Saturday 14 March 2015

"Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" - Books I Love

The Wave 



Photo taken by my friend Dianne while we sat on the beach a few weeks ago


“The waves broke and spread their waters swiftly over the shore. One after another they massed themselves and fell; the spray tossed itself back with the energy of their fall. The waves were steeped deep-blue save for a pattern of diamond-pointed light on their backs which rippled as the backs of great horses ripple with muscles as they move. The waves fell; withdrew and fell again, like the thud of a great beast stamping.” 
― Virginia WoolfThe Waves


The waves around here are about to become huge. We are awaiting cyclone Pam - with waves estimated to be at 8 metres.
The positive spin? - I am looking forward to collecting lots of seaweed next week - there hasn't been much lately.
A local extreme surf competition has been postponed until Monday, by which time the surf will be definitely extreme!

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

It's a good time to read books (any excuse really).

I was excited to find Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" in our local library recently, having read accounts from others as to how this book changed their lives. 


The book follows a year in which the author and her family move to a small farm in the Southern Appalachians, USA, where they undertake to live as locavores  - probably before this was trendy (first published 2007).
I loved reading this book, it just sat well with me. It was about seasonal eating, which must be so much harder in climates where it snows in Winter, but they managed by preserving food and learning what could be bought locally.
They grow as much of their own food as possible, cooking from scratch, not buying processed foods.
Eldest daughter Camille has contributed pages of insight and recipes.
I've come away from it determined to try making the 30 minute mozzarella cheese.
We don't have poultry and most likely never will, but I loved the chapter about their turkeys. 
I hope this book continues to inspire thousands more people.
You can click on this link for the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle  website



3 comments:

  1. If you visit the Animal Vegetable, Miracle site you will find the Mozzarella recipe under Summer recipes

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  2. I love this book! Well, actually I love anything she has written, but I've read this one several times. Hope you and your home are safe from the coming cyclone.

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    1. Thanks Cynthia - the storm was not as severe as expected by the time it hit, so no damage. I've just been to the beach and got 2 huge bags of seaweed for the garden.

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