Slashfood Reads: Barbara Kingsolver on the ethics of eating

by Marisa McClellan, Posted Jul 23rd 2007 @ 6:31PM

I am still working my way through Barbara Kingsolver's latest book (written along with her husband and older daughter) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It's about her family's year of eating only locally grown and produced foods, most of which they grew or raised themselves on their land in Virginia. They experienced both struggles and joys in the process and learned a great deal about their local food supply chain. Their approach isn't for everyone. They were more prepared than most folks to take on a year of local eating. They had the space, a friendly growing climate and the time to do a lot of the work themselves. But being that issues of food and the distance it travels to get to our plates are on on the minds of many right now, Kingsolver's book is helpful in exploring ways to reduce your own carbon food-print.

If you're interested in the book, but want to get a taste before committing yourself to reading it, you should check out the July 19th edition of "Speaking of Faith," a weekly radio show from American Public Media. Kingsolver spoke with host Krista Tippett about the Ethics of Eating, delving into her family's experience, the process of growing much of what she eats and how she sees this country taking many positives steps towards local eating.

Filed Under: Farming, Real Kitchens, Ingredients, Books
Tags: america, Animal Vegetable Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver, Ethics of Eating, EthicsOfEating, Krista Tippett, local eating, organic, real kitchens, Speaking of Faith

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-24-2007 @10:18AM eva said... This is such a great book!

Not only is she a HILARIOUS writer, but the story she tells is incredibly inspiring. She's not a proselytizer, which a lot of folks fear from the 'reduce-your-carbon-footprint' camp, so I feel like she's an accessible advocate, not overbearing in her methods but certainly clear in her message.

Oh, yeah, and it's AWESOME book for foodies, too--great recipes and rich descriptions of the things they eat.
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7-24-2007 @12:18PM wynk said... I've been wanting to read this since they mentioned it on NPR. Hmmm.
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7-24-2007 @9:00PM Marion in Savannah said... Well, I'm sure that's all well and good. I've got 1/4 acre, and there's a house on it. I also have 2 jobs to pay for said house and 1/4 acre. I grow herbs, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach and peas when it's not too hot, garlic, asparagus, peppers, and I'm trying to figure out how to defeat The Dreaded Squash Vine Borer. As for all the rest, I'd love to have the room and, more necessary, the great lashings of cash it would require.
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