One Gun Ranch, Malibu

February 13, 2017
Nestled in the scenic hills of Malibu, Calif., One Gun Ranch is a biodynamic, sustainable farm that takes a holistic approach to health and wellness. Authors and owners Bamford and Eysenring walk readers through their compound, expounding and expanding on topics such as biodynamics and yoga, taking time to profile various practitioners along the way. Readers interested in the biodynamic way of life will get the most out of the book, as the authors spend plenty of time explaining the importance of soil, a crucial component, as well as tips on using the moon to manage crops, best practices for planting, and getting the best bounty from the local farmer’s market. The recipes are tilted heavily toward standards such as oat pancakes, roasted butternut squash and ginger soup, collard wraps, and blackened fish. There are flashes of inspiration such as poppy seed corn bread and sesame-cilantro prawns. The recipes are sufficiently approachable and easily sourced for even the most novice cooks, and the book’s artful layout and gorgeous images of nearly every dish are sure to get mouths watering. Veterans of gluten-free and vegan diets will likely find the book to be a little basic, but new initiates interested in a healthier lifestyle in general and biodynamic farming in particular will find it helpful and informative.