A Book Review

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family

Written By: Steve & Annette Economides

I saw this book at my local library a couple of weeks ago and I snatched it up knowing that it would fit perfectly with the theme of You Can Make That! and with my New Year's Frugal Kitchen Goal to reduce costs in my kitchen. Steve and Annette Economides are known to be America's Cheapest Family. They have written three books together and all three address financial issues. They have a true financial success story this is completely inspiring.

Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half includes information on couponing, stocking up, once a month cooking, eating out, gardening, and maintaining a family dinner time. Even the most frugal shopper will find tips and hints that will save money in the kitchen. Steve and Annette have a writing style that is both inspirational and encouraging and the book makes you feel as if you are learning from old friends.

This is the perfect book for anyone trying to cut down on monthly grocery expenses. It can be read in its entirety or by picking and choosing the chapters that are most important to you. And, although Steve and Annette have a large family, they also incorporate things that would be helpful to singles and empty nesters too.

 

What have you been reading lately?

How To Sew a Button - A Book Review

It seems like a lot of the conventional wisdom that our grandmothers shared has been lost over recent years. And, knowing how to do basic household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing is not as common as it once was. But, these old fashioned skills can be simple and fun to learn.

How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew Written by: Erin Bried

Do you know how to roast a whole chicken? Make bread? Do you know how to grow a garden? Or, can fruits and vegetables? Do you know how to shine shoes? Hem pants? Knit a scarf? These are some of the questions that Erin Bried addresses in How to Sew a Button. She gathered together ten grandmothers who had lived through the Depression, and asked them to share their wisdom. The result is a practical and lighthearted look at simple tasks that once were tackled on a daily basis; tasks that save money and conserve resources. And, the result that is resoundingly apparent from these grandmothers is the satisfaction that comes from a job well done.

This book makes you feel as if you are sitting beside a little old lady, soaking in her wisdom. It was fun to read and had lots of great tips and hints that are simple and, many times, free! If you are new to thrifty living, or are making an effort to simplify your life, this would be a great read for you.

The Skinny - A Book Review

For some reason, I really enjoy self-help books of all kinds. I love the idea that small changes can offer dramatic results. So, it comes as no surprise that I was attracted to The Skinny when I saw it on the shelf at the library.

The Skinny: How to Fit into Your Little Black Dress Forever
Written by Melissa Clark and Robin Aronson

The premise of The Skinny is that with some simple hints and tips a girl has the power to maintain her weight, thus allowing her to permanently fit into her little black dress. The authors have been living The Skinny lifestyle for many years and have proven that you can eat what you love and still maintain your weight. No need for counting calories or avoiding entire groups of foods is necessary; just wise choices, moderation, and lots of fruits and veggies.

This book reminded me of the principles found in the book French Women Don't Get Fat, which I reviewed for you about a year ago. And, the light hearted writing is enjoyable and often humorous. Plus, the second half of the book is all recipes, which makes this book even more helpful. So, if you are interested in a little assistance in shedding some pounds without all of the hype and drastic measures that fad diets offer, this is the book for you.

A Book Review

Make the Bread, Buy the Butter Written by Jennifer Reese

Which foods are better made at home? Is it cheaper to make everything from scratch? And what about raising/growing your own food? These are some of the questions that Jennifer Reese tackles in Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. 

From raising goats to making pickles, Jennifer evaluates some of her family's best loved foods. And what she discovers is sometimes surprising. Chicken and Rice Soup is worth the effort to Jennifer; however, she found that she preferred canned pumpkin over cooking fresh pumpkin for pies. And, along with her findings, Jennifer shares the stories behind all of her food adventures in a humorous and enjoyable manner. 

This is a fun book with lots of personal anecdotes. The cost comparisons make the advice practical, but Jennifer's Make It versus Buy It opinions are a matter of personal preference. However, there are dozens of tasty looking recipes and the writing style is witty and fun. A worthy book to read if you enjoy food writing.

A Book Review

The Dinner Diaries written by Betsy Block
 

Anyone with kids knows that it is an uphill battle to find a balance between the food kids love and the food parents know to be good for the body. Betsy Block, author of The Dinner Diaries, writes about this struggle with her own kids and how she attempted change within her family one bite at a time. She honestly recounts good and bad attitudes and recipe successes and failures.

 

Betsy dives into her research on good food choices by working with nutritionists, reading food authors such as Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver, and visiting local farms. She discovered that the questions surrounding food choices are difficult to negotiate. What is most important? Organic or local produce? Is fish healthy or unsafe? How much meat to we really need? Should milk be guzzled by the gallon or drunk sparingly? And although what she finds is at times conflicting, Betsy is able to make enough sense of it all to begin to make wise choices for her family.
 

This is a great food book for those that feel daunted by the task of making change. And, Betsy writes in an encouraging and light hearted manner that is helpful without being too rigid. I would recommend this book especially to moms who need a realistic approach to feeding a family healthy yet delicious foods.

Apron Anxiety

Last week while perusing the New Release shelf at the library, I saw this book Apron Anxiety and picked it up thinking that it had been a while since I had written a book review here at You Can Make That! When I got home, I immediately sat down on my couch and started reading. I couldn't put it down. I read half the book without moving an inch. I completed it in two sittings and within a couple of days I had already tried three of the recipes!  

Apron Anxiety written by Alyssa Shelasky

Alyssa is a journalist living in New York and has an exciting life meeting celebrities and dining at upscale restaurants. But, when she falls in love with an up and coming chef, she packs up her life and moves to Washington DC. However, when she finds her beloved chef to be overworked and rarely available to her, Alyssa begins to learn to cook and bake in order to fill her time.

Eventually this budding passion becomes a new way of life as she learns to feed her family and friends. When the relationship with her chef begins to crumble, Alyssa blends her love for the kitchen with her journalistic talents and moves to new territory writing about food, both in her own blog and for Grub Street at New York Magazine.
 

I certainly enjoyed this book. It is part memoir, part romance, part cookbook and each part is equally as good as the others. This is obviously the perfect read for home cooks, but it is also great for the romantic as well.

The Summer Kitchen

I read this book the week before we moved. It was a good, light read that was perfect for taking my mind off of the move before I went to sleep at night. I did not realize, until I sat down to write this review, that the author is from the Texas Hill Country not far from where we lived. Lisa Wingate has written many other books and I will probably check them out more thoroughly once we have settled into our new house.

The Summer Kitchen  written by Lisa Wingate

Sandra’s world is crashing down all around her. She is lonely and confused. So, she begins spending her days at her Uncle Poppy’s house. Although she begins by doing some cleaning and painting to prepare to sell the house, she finds herself with a secret mission to care for those in need.

This is a story about love and hurt, restoration and new beginnings. It addresses family issues such as adoption, marriage struggles, death, hunger, and poverty. But most importantly, it illustrates that even a few humble peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can made a big difference in the lives of those in need. I would recommend this book to someone that enjoys a quick read with a strong moral emphasis. And, it is obvious from the title that is an appropriate read for the summer.

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School

I purchased this book after reading a review from another blogger; and, it was well worth the investment!

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School written by Kathleen Flinn

After finishing her culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Kathleen found herself wondering what to do next.  However, after a chance encounter at the local grocery store where she helped a mom figure out how to replace her pre-packaged grocery supplies with fresh ingredients, she embarked on a project that would bring confidence to nine hesitant home cooks. Kathleen began by putting together a group of volunteers that would allow her to come into their homes to investigate how they cook, and then teach them how to be proficient in the kitchen. She taught these women, from diverse economic backgrounds, how to perform elemental tasks such as chopping vegetables, roasting chicken, making stock, and creating soups. The results for each volunteer were different, but they all gained confidence and know how that changed the way they ate.

As someone who teaches simple cooking classes on a regular basis, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have seen the same sense of accomplishment on the faces of women that Kathleen describes in her book. The overall feeling of community that takes place in the kitchen is something that is essential to the health of our bodies and our families; and, this book definitely portrays that feeling. I would recommend this book to both seasoned home cooks and new cooks alike. It offers a wide range of hints and tips along with some tasty looking recipes. A great read for anyone who needs inspiration in the kitchen!

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Food Rules

Do you find food complicated? Do you walk the aisles of the grocery store reading labels and shaking your head? Do you wish that you knew what to do with all of that great looking produce at the farmer’s market? Well, you are not alone. And, Michael Pollan, has written a short and sweet book on how to figure all of this out.

Food Rules: An Eater's Manual written by Michael Pollan

This is a book of food wisdom complied to help people navigate the grocery store and eat better. The rules are simple and straight forward. And, you do not have to have a degree to understand them. For example:

Rule #2 Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food

Rule #45 The whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead

Rule #74 Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does

If you need a quick jump start to eating more responsibly, this would be a great place to begin. Eating real food is intimidating, but this book takes out some of the guess work and offers some fun advice to get you on track. And, now that summer is here, and farmer’s markets are opening again, it is a great time to make a commitment to healthy eating.

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French Women Don't Get Fat

I just happened to see this at the library a couple of weeks ago while wandering the shelves. Knowing that it had received a lot of press when it came out because of the title, I picked it up. While living in Europe we couldn’t help but notice how much thinner people were there, so I thought this book might give me some insight into why that might be so.

French Women Don't Get Fat written by Mireille Guiliano

Mireille, as a young woman, spent a year studying in America. When she returned home to France, over weight and embarrassed, she sought out the means to reverse this unpleasant side effect of traveling abroad. What she learned from Dr. Miracle (an affectionate term for the doctor who discreetly helped her get back on track) was simple and effective.  And, it permanently changed her life.

This is more of a life story than it is a diet book. Mireille’s writing style is witty and encouraging. And, although you will find many tips that will help you keep your weight under control, much of what is found in French Women Don’t Get Fat is an attitude that is almost exactly opposite of the American way of thinking about diet. So, if you are interested in a life style change, and some encouragement to be healthier, this would be a good read for you.

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Friendship Bread

I have to say that I devoured this book! This novel revolves around a friendship bread starter that took over a little town and brought hope and healing with it. Friendship bread is made from a sour dough starter that multiplies, meaning that you have to regularly find friends to share your starter with. For many years, I kept a starter myself, but grew tired of it and decided not to maintain a starter once I moved to Texas. After reading this book, I will definitely be creating a new starter as soon as I get settled after our move! And, contrary to what this novel states, the starter does NOT have to be multiplied. Maybe sometime next month I will share my version of friendship bread with you.

Friendship Bread written by Darien Gee

When Julia receives a plate of friendship bread along with a starter, she is not so sure that she is interested in doing any baking. But, her daughter convinces her otherwise. And, this one starter begins the healing process for Julia who had tragically lost her son. Eventually, Julia builds two unlikely friendships with Hannah and Madeline who are both dealing with their own hurts and new beginnings. And, as the starter spreads through their small town, it brings about friendships, restoration, and new opportunities. Finally, Julia rallies the townspeople to bake friendship bread as a way to bring encouragement to local flood victims.

This book really exemplifies the importance of community and the role it plays in our lives. The small town attitude to care for and support one another is something that we all value. This book made me want to get into my kitchen to create a starter immediately to share with my friends and neighbors. The recipes included were some that I had not tried in all of my years of friendship bread baking, and I am looking forward to testing them out after our move. This book was a quick read and would be perfect to take to the beach. And, if you need a bit of inspiration in the kitchen, this book will give it to you. Plus, you just might decide that friendship bread is a great way to get involved in your community!

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Real Food

I read this book a couple of years ago. However, recently I have both given a copy as a gift and loaned out my own copy. When I received my copy back the other day, I thought it might be a good choice for a  book review.  

Real Food: What to Eat and Why Written by Nina Planck

Nina Planck grew up eating traditional foods. Raw milk, free range eggs, fresh butter, in-season fruits and vegetables, and local honey.  As she got older though, she strayed from this way of eating and found herself becoming a vegetarian. But, Nina became dissatisfied with this way of life and found herself to be “plump and grumpy.” And, thus she turned back to traditional foods, by way of the farmer’s market.

Nina has become the trendsetter for the return of the farmer’s market; and, her nutritional advice is sound. She includes information on produce, dairy, meat, fish, chocolate, and many other real foods. And, Nina Planck is in good company with other food writers such as Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin, and Marion Nestle. So, if you are making an effort to walk away from industrial foods and embrace ancient traditional food wisdom, this would be a good read for you. Nina’s writing style is personable and easily applicable making  Real Food more like a life story than a book on nutrition.

Reading Report

Last week at the library, I picked up a book that I had as a child. I remember reading it over and over again, so I thought that my kids might like it too. All three of my kids enjoyed reading it. And, all three of them read it multiple times. But, best of all, it created a desire for them to pop popcorn together and eat it as a family. Quality time together indeed!

The Popcorn Book written by Tomie de Paola

This is a fun book that teaches kids about the history of popcorn while incorporating the fun of how to pop it at home on top of the stove. The facts are understandable for pre-school children and yet interesting enough to hold the attention of upper elementary school kids. And, the foible that the kids find themselves in the end makes this book both educational and entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to draw their kids into the kitchen for some fun family time; or, to anyone that would like to integrate educational value into story time.

The second book that I would like to tell you about is one that I received for free as a review copy from Bethany House. Please know that I have not been compensated by this company to write this review; and, all opinions expressed here are my own.

The Messenger written by Siri Mitchell

This book is a work of historical fiction that takes place during the Revolutionary War. The main character, Hannah, is a Colonial spy. Along with her partner, Jeremiah, they diligently work together to free a group of prisoners. Among these prisoners is Hannah’s brother. However, Hannah’s Quaker faith creates a moral dilemma within her soul that causes her to battle fiercely with her understanding of right and wrong.

Although I enjoyed this book, I found it difficult to dig into at first. It was a quick read and the story was compelling; but, I probably would not have picked this book up had I not been offered a review copy. However, I would certainly say that Siri Mitchell is an excellent writer and that if you are looking for a quick read, with entertainment value, this would be a good choice for you.

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Play With Your Food

This week I got something a little different from the library.  A book filled with pictures of food that look like animals. Surprisingly it was located in the cookbook section and I have to say, I am glad that I found it!

Play With Your Food written by Joost Elffers

This is a picture book highlighting fruits and vegetables that look like animals. The author/artist has scoured farmer’s markets and road side stands to find unique looking produce that has animal like characteristics. He searches specifically for pieces that only need minimal alterations in order to appear life like. He then adds eyes, or ears, or legs to enhance the look. The author uses vegetables like peppers, sweet potatoes, and squash. And, he uses fruits like pineapple, cherries, and pears. These he turns into mice, elephants, insects, and birds.  And, after having fun with the food, he eats it!

This book was enjoyable to look at. My kids have poured over it many times in the last couple of weeks. And, I think that it would be a great idea to take my kids to the farmer’s market to allow them to choose a piece of fruit or a vegetable to turn into their own animal creation. Finicky palates just might be more willing to try something new if it looked like a turtle or a teddy bear. So, if you have young children or picky eaters, you would enjoy this book. And, what a helpful tool to get your kids to eat their veggies!

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365 Ways to Live Cheap

My kids have been on a Boxcar Children kick lately. I read the first book to them a couple of months ago and they are now fascinated with these creative and resourceful kids. This week we listened to The Yellow House Mystery (Book 3). And, of course, they loved it. My son is also reading Blue Bay Mystery (Book 6) for his homework every day. And, I read a frugal living book this week that a friend loaned to me and learned some great tips for saving money.

365 Ways to Live Cheap: Your Everyday Guide to Saving Money written by Trent Hamm

This little book of frugal tips and tricks is filled with money saving strategies and techniques that can save both money and time. It is a comprehensive book that includes advice on areas such as cars, clutter, health, and groceries. And, the topics are organized in a logical manner allowing the reader to skip around the book to find what is most beneficial, when needed.

Trent Hamm is also the author of The Simple Dollar, a financial blog offering practical advice for average people. If you are a long time reader of Trent’s blog, you may find that many of these tips can be found there. However, it is nice to have it all in one place as a reference that is categorized for easy use.

This book is perfect for those just starting out in frugal living. The tips are practical and reasonable. And, even a seasoned frugal girl like myself, learned some new tips. I would recommend this book particularly to someone that needs to cut expenses quickly or to someone who is transitioning from a two income family to a one income family. A great resource for pinching pennies without sacrificing quality of life!

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Folks, This Ain't Normal

Over the last several years, I have learned a lot about food and how it is farmed/raised and processed in our country.  As a result, our family has slowly made the move toward real food. It is an on-going effort that has benefited our family in many ways.  If you have read The Omnivore's Dilemma written by Michael Pollan, you will recognize this week’s author as the owner of Polyface Farm.

Folks, This Ain't Normal written by Joel Salatin

The Polyface Farm is family owned and operated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It flourishes under the care of Joel Salatin, who is a man with a vision: a vision for responsible living and the belief that everyone can make a difference.  With big business having taken over our food production and the government with its hand tightly clenching the system, Joel is offering an alternative that is more environmentally friendly and healthier for people and animals alike. His approach to farming and to life may seem a bit outdated, but it is a system that works: a system that replenishes the land and nourishes bodies in a far superior way to that of current methodology.  Joel Salatin is a visionary for self sustainable farming and responsible living.

I enjoyed reading about Polyface Farm in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, so I was glad to see this book on the NEW shelf at my library. His writing is entertaining and a bit gruff making for an enjoyable read. Although a bit technical, it was worth the effort to push through it. The most beneficial part of the book is the list of ways to make a difference at the end of each chapter. The inclusion of these tips makes the book both practical and applicable. I would certainly recommend this to anyone concerned with the way food is farmed or raised; or, to anyone convicted enough to make a change for responsible living.

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My Life In France

Well, my local library provided me with another stellar book this week. Over the last six months, I have read a number of books about France, both fiction and non-fiction. And, I am fascinated by its romantic image, artistic fame, and food culture. This book certainly did not disappoint!

My Life in France written by Julia Child

Julia Child moved to France, as a new bride, in the late 1940’s. There, she fell in love with the food at the first meal she ate on French soil, and all other meals were forever measured by those first few bites. As she learned the language and how to negotiate the outdoor food markets, she became determined to learn how to create delicious French food in her own home. Eventually, Julia enrolled at the Cordon Bleu where she learned the techniques necessary to write Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Julia spent years testing and writing recipes that were easy to follow for the American home cook. This was a daunting task that she tackled with numerous obstacles. The tools needed to be easy for Americans to obtain. The food needed to be readily available and must be found for a reasonable price. And, finally the recipes needed to be written in a way that Americans could duplicate flawlessly.

Julia’s success led her to write multiple books and cookbooks and star in cooking shows. She found her passion in France and shared it with the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one of the best books that I have read this year. Julia Child is an inspiration to home cooks like me. She was an average home cook who followed her passion and found tremendous success. The book was well written and exciting and fun to read. I would recommend it to anyone with a zeal for cooking, or to those who are enamored by all things French.

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