A Good Read:
Eating Between the Lines
The Supermarket Shopper’s Guide to the Truth Behind Food Labels
by Kimberly Lord Stewart
I’m very fortunate to have met Kimberly Lord Stewart but I really wish I’d had access to her research when my children were first born. Thankfully I have it now. In her book, Eating Between the Lines, this award-winning food journalist takes us on a deciphering mission through the world of food labels and their accompanying politics.
Her no nonsense approach to the grocery store coupled with her elegant prose has produced a reference guide that you’ll want to have close by when creating weekly menus, routine grocery shopping lists or when you simply want to know more.
One of the best features of this book is Stewart’s organization around food topics. Hungry for fish? Read the chapter about the real differences between farm-raised and wild and what interest groups are involved on each side of the equation. Got milk? Follow Stewart through the Dairy Daze and learn how much of the organic milk debate is driven by water politics. And break up some preconceptions as I was surprised to find out that there are only four large-scale farms in the US organic dairy industry.
Other chapters in this book cover eggs, chicken labeling, grains, oils, coffee and tea and more. While I enjoyed the thorough research throughout, I believe the best way to tackle this book is in segments and according to shopping need. Further, the addendum provides a terrific section of shopping aides that can be cut out and used for easy recall as one meanders down the grocery aisle.
Want to hear more from this terrific food journalist? Check out her blog here.
Good Food Blogs:
Have carrots in your CSA this weekend? Hope on over to the see the recipes of the celebrated Pastry Chef Letty Flatt and try a new twist with Carrot Macaroons.
My grandmother called this evening and raved about the bumper crop of apples that was occurring in my native Colorado. Across the globe, Charlie Louie has a way of toffeeing them that will work particularly well for Halloween.
Should you have a few red peppers to use up, Melissa over at One Messy Kitchen has created a gorgeous pasta dish – now if only our desert temps would cool down to be able to enjoy it!
In Other Food News:
From NPR.org – Does Your Gas Tank Hold Enough Food to Feed 22 People? According to some researchers in New England, the number is actually 22.9 people but there are a few caveats. One, for example, is that if it didn’t go to energy, it would likely be found in a cow’s belly. Should as much food get burned as fuel? You decide.
Foodista has released the dates of the 2013 International Food Bloggers Conference in Seattle, WA.
Although U.S. meat consumption is down, a new report warns that unless a vegetarian diet becomes the norm, real food shortages are in store for much of our world.
Thanks for your support and sharing of fun and critical food information. If you find things that you’d like me to share, please let me know via my contact page.
Have a great weekend!
Agrigirl's Blog 
Melissa
/ October 5, 2012Sounds like a great book! Food labels confuse me, which is maybe what they are intended to do 🙂 I could use the help! Thanks so much for the link!
Tammy
/ October 5, 2012This book really takes all the confusion out but it is a lot of information. It is best read in chunks.
Tandy
/ October 5, 2012I shall look out for the book! Have a great weekend 🙂
Tammy
/ October 5, 2012You too Tandy!!
Paul Reynolds
/ October 6, 2012Darn.. reading list is sooooo long, but Im adding this one. Moved from Calorie world to HFLC and feel great but info and label advice is helpful. thanks.
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012You’d probably like this book Paul as it is really dense with research. Her view is balanced and just good quality journalism.
Heidi @ lightlycrunchy
/ October 6, 2012I’d like to find this and read it too – thanks for pointing it out.
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012It’s helpful Heidi. I learned a lot in going through it.
Sophie33
/ October 6, 2012That book sounds very interesting to read! 🙂 Have a great & fun weekend!
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012You too Sophie!
Tesney Ap
/ October 6, 2012Very healthy reading list 🙂 and the book looks very interesting, too 🙂
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012It would be very good for you as your baby is so young.
kateshrewsday
/ October 6, 2012This looks a book not to miss, Tammy. I had fish and chips at lunchtime from the shop. Not a green in sight. Erk. Still feeling remorseful.
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012Get over it quickly – it’s a journey Kate!
kateshrewsday
/ October 6, 2012😀 Feel better already. Off to feed the family a large pile of raw spinach.
Lisa H
/ October 6, 2012This book looks great, I will definitely add it to my reading list! It is so difficult deciphering food labels when it really shouldn’t be!
Carrot macaroons sound yummy–I’ll have to try them. I just had carrot soup with horseradish, a combination I would have never dreamed of using, but it worked! I thought of you immediately, thinking it would be a soup you would enjoy.
Tammy
/ October 6, 2012Sounds delicious. I’ll trade you the book for the recipe.
Lisa H
/ October 6, 2012Oh, I wish I had the recipe! It was made by a local coffee shop, White Sage, at 16th St, south of Thomas. They have fabulous coffee, too! Definitely stop by if you are ever in the area.
dayphoto
/ October 6, 2012I have to read food labels all the time since Terry has Celiac disease. It’s always a surprise what happens to our food. I must be very, very careful.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012I know how to read calories, fat, etc.. but this was particularly enlightening for me. And she’s a California girl!
Debbie
/ October 6, 2012Thank you for sharing the book with us and how best to use it. The cut out shopping aides sound so helpful! And I love how you shared the other blogs and food info too. You are a wonderful resource person for us!
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012I’m going to try to do a weekend reading post on the first Friday of the month. We’ll see if they are beneficial and if not, I’ll stop. That’s easy.
nrhatch
/ October 6, 2012Great name for a nutrition book! Thanks for the links to that delicious pasta dish. Boy does that look yummy!
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012It does, doesn’t it? One Messy Kitchen is a terrific new blog – you’d like it.
hotlyspiced
/ October 6, 2012I also wish I’d read a book like that before I had children. Thanks for mentioning my toffee apples. I had a lot of fun making them and they were a big success, mostly with my teenagers! xx
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012I wish that too although it’s been great dinner time discussion material. I really like to read it aloud to others and then discuss.
cindyricksgers
/ October 7, 2012Terrific recommendations once again! Thank you, Tammy!
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012You’re welcome Cindy.
crystal
/ October 8, 2012It’s ridiculous what happens to food before we get it so all the more important to let people know about it and make better choices
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012So true Crystal!
Sheree Martin (@RealSheree)
/ October 8, 2012Thanks for sharing the book info. I’m pretty good with labels, but not familiar with the book. It sounds like a great resource to share with others.
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012She’s incredibly knowledgable and even though I thought I was pretty good, I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed the parts on olive oil, fish and eggs.
tricesweet
/ October 8, 2012Food labels are the worst! I definitely want this book.
Tammy
/ October 8, 2012It’s a great resource manual.
Jack Christey
/ October 17, 2012The book is great, and if you’re interested in the politics of the food industry and their effect on you, you should have a look at Marion Nestle’s book called Food Politics – I found it is a great complement to the RBL book and is really good at opening your eyes to what happens behind the scenes with the people who make your food.
I’m currently trying to start a bit of a campaign to inform people of these issues at my blog, i’d love for you to have a look and maybe even do a post i you’re interested?
Tammy
/ October 24, 2012I will look for the book. Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t find a blog at the address that you listed so if you come back, leave me a new url.
isathreadsoflife
/ November 16, 2012Thanks for the information, Tammy. Decyphering labels is not always easy. This book is surely a great help. I looked at the pasta dish : well worth trying !
There is a lot of talk about palm oil over here at the moment. Any mention of it in the book you recommend ?