Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

This blog post is titled after one of my favorite books written by one of my favorite authors, Barbara Kingsolver. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle recounts a year spent eating only home-grown or local food. Kingsolver and her family immersed themselves in this task by replanting themselves from Tucson, AZ to a family farm in southern Appalachia, VA. The book follows the family as they fix up the farmstead for their year-long experiment and learn from trial and error how to negotiate all the nuances of the southern Virginia growing season.

This book was not only entertaining but also educational. From learning about the health benefits of growing your own food to exploring Kingsolver's Vegetannual and the many delicious recipes offered throughout, the book offered so much insight into a simple truth: you are what you eat. As James and I prepare our own humble backyard garden for a new season, I have a feeling Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle will continue be a mainstay on my nightstand until well into next fall.

Sauteed Garlic Asparagus

Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
1 bunch fresh asparagus
3 cloves of garlic, chopped

Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender.