The Conscious Kitchen

February 12, 2010
The subtitle says it all: this book covers environmental and health aspects of grocery shopping, food preparation, kitchen cleanup, and waste disposal. Terminology (e.g., organic, biodynamic, sustainable) is explained, and in-depth chapters go beyond the usual produce and meat issues to look at the entire spectrum of food and beverages, including spices, coffee, wine, and packaged foods. Zissu (coauthor, The Complete Organic Pregnancy) discusses organic vs. local and trade-offs such as pesticides vs. a larger carbon footprint. Lists, sidebars, tips, and numerous endnotes highlight options in purchasing food products and provide sources for ingredients and even a few recipes. Infrequently considered topics such as the most energy efficient ways to prepare food and ways to lessen and recycle kitchen waste are also covered. Verdict Zissu's tone can be somewhat dogmatic at times, but overall this is a thoughtful and extremely informative book. Readers may start looking for a how-to after reading Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals or other recent discussions.-Susan Hurst, Miami Univ. of Ohio, Oxford

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.