After the warm hugs, cute babies, and nostalgic family photo albums, normalcy returns.  All a sudden, reality intrudes into the joie de vivre.

Introspection while taking down the Christmas tree brings a sudden awareness of a rude reality. Two kids over the age of thirty did not reciprocate with gift giving.  This led to the revelation that the same is true of birthdays.  Oftentimes, however, a greeting card or phone call happens.

One kid can afford Sirius Radio, a decked out stereo system, and a megalithic sized television – and only comes forth with a gift every so often.  The other one has never reciprocated.  He’s the one who begged the question of “Why should I take a girl out to dinner, when I can have two dinners for myself? 

Patiently waiting for maturity to develop, it’s easy to overlook and create excuses for the tightwad offspring.  Part and parcel of being good natured is how suddenly the feeling that someone has just stepped on your head becomes clear.

A list of self made excuses goes as follows:

• Oh well, these poor kids are the product of a vicious divorce. 
• They’ve seen plenty of other people taking advantage of Dad, so why shouldn’t they?
• Being child victims of a ferocious break up, they saw all the child support going into the purchase of a singular prestigious SUV for the ex to drive.  (The net worth of the vehicle was only slightly less than their home in a shabby neighborhood.)
• Embittered divorcee blathering successfully brainwashed the kids, making forgiveness appear to be some kind of weakness.

What were the kids thinking?  Nothing.  They still can’t think for themselves because of a dictatorial mother who idolizes power, and is intent on creating clones instead of mentally healthy kids.

After looking at the whole picture, thoughts of more excuses for the kids’ miserly mind-set reveal an underlying irony.

Both kids developed a self serving and convoluted sense of empathy; in doing so, they grew up to be cheap skates themselves. The mother’s descriptions became something they thought they knew of their father due to what she spitefully hammered into their heads.  She didn’t mind using the children for pawns in her game of revenge.  This trait, as described by the wild spender mom, was mordant and to her end, effective; the so called tightfistedness was all they really knew of to emulate of their father.  

Divorced parents who bad rap the ex might want to think twice before villainizing the former spouse.

How often do we gather our own food? Try
to think of a time where you did. Are you counting the time you went to the
supermarket? While we technically gather everything together in our cart, we
are not truly experiencing the gathering of old. Yes, we pick which specific
fruit we want, just like apple picking, but it is all in a controlled
environment. Just like with hunting, only those truly embracing the idea of
gathering are actually fully experiencing the feelings associated with it. It
is those who look for mushrooms, truffles, and the like, who are in fact
immersing themselves in the gathering culture.

            In
Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma:
A Natural History of Four Meals, the author takes quite a bit of time to
elaborate on the many forms of food production and where it all comes from. He
even dedicates a chapter to gathering, though, mostly only for mushrooms. While
this is but a small portion of the book, it is still an interesting look at
something many do not likely consider when it comes to getting their food.

            Gathering
is a throwback to the days of old more than anything. Food now is rarely
gathered due to the high demand for it. Mostly only artisans and connoisseurs
really search out in this way anymore. People who actually appreciate this
simple exercise. It is not only good for the food but good for the soul. As
Pollan points out, there is a lot of meaning behind gathering for humans. We
are forced to figure out whether or not something is truly edible or may poison
us, something modern people rarely, if ever do. Gathering opens up a more
natural part of us. It forces us to be closer to our food and more
knowledgeable about it. It is an entirely different gathering experience than
at the supermarket.

            Gathering is something that many
only ever do in video games. In real life, it is a thing more or less of the
past. Our attachment to the earth is much more tenuous and far reaching. the
food we eat and the earth it comes from are rarely ever seen by

We love our cats! They are aesthetically pleasing and endlessly entertaining. In this episode: the adventures of four feral kittens, the Fab Four. Learn how they were rescued and started their journey to a new life.

This material is copyrighted. Please do not distribute/reproduce it without permission. A link to the article may be distributed/reproduced. http://www.copyright.gov/

The cat portraits are courtesy of Animal Humane New Mexico

In a previous episode, we introduced Chico and Chaco (http://gomestic.com/pets/we-love-our-cats-chico-chaco-and-the-pink-spotted-thing-part-1/). They are two feral kittens abandoned by their mother. We rescued them in July 2012 and civilised them, ready for adoption. Chaco and Chico eventually were adopted (http://gomestic.com/pets/we-love-our-cats-chico-chaco-and-the-pink-spotted-thing-part-2/ ) separately in August and September 2012. We wish them long, healthy and happy lives with their new forever families.

Lady Chanel, their mother, was caught and spayed/vaccinated while her kittens were in our care. MamaCat’s three kittens (born in March 2012) were also trapped, neutered or spayed (two females and one male) and vaccinated as well. However MamaCat eluded our trap, got pregnant again and went into seclusion as she’d done previously.  She showed up the first week of August 2012 but wasn’t pregnant any more. We didn’t see any sign of kittens until MamaCat came round with them in September. There were four: two black with short hair, one grey shorthaired tabby and one grey fluffy tabby. She was weaning them; they ate the minced chicken and the dry food put out for our feral freeloaders. We decided not to let them grow up on the streets as their siblings had. First we caught MamaCat and got her spayed and vaccinated. The kittens had been hidden again but she brought them back after a couple of days. It was time to act. The Quarantine Suite (aka the main bathroom) was prepared once more, with two beds, clean litter box and new toys. Breakables were removed, cabinets locked, food and water put in place.

The humane trap (http://www.trucatchtraps.com) we have isn’t really suitable for capturing kittens. They’re too small to reliably spring the mechanism. We fastened the door of the trap open and left it for the kittens to examine for a few days. This had worked before with their older siblings. The cats get used to it and don’t hesitate to enter when it’s baited.The plan was to attach a light rope to the trap’s door, running through the porch door (left slightly ajar), where we’d hold it. After enticing a kitten in, controlled release of the rope would allow the trap to be sprung carefully without endangering small tails or paws.

One late October morning, we managed to grab one of the kittens while the group came to eat their minced chicken breakfast. Kitten was so intent on eating, it didn’t notice us moving in for the capture. The adults were equally occupied and didn’t stop the abduction. We got Junior into the Quarantine Suite. The same move was attempted at the dinner session but no luck. Time for the trap!

Next day the trap was situated in front of a cat crate used for recovery after surgery. A toy was dangled in the narrow space between the two, rope holding the trap door open. The next kitten, the shorthaired tabby, came to look. Kitty 2 walked into the trap and we closed the door. Next guest transported to the Quarantine Suite. Two to go.

The same trick was attempted on the third day at midday. An extra portion of minced chicken was provided at lunchtime every day to assist MamaCat in her convalescence. The remaining two kittens came with her and the other older siblings. A different toy was dangled in the space behind the trap. The longhaired tabby wandered in, closely followed by the other black kitty. Trap door let down quietly and both were caught! They joined their other two siblings in the Quarantine Suite for a family reunion. Interestingly, MamaCat didn’t seem to mind. She didn’t spend any time looking for them, as had Lady Chanel for her sons Chico and Chaco. Perhaps MamaCat realised she’d finally had enough kittens. We knew 17 of them; there may have been more.

 Ms Shortie    Mr MI-5

The kitties were named the Fab Four until we could determine their genders. They were left to themselves in the Quarantine Suite, other than to feed them and clean the litter box, for two days. We talked to them gently when we went in there and tossed the toys around to keep the guests occupied. On the third day, their civilising began. They already were using the litter box correctly, so no more need be done there. They ate everything we gave them without being fussy. A useful trait for adoptable kittens.

Every time we went into the Quarantine Suite, we used toys to tempt the kittens but didn’t try to pet them. It’s better to let them come on their own. They were curious enough to sniff a bit but then they’d run off. However, eventually thelarger  black kitten came to investigate our feet. That one got named ‘Braveheart’. A quick examination revealed Braveheart to be male. Once he got friendly, the two grey kittens (longhaired male MI-5 and shorthaired female Shortie) started to come closer. The other (black) smaller kitten just hid and hissed at us. That one earned the name ‘GrumpyGrouch’.

 Braveheart   Ms GrumpyGrouch

The civilising process intensified. In order to be adoptable the kittens needed to be used being handled. The Fab Four were each picked up briefly several times per day. When possible, they were wiped down gently with a warm damp washcloth to simulate MamaCat’s care. Then, we started to brush them briefly. Long-haired MI-5 came round quickly and loved it! Eventually they all liked the attention. By then we’d worked out all their genders: Braveheart and MI-5 were males, the other two, females.

They were easier to handle as time ran on. They all loved to play with the jinglebell balls (far into the night). Pieces of newspaper, crumpled or twisted were equally popular. Another favourite was a fringe of Mylar attached to a thin plastic rod. The two teasers had been given to us by the city animal shelter when we adopted one of our Divas. The kittens found the rod just as interesting as the Mylar.

Eventually all of the Fab Four allowed us to briefly cuddle them. Three of the Four also came onto any available lap; Ms GrumpyGrouch held back. She still liked being stroked, to the point of rolling over and exposing her belly for more. It took her longer to warm up; the others were quite friendly at that point. They would come up as we brought in the food and water. Brushing was still popular, with MI-5 even pushing the others aside to get his turn! The normal kittenish squabbling never got out of hand, although the three larger kittens tended to push Ms GrumpyGrouch around somewhat.

We decided to take them to Animal Humane in the middle of November. Keeping them longer would have been ideal but there were other pressing matters looming. They wouldn’t have received all the attention they deserved after that. It’s always a sad moment. We’d previously taken a stray adult calico cat to AH. She was adopted almost immediately. She’d only been our guest for a week and it was difficult enough to let her go.

  Ms Calico Oct 2012

The cat carriers were cleaned, lined with a towel and placed in the Quarantine Suite. The doors were left open. Predictably the kittens investigated. When the time came, two each went into a carrier and the door latched. They were covered with a sheet and positioned so the Fab Four could see each other. Our guests were loaded into the car and the carriers strapped in with the seat belts. The drive to Animal Humane was short and peaceful.

Upon arrival, there was paperwork to fill out. Questions are always asked about the behaviour of the animal to be admitted. We pointed out that the Fab Four were ex-ferals that needed a bit more socialising. They were too small to go to a household with young children or dogs. Not once had they tried to bite or scratch us, other than at playtime. We also felt that the small black female (we didn’t dare say we named her Ms GrumpyGrouch) would do better away from the others, who bullied her. No matter what we said, it would be up to the admitting technicians to determine if they were adoptable.

The kittens in their carriers were taken away and we waited. A woman in the waiting room was returning a recently-adopted cat. What was the problem? The poor cat had soiled the adopter’s bed. Any nervous cat in a new home might do that; it’s dealt with easily enough with a bit of patience. Animal Humane even provides advice and training to help adopters with problems. That particular adopter was even unkind to the cat in the waiting room. Did she try to give back her children (assuming she had any) when they soiled their nappies? Fortunately she was banned from ever adopting again from either Animal Humane or the city animal shelter.

We were glad when the technicians came back without the carriers! Our Fab Four had acquitted themselves perfectly! Although Ms GrumpyGrouch did indeed need more work, she’d be adoptable in time. The adoption fees were paid, the kittens renamed and our receipt with their information handed over. It’s possible to follow any admitted animal’s history at the AH Websiteto see when they get adopted.

Now it was a matter of waiting and checking the adoptable cat Website (http://animalhumanenm.org/pets/adopt/adoptable_pets/index.php) to see how the Fab Four got on.

Afterword (December 2012)

Three of the Fab Four have found homes:

*Mr MI-5 (code name Wilbur) was adopted 23 November 2012.

*Braveheart (code name Monte) was also adopted 23 November but then returned two weeks later. The adopter claimed allergies. However he was then adopted 17 December.

*Ms Shortie (code name Lexa) was adopted 15 December.

*Ms GrumpyGrouch (code name Felicia) is being fostered separately. She contracted kennel cough (an upper respiratory infection) and needs more time to recover. Watch this space!

We wish them long, healthy and happy lives in their new forever homes!

More cat stories:

• Savaging a Towel  http://therealowner.com/cats/why-we-love-our-cats-savaging-a-towel/
• Curtain Combat  http://therealowner.com/cats/we-love-our-cats-curtain-combat/
• The Gang of Four http://trifter.com/usa-canada/the-land-of-enchantment-mountain-moonrise-and-the-gang-of-four/
• Commuter Kittens  http://trifter.com/usa-canada/new-mexico/land-of-enchantment-cold-nights-and-commuter-kittens/
• Chico, Chaco and the Pink-Spotted Thing http://gomestic.com/pets/we-love-our-cats-chico-chaco-and-the-pink-spotted-thing-part-1/ 
• Chico, Chaco and the Pink-Spotted Thing 2  http://gomestic.com/pets/we-love-our-cats-chico-chaco-and-the-pink-spotted-thing-part-2/

Spay/neuter your pets!
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/why_spay_neuter.html

Shelter strays may get euthanised if not adopted.
http://www.battersea.org.uk/cats/

Eating is a social event. Some people believe that food even tastes better when eaten in good company. Whether this is true or not, eating is an experience best shared in one way or another. If you cannot express your enjoyment to others, the experience of food decreases quite a bit. Sharing a compliment with the chef or telling your companion to have a bite add just the right flavor to any meal. If you made it yourself then seeing others enjoy it is what ends up mattering to you all the more than your own enjoyment. Food helps us to understand one another.

            In Alice, Let’s Eat: Further Adventures of a Happy Eater by Calvin Trillin, we learn about Alice and Calvin as a couple through their experiences with food. Calvin is a food enthusiast, a foodie, a gourmand. Whatever you want to call him, his love of food is more than obvious and sometimes leans towards ridiculous. Alice is also a lover of food, but not exactly in the same vein as Calvin. Throughout the book one can see the differences between the two yet food still brings them together quite often.

            The book is simply set up in chapters which often revolve around one topic. Each chapter’s topic is in some way related to food, of course. Calvin Trillin would not have it any other way. What makes this interesting is that the way each chapter addresses food is not always direct. Each exploit is rather silly and rarely serious. This makes the book move by at a leisurely pace. It is an easy read that is likely to make you chuckle along with your rumbling stomach. Due to Calvin’s eccentricities, you may just be laughing at times because his love of food likely outdoes yours. He will eat most anything.

            The only characters we really learn about are Calvin, Alice, and their two girls. In this way, it is an intimate look at their relationship and family dynamic. While the book does not have a specific plot or goal, it still feels like it is hitting its mark by the end. If the reader does not feel satisfied, there are many other books written by Calvin Trillin in which to delve into. There’s even more about Alice.

            Calvin’s love of food is infectious. While we may not always agree with him, it is hard not to smile and read on. While Calvin’s book alone might be too much for some people, this is also Alice’s book. This makes it a bit more grounded. Alice allows for the reader to feel more at home with what is going on in each story. Just as she is Calvin’s constant companion, she is the readers as well. We learn to hold back from Alice and to fly free from Calvin. They demonstrate quite a bit about life and relationships.

            This book is just as much about food as it is about life. It is simple and fun enough to read with little consequence while still holding as much depth as it does. It is a worthwhile read for food lover and simply for food eaters.

People are passionate for many things. We cannot live without a hobby or two. For some people, hobbies extend from being simply for fun to being a career. This is sadly only for the lucky ones. Not all hobbies translate well to careers. Those that do may lose their passion for it. Others are so passionate that their love can only flourish. If you truly love something, nothing should ever take away that particular feeling you hold for it in your heart. Hobbies can change but a true lover of something will never change their mind.

            Calvin Trillin is one such connoisseur. He is a man whose passion knows no bounds. His love of food does not stop even when the waist band of his pants does. This is demonstrated quite well in his many books including Alice, Let’s Eat: Further Adventures of a Happy Eater. His passion literally drips off each page as he eats and eats and talks about food even when you would not expect him to. Food is always his top priority even when he goes on vacation. While his wife, Alice, tries to tame him and be reasonable, he tries to convince her about making another stop for food on their way to dinner. Some might see his passion to excessive, but this shows how true his passion is in a way.

            Everyone eats. This is a simple fact. How can we not be passionate about food? To some extent, everyone is, whether there is something we really love or loathe entirely. We are passionate about food because we encounter it every day. Calvin has turned this into a hobby, an art form. Not everyone could go to the lengths he does just to get as much flavor from his travels as he does. Many people would get sick trying to eat as much as him. Full to bursting being his general ideal. It is amazing that he loves food in such quantities.

            We all have our hobbies, our passions. Calvin’s love of food reflects more than just a passion for what is on his plate. It is the idea of it being full, like his life, that really shines through in the end.

Eating for Two

            Eating
is a social event. Some people believe that food even tastes better when eaten
in good company. Eating is an experience best shared in one way or another. If
you cannot express your enjoyment to others, the experience of food decreases
quite a bit. Sharing a compliment with the chef or telling your companion to
have a bite add just the right flavor to any meal. If you made it yourself then
seeing others enjoy it is what ends up mattering to you all the more than your
own enjoyment. Food helps us to understand one another.

            In
Alice, Let’s Eat: Further Adventures of a
Happy Eater by Calvin Trillin, we learn about Alice and Calvin as a couple
through their experiences with food. Calvin is a food enthusiast, a foodie, a
gourmand. Whatever you want to call him, his love of food is more than obvious
and sometimes leans towards ridiculous. Alice is also a lover of food, but not
exactly in the same vein as Calvin. Throughout the book one can see the
differences between the two yet food still brings them together quite often.

            The
book is simply set up in chapters which often revolve around one topic. Each
chapter’s topic is in some way related to food, of course. Calvin Trillin would
not have it any other way. What makes this interesting is that the way each
chapter addresses food is not always direct. Each exploit is rather silly and rarely
serious. This makes the book move by at a leisurely pace. It is an easy read
that is likely to make you chuckle along with your rumbling stomach. Due to
Calvin’s eccentricities, you may just be laughing at times because his love of
food likely outdoes yours. He will eat most anything.

            The
only characters we really learn about are Calvin, Alice, and their two girls.
In this way, it is an intimate look at their relationship and family dynamic.
While the book does not have a specific plot or goal, it still feels like it is
hitting its mark by the end. If the reader does not feel satisfied, there are
many other books written by Calvin Trillin in which to delve into. There’s even
more about Alice.

            Calvin’s
love of food is infectious. While we may not always agree with him, it is hard
not to smile and read on. While Calvin’s book alone might be too much for some
people, this is also Alice’s book. This makes it a bit more grounded. Alice
allows for the reader to feel more at home with what is going on in each story.
Just as she is Calvin’s constant companion, she is the readers as well. We
learn to hold back from Alice and to fly free from Calvin. They demonstrate
quite a bit about life and relationships.

            This
book is just as much about food as it is about life. It is simple and fun
enough to read with little consequence while still holding as much depth as it
does. It is a worthwhile read for food lover and simply for food eaters.

It is already December, the weather is getting cold, its dark when you leave for work and its dark again when you come back home.  It often happens to us that we feel lazier, less active and we less feel like doing anything. It brings our mood down and our weight up – a critical point of winter and Christmas time for women especially. Now this does not necessarily have to be the way; with a few easy tips, you can fight back your winter blues, and also bring back down those few pounds you may have gained during the Christmas period.

First, watch what you eat! It is inevitable to fall for the treats in the winter period, but you should not forget about healthy eating. Choose foods that fill you up with energy without overwhelming your body with too many calories and carbs. Combine meat with a lot of veggies like lentils, chickpeas, peas – these fill you up with energy, are full of fibres and nutrients, but will not increase the amount of fat in your body. Don’t avoid salads either; tomato, carrot, celery or lettuce salads accompany nicely any meat. You can include nuts into your daily diet. A great and nutritive salad would include, for example, grated celery with walnuts, under a delicate coat of sour cream topping. If you want to make it a whole meal, add pieces of  chicken or steamed shrimp to it. You can find lots of healthy recipes  at http://www.marialiberati.com and The Basic Art of Italian cooking:Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition.

You can also choose nuts and crackers during the day. Better to eat a few pieces of almonds, nuts or walnuts. To spice up the choice a little bit, you can include cashew nuts as well, or macadamia nuts. Nuts are oily though  and thus contain fat, which, in a small amount, stimulates your digestion and supplies your body with the sufficient amount of calories without adding carbs to your daily diet. A handful of nuts for a day needs to be sufficient both in quantity and in nutrients as well.

Besides  what you eat, you mustn’t forget about a good  workout to keep you from falling into the winter blues. Even though you may not really feel like moving or doing a particularly strong physical activity, you should convince yourself of the positive outcome of a workout. If you do half an hour daily, or 4-5 times a week, you already did much to fight back the winter mood. In addition, winter offers a few nice ways to move your body and boost your metabolism without you could even notice!

In the beginning of December, ice rinks open already all around the bigger cities and towns everywhere. Get your friends out there and get on the ice! An hour of skating would work your body and cheer you up, especially if you are in good company! In addition, if you have children, or a child’s spirit inside of you, go out at the first snow and play along with the playful ones: snowballing or building a snowman lifts depression, keeps you from eating your blues away and uses energy as well.

Besides, you still have a calm corner in your home where you can practice any kind of workout, from a refreshing yoga sequence to an energetic cardio workout. Should you prefer sporting in company, feel free to visit a fitness club and join a class. Try something new or keep doing what you already know you like; the point is: move!

Even though physical fitness helps a lot to keep you energetic and motivated, you should also pay attention to your mental balance. Work becomes even harder when its dark and cold outside; you may easily find yourself mentally more tired than usual. In this case, don’t hesitate to refill your spirit and get some rest! It is not a waste of money to get yourself a massage or dine out from time to time. Winter is the season of theatre and cinema, so use it! Go out when you feel like, don’t get stuck at home because of  the cold weather. If you don’t have invitations, don’t be afraid to take the initiative and start organizing a getaway with friends! Even a long weekend with family / friends can fit in your schedule, all you need is the will.

And in the evening, get yourself a relaxing and hot bath, and a good night’s sleep, before the next working day!

Waste is a byproduct of life. It is impossible for human beings to live their lives without making waste. One of the biggest areas in our lives that leads to waste is food consumption. Just think of all the food we eat in one day. Consider how it is packaged and what we simply throw out without a second thought. What you may not consider is the fact that even more waste occurs than what we see. Imagine the backrooms of stores and supermarkets, if you have never worked in retail. It is not pretty. What about the waste of fuel in bringing food to us? How often do we think of that? Most of the food in supermarkets travels much farther than we do in order to get there. The problem is, can we cut down on all of this wastefulness?

            Barbara Kingsolver is a well-known author whose thoughts and ideas inspire many. In her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, she cooperates with her husband and daughter to create a book about eating locally and much more. In the book, Kingsolver discusses many different topics about food, farming, and eating locally. Kingsolver tries to get across a large number of ideas that are as varied as her garden and one of these which stands out is the idea of waste.

            One of the biggest reasons to try to eat locally is in order to reduce one’s carbon footprint. By eating what is locally available, you will help to save on the fuel that is used to get your food to you. This means that you have to eat in season, of course, which is something many people have no idea how to do. Sadly, due to the way grocery stores work, we do not even know what is in season, but thankfully it is not impossible to learn. By eating within the season, this means that your food will not be coming from far away where it is being grown out of season. Simply put, eating locally causes you to save on waste quite a bit.

            Due to the difficulties of eating locally it can be a good idea to grow some of your own food. This self-sufficient farming can help you in many ways, as demonstrated in Kingsolver’s own experiences. What she learns is not just about waste or local food. It is much deeper than that, which is exactly what she hopes to get across.

Fruits and vegetables tend to come from the ground. Technically, meat even comes from the earth. All food shares its origin whether it is canned or frozen. How we receive it comes in just as many ways as we may cook it. Despite the fact that food is of the utmost importance to us as functioning human beings, we do not always prioritize it. Some of us may even look at it simply as a means to an end and nothing more. But there is so much more to what we eat than we consider and as such we do not even consider eating locally.

            Barbara Kingsolver is not one to simply overlook something. As a world-renowned author, she takes the time to think and explore. In her book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, Kingsolver and her family attempt to live their lives while eating locally and growing their own food on their farm. What they learn is much more than the reader may expect.

            Readers of her other books may find themselves right at home with Kingsolver’s writing but this is not a guarantee due to the content of the book. What is guaranteed is a book that is written quite colorfully with Kingsolver’s usual wit. Another author may not be able to pull off telling stories the way Kingsolver does. Even when not telling stories, she still has a way with her researched words. Due to Kingsolver’s knack for telling stories, these are the parts that shine and may leave some reader’s wanting during heavily informational sections.

            Along with Kingsolver’s words, we are also able to experience those of her husband, Stephen, and her daughter, Camille. Throughout the book, sections pop up that are written by Stephen and relate to something Kingsolver has been discussing. Often these sections are factual with links to websites at the end. They read like tips and tidbits and add more context to certain parts of the overall story.

            Rounding off the end of almost every chapter, Camille, being younger than our other contributors, brings a different point of view to the table. This allows for younger readers to perhaps find themselves more able to understand and become enthusiastic about the idea of local eating. Of course, Camille is also rather unique due to her upbringing.

            Camille also puts recipes on the table, creating another light, delicious layer. The recipes reflect the seasons and as such can be all the more enticing simply because they will reflect what you might have at hand. They also have a way of teaching by example just what is in season. Perhaps they might even make you want to eat local all the more.

            Not all readers will agree with what they find in the pages of this book, of course, due to Kingsolver’s beliefs being shaped by the specific course of her life. Like any good author, Kingsolver realizes this and merely hopes that she can make you think. Her enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter wafts from the pages like the smells of freshly harvested fruit and pulls you in, perhaps, to take a bite.