Audiobook Review- Animal,Vegetable,Miracle

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

I have been listening to this audiobook for the past couple of weeks, and I must say that I it has made me think about the food I serve my family (and myself) in a totally new light. Kingsolver reads the book herself, which is a plus for me. Having the author interpret her own work gives it an extra personal quality, especially when said author has a pleasant, lilting southern accent. The book chronicles Kingsolver’s family’s attempts to grow or raise as much of their own food as possible on their Appalachian farm, while procuring the rest locally. It isn’t always easy for them, but, according to the author, the benefits in health and togetherness diminish the challenges.

     Before I go further, let me say that I will not be raising my own Thanksgiving turkey in my backyard, nor do I plan to give up bananas, which are a decidedly non-local food option. However, I have been inspired to pay much more attention to the items I buy in the grocery store, and I now spend a lot more time reading food labels. What I have found on those labels is quite shocking, and after some research I have determined not to buy any food item containing propylene glycol, xantham gum, or EDTA, among other nasty chemicals.

     Getting my own family on board this health habit has proved a bit tricky, however. It sounds like a good idea, but I have come face-to-face with some entrenched habits when I, for example, refused to drive through Taco Bell after school or wouldn’t re-supply the sodas in the garage fridge. I especially knew I had more work to do when Ted and Sophie came proudly home from the store last weekend bearing their purchase of “organic” cheese puffs. Oh well, I guess you have to start somewhere…

     My rating: Good, and worth a read (or a listen). But skip the parts where Kingsolver’s husband reads all the agriculture and meat packing industry facts. No offense, but that part is boring and sounds a bit conspiratorial to me. Just listen to Barbara tell about the juicy heirloom tomatoes and morel mushrooms. You’ll be inspired to head out to the farmer’s market next weekend and skip all those processed foods in the grocery store.