Wholistic Woman

Embracing a whole life approach to wellness

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Sometimes I’m not entirely sure where I fit on the foodie spectrum. On the one hand, I have friends who are vegetarians and vegans. On the other hand I have the Weston Price followers who are all about lots of meat (especially organ meat). I tend to think that Westerners eat too much meat and not enough vegetables. I could probably live quite easily without it. I could not be vegan, however; I love cheese way too much!

What intrigued me about Ripe from Around Here: A Vegan Guide to Local and Sustainable Eating (No Matter Where You Live) is the fact that it’s a vegan book that focuses on local eating–something that might not seem to go together.

From the publisher’s website:

[Jae Steele’s] new cookbook underscores the importance of local, sustainable eating and living by helping readers deepen their understanding of organic and local foods, and their positive impact on our health and our planet.

The book includes chapters on the concept of local food and why it’s important; finding a balance between various food issues and personal priorities and values; and the benefits of the local food movement that go beyond reducing the carbon footprint on our plates. It also helps readers become more informed about where their food comes from no matter where they live, whether their source is the farmers’ market or the grocery store down the street.

The 180 recipes, which encourage the use of fresh, organic ingredients wherever possible (as well as potential alternatives, depending on where you live), include Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins, Pear Parsnip Soup, Asparagus and Spring Onion Quiche, Mushroom Asparagus Risotto, and Butternut Chipotle Chocolate Cake.

Jae Steele did a great job, I think, of explaining why she’s a vegan and also incorporating local foods. The first 50 pages are all about being green, and she gives some great information on composting and preserving food. Then the recipes are categorized into different types. While many of them are accessible, the most interesting ones require a juicer or homemade rice or almond milk, neither of which I think I would ever have the time to make.

Overall I really enjoyed this cookbook, and I think it’s a great read even if you are not vegan. If you are, you’ll love it even more!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher; I was not obligated to review it and all opinions are mine.

Congratulations to Colleen, the winner of the giveaway!

Would you like to win my copy?

I have very little room on my bookshelf, so unfortunately this one needs a new home.

You can earn up to three entries:

  1. Comment below saying why this book sounds interesting to you.
  2. Follow  me on Twitter – or tell me if you already do.
  3. Subscribe to my blog – or tell me if you already do.

Please remember to leave a separate comment for each entry, as the winner is automagically drawn by a plugin that randomly chooses from among the comments.

Deadline for entry: Thursday, August 19, 2010, midnight EST. Open to U.S. and Canada.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. June

    I am interested in this book because I am on the path to becoming more vegan. I, too, would probably not be able to give up cheese entirely, but I love to use mostly vegan recipes throughout the week.

  3. Crystal

    i would love this book, not only because I’m vegan and looking for new recipes to try, I also want to start eating more locally produced food. Since I live on an island off the coast of British Columbia, food often travels farther than I have to get to my plate! That’s scary!

  4. Amy

    This book sounds interesting to me because I’m trying to learn to cook and I’m constantly looking for local goods to use in my recipes. I’m not vegan or vegetarian, though I do mostly eat like one (though I, too, could not possibly give up cheese!).

    Also, I do subscribe to your RSS feed on my Google reader! 😀

  6. Naturally Local Michigan

    I would love to win your book and I do follow you on twitter. Naturally Local Michigan is a collaborative venture to promote Local Food, Sustainable Living & Art in Michigan. :o) Your book is right up my alley. Good Job! & Thank You

  8. Pat

    Oh my…what a wonderful idea for a book! The NC State Farmer’s Market is my very FAVORITE place to shop…the produce is INCREDIBLE~~and I need recipes!

  14. jacquie

    while not a vegan i am a vegetarian so the book appeals to me from that angle. and i’m also interested in eating as locally & in season as possible.

    jacquie

  18. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog

    I have to admit what drew me in to the book was the adorable vintage/retro cover!!! Then when I read that it is vegan/sustainable food I was definitely interested!!! I am realllly trying to eat healthier!! thank you for the contest!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

  20. alycep

    I am a huge advocate of eating local and also a cookbook collector so this would be a nice win for me!

  22. Stephanie F

    I’d love to win a copy of this book because I love collecting cookbooks, but this one especially is up my alley due to my desire to continue to eat more locally and green. Thanks for the chance!

  23. Marjorie

    I could use a cookbook that has a lot receipes with veggies, because I never
    seem to eat alot of veggies.
    A super giveaway.

  26. Patricia

    I am interested in this book because we are growing a home orchard and enlarging our veggie garden. I am becoming more vegetarian also.

  28. Chaya

    I would love to win this book because, we are slowly but surely making changes in our eating habits to have a healthier lifestyle.

  33. Suzanne K

    I’d love this book because I have a good sized fruit/veggie garden outside my kitchen (talk about eating local), compost and preserve as much as I can AND a daughter who recently decided to become a vegetarian (not that we ate lots of meat before). I’d like more ideas and tips on supporting that life style in a healthy manner (since it has, by default, also become my lifestyle!)

  36. Coleen

    My husband and I have been moving over to eating vegetarian and I would love to try some vegan recipes as well. This book looks great for new ideas.

  38. Angie

    I’d love to win a copy of this book as I’m a vegetarian (who eats mostly vegan) and I know how important it is for our planet to eat locally. I can always use some new food inspiration! I also love to read others’ reasoning on why they choose a vegan and/or local lifestyle.

  48. nancy

    I’d like to win because I need to know more about sustainable living and I love veggies!

    nblexp at gmail dot com

  49. Rachel Higgs

    crazyred61@yahoo.com
    I would love to win this cookbook because I love food. I have a garden, orchard and pecan/ walnut/ almond grove. I am always looking for new ways to create using the foods God gave us. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

  51. Tanya

    I’d love this book!! I’ve been eating a vegan diet for almost a year now and I shop at the local farmer’s market every week, so this seems like it would fit in perfectly to my eating style 🙂