tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260077.post-84697469157134251132008-07-15T13:44:00.000-07:002008-07-15T13:44:00.160-07:00One of the things I enjoyed most about "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle-Year-Food/dp/0060852569/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216076109&sr=8-1">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</a>" was Barbara Kingsolver's honest appreciation for the joys of preparing good food. I love her term for it: “the nurturing arts." <br /><br />Listen to what she writes (I’m omitting a few large sections here, indicated by the ellipses):<br /><br /><blockquote>“Cooking is a dying art in our culture…I belong to the generation of women who took as our youthful rallying cry: Allow us a good education so we won't have to slave in the kitchen.<br />……….<br />When we traded homemaking for careers, we were implicitly promised economic independence and worldly influence. But a devil of a bargain it has turned out to be in terms of daily life. We gave up the aroma of warm bread rising, the measured pace of nurturing routines, the creative tasks of molding our families’ tastes and zest for life; we received in exchange the minivan and the Lunchable. (Or worse, convenience-mart hot dogs and latchkey kids.) I consider it the great hoodwink of my generation.<br />…….<br />Full-time homemaking may not be an option for those of us delivered without trust funds into the modern era. But approaching mealtimes as a creative opportunity rather than a chore, is an option. Required participation from spouse and kids is an element of the equation. An obsession with spotless collars, ironing, and kitchen floors you can eat off of—not so much. We've earned the right to forget about stupefying household busywork. But kitchens where food is cooked and eaten; those were really a good idea. We threw that baby out with the bathwater. It may be advisable to grab her by her slippery foot and haul her back in here before it’s too late.” <br /><br />("Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," p. 126-128)</blockquote><br /><br />And just as much as I enjoyed hearing an educated, intelligent woman sing the praises of cooking for her family, I enjoyed her daughter Camille’s recipes and menu plans. I've <a href="http://jens_page.blogspot.com/2008/07/zucchini-tomato-frittata.html">already tried</a> one of them, with excellent results.<br /><br />At the end of each chapter, these menu plans provide practical examples of eating according to the seasons. Their suggested recipes for July include a Grilled Vegetable Panini that sounds delicious, plus Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies that she claims pass the kid test for tastiness. All their recipes and meal plans are available for free download <a href="http://animalvegetablemiracle.com/">here</a>. <br /><br />Their descriptions of cooking and canning were quite inspiring, to tell you the truth. (Raising and butchering poultry, not so much). It made me want to grow a big garden next year and preserve everything in sight, then literally eat the fruits of my labors all winter long. I am even tempted to try making my own cheese, after reading about how supposedly easy and delicious it is. (I think my husband thought I was weird when I told him I was considering taking up cheese-making).<br /><br />Final verdict on “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle?” Definitely worth reading if you have any interest at all in food. The writing is excellent, and even if you’re not especially interested in environmental issues, I guarantee it will make you think.Jen Rousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15318797787773072481noreply@blogger.com