described all of thei work on their farm, but it would have been refreshing if her kids and husband had rebelled even a little bit! They were incredibly accommodating and helpful all ...more

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Jul 24, 2009 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: nature, gardening, simplicity, nonfiction, memoir, foodie, cooking

Barbara Kingsolver and her family move to a farm in Virginia and attempt to eat local foods, mostly foods they have grown themselves. The chapters are a month by month account of the family’s struggle. Here and there, Kingsolver, with help from her daughter and husband, toss in scary stories of the food we put into our mouths every day. But the family also shows what a great experience it can be for a family to work together to grow, preserve, and cook their own food.

I finished the book and ca ...more

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Oct 22, 2008 Tina rated it really liked it

Shelves: foodie

Ok I finished the beast. I'll admit, I sped read through a lot of it, like when they slaughter the family farm animals - yuk- but I loved the cooking stories and the preserving. It also got me thinking a lot about where my food comes from and if I could actually locate the same products within my area and support local farmers.
I went to the Farmer's market and bought a bunch of salad goodies from local vendors. That made me feel good and they all tasted really great. I also located a place that ...more

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Aug 28, 2008 Alyssa rated it it was amazing

This is an excellent book, especially now when our restaurants are turning to the "fusion" cuisine. Kingsolver speaks in her educated yet storytelling voice to take us through a year in her family's life of eating locally and sustainably. It will make you want to change the way you eat! The articles by her daughter as well as her husband are also well done and great additions to the already well written book. ...more

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Jun 12, 2009 Lisa of Hopewell rated it really liked it

Shelves: ala-notable-nonfiction, read-in-2009

p. 291 What does she mean by a "potholder hug???" I "sense" it, but still..

A Must-read for everyone who cares about food, themselves, farming, "the American Way of Life," you name it. The recipes included all sound great as well!
I forgot to finish this!! I'll pull it out. I've just distracted myself with too many good reading choices right now. ...more

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