Happy Earth Day, everyone! To celebrate, I spent some time observing the native wildlife.
Aren’t those stripes cool? I think I am destined to become a serious birdwatcher in old age, based on my love for taking photos of birds. Maybe then I will actually start learning the names of the various species! I call this bird the Fashionable Striped One.
I also indulged in a little earth-friendly consumerism.
A basil plant! I haven’t had one in years. I haven’t even had a plant since I moved from Illinois to Texas. I couldn’t move my plants, so I gave them away. This spring, I want a little patio garden. Next up: tomato plants and a new pot for my little basil beauty.
And a new cookbook! As my friend JD and AMPD can testify, the last thing my sagging cookbook shelves need is more weight, but I couldn’t resist. I’ve been interested in The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone since it came out in 2009. When I found a hardcover copy at Half-Price Books, I had to take it home. Believe it or not, this is my first vegan cookbook—I have plenty of vegetarian books but no vegan books until now. The Kind Diet is part cookbook, part lifestyle guide, and a lot of fun. You have to take it for what it is—a mix of opinion, personal experience, expert advice, and science, so of course I don’t buy everything this book tells me (because I am professionally obligated to be skeptical of all scientific claims. It’s in my contract.). But I’m enjoying it, and I can’t wait to try out some of the recipes: lentil soup, chocolate peanut butter cups(!), radicchio pizza (I’ll probably add some homemade cashew cheese to this one), raw balls [insert bad joke here]…in a word, yum.
I have to admit, I’m really impressed with The Kind Diet. Throughout the book, Alicia’s voice is friendly and compassionate, and you really feel the strength of her belief in veganism and green living. She writes to us like we’re all friends. Given the hard time that people seem to think vegans deserve, it’s a relief. I love that Alicia has used her star power for something so positive and so lovely. And the book is so much more than food: it’s taking care of yourself through exercise, meditation, journaling. I think many of us know that these things are essential for our well-being, but it’s good to be reminded.
The Kind Diet is a map, a blueprint for making Earth Day every day. We all have our own journeys to travel, but it’s so nice to find kindred spirits along the way.
{Thanks for indulging some sentimentality today. You guys are the best.}
5 comments:
Earth Day really sort of passed me by this year. I have been conserving my energy at least, but I feel a little bit guilty about not having done more (or perhaps used less) this weekend.
I've been interested in the Kind Diet for a while, and this post has motivated me to add it to my Amazon wish list. Glad you had a good Earth Day! I spent the weekend working on our bee boxes, so I guess that counts as Earth friendly. :)
Aw, Raquelita! I think you get a pass this year since you are recovering from surgery. No guilt! And you can always have your own little Earth Day, no matter what the calendar says.
Chrissy: Yes, your homesteading definitely counts as Earth-friendly! You and Nathan are doing such awesome things with your space. And I'm glad to provide a positive review of The Kind Diet. I haven't cooked anything from it yet, but it's a fun read and the photos are beautiful. (And the recipes certainly *sound* enticing!)
And Chrissy, your new photo is gorgeous! Look at you!
i've been meaning to give the book a read! i have a basil plant just like that that mom gave me over easter, just potted it last week :)
Hi, Shannon. Happy Friday to you, my dear.
Aw, how fun! Three cheers for basil plants!
If you do read The Kind Diet, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on it, perhaps in a blog post? :-)
Post a Comment