by Michael Pollan (2009)
What should we have for dinner? The question has confronted us since man discovered fire, but according to Michael Pollan, the bestselling author of The Botany of Desire, how we answer it today, at the dawn of the twenty-first century, may well determine our very survival as a species. Should we eat a fast-food hamburger? Something organic? Or perhaps something we hunt, gather, or grow ourselves? The omnivore’s dilemma has returned with a vengeance, as the cornucopia of the modern American supermarket and fast-food outlet confronts us with a bewildering and treacherous food landscape. What’s at stake in our eating choices is not only our own and our children’s health, but the health of the environment that sustains life on earth. In this groundbreaking book, one of America’s most fascinating, original, and elegant writers turns his own omnivorous mind to the seemingly straightforward question of what we should have for dinner. To find out, Pollan follows each of the food chains that sustain us—industrial food, organic or alternative food, and food we forage ourselves—from the source to a final meal, and in the process develops a definitive account of the American way of eating. His absorbing narrative takes us from Iowa cornfields to food-science laboratories, from feedlots and fast-food restaurants to organic farms and hunting grounds, always emphasizing our dynamic coevolutionary relationship with the handful of plant and animal species we depend on. Each time Pollan sits down to a meal, he deploys his unique blend of personal and investigative journalism to trace the origins of everything consumed, revealing what we unwittingly ingest and explaining how our taste for particular foods and flavors reflects our evolutionary inheritance. The surprising answers Pollan offers to the simple question posed by this book have profound political, economic, psychological, and even moral implications for all of us. Beautifully written and thrillingly argued, The Omnivore’s Dilemma promises to change the way we think about the politics and pleasure of eating. For anyone who reads it, dinner will never again look, or taste, quite the same. ([source][1]) [1]:
Dr. Frank Lipman, M.D. & Danielle Claro
Examines "the often contradictory information that bombards us daily and delivers 175 actionable tips that [are intended to] improve every aspect of our health--body, mind, and soul. Readers will learn simple rules for getting a good night's sleep, why a daily dose of sunlight is crucial, and which toxic cosmetics and kitchen products should be tossed"--Amazon.com.
Melia Marden
Marsden has developed an ever-changing seasonal menu rooted in Mediterranean flavor, and presents easy Mediterranean-inspired recipes for the home cook. These recipes pack fresh ingredients and bold flavor without requiring special techniques or equipment.
Julie Reiner with Kaitlyn Goalen
Julie Reiner, the co-owner of The Clover Club in Brooklyn and The Flatiron Lounge in Manhattan, has written a book that provides inspiration for the rest of us, not only the cocktail geeks. She wants to balance the needs of the everyday drinker with those of the passionate mixologist. Recipes are organized around seasonality and occasion, with different events and themes appropriate to the specific time of the year. Each section will include a mixture of holiday-inspired drinks, classic cocktails, and innovative new drinks, all along with fun cocktail lore. Tricks, tips, and techniques--such as batching and infusions, tools of the trade, notes on spirit types, and easy substitutions to utilize what you already have on hand--will round out the amazing amount of information in Reiner's book.
Julie Morris
"Everyone loves smoothies and this is the ultimate smoothie book, written by Julie Morris, author of Superfood Kitchen and a superfood expert! Morris whips up 100 nutrient-rich recipes using the world's most antioxidant-, vitamin- and mineral-packed foods, and offers innovative culinary methods for making your smoothies incredibly nutritious and delicious. Whether you're looking for an energy boost, seeking a gentle cleanse, or just trying to get healthy, you'll be inspired to power up the blender!"-- "Everyone loves smoothies. Everyone! With an infinite number of delicious, natural flavors, colors, and health benefits to mix and match, smoothies are the easiest way to embrace a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis. Now you can give your smoothie-blending routine a boost when you use the most antioxidant-, vitamin-, and mineral-packed foods in the world: superfoods. Superfood Smoothies offers 100 nutrient-dense recipes plus innovative culinary methods to get the most health benefits and pack in the maximum amount of nutrition into every incredible drop of these satisfying drinks. You'll discover which superfoods are the best for smoothies; find out which ingredients to avoid; and learn countless secrets to making your smoothies more nutritious (and more delicious) than anything you could buy in the store. From athletes to kids to fast-paced executives, and to anyone seeking a gentle cleanse, Superfood Smoothies will upgrade your nutrition, energize your day, and inspire you to power up your blender now!"--