Honest Books

Since I am hoping to someday *partially* support my family via this blog, I have a small number of ways to make money off this site.  The funnest way, in my opinion, is by buying books.  I have partnered with my favorite independent book store, Powell's Books from Portland, Oregon, to offer you not only a search engine to whatever title you are looking for, but also a list of Honest books that I have already read or hope to read someday (well, someday when my three year old stops jumping on my bed in the evening when I try to settle down for a good read).

Currently I am reading Organic, Inc. by Samual Fromartz.  What a page turner!  I love learning the behind-the-scenes details about the expansion of organics from a back-to-the woods movement to a full-fledged industry.  So much of it revolves around my geographic region, the Central Coast of California, where companies like EarthBound Farm, Odwalla, Jacob's Farm, and other biggies got their start. 

I have Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism by Marion Nestle sitting on my bookshelf, calling my name.  I am currently doing research on E.coli and other pathogens in our meat supply for a future series, so I really should dig into this book.

For practical, livestock production know-how, we own a tattered copy of Grass-Fed Cattle: How to Produce and Market Natural Beef by Julius Ruechel sitting on our coffee table.  Yes, our coffee table books are all about livestock and agriculture, not home decorating or fashion design like many a home.  This book is excellent if you are thinking about raising and marketing your own beef cattle.

For tasty home-cooking of animal flesh, I would suggest perusing one of the cookbooks I list, such as Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman & Brian Polcyn, River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, or Pork & Sons by Stephane Reynaud.

There are several other interesting reads in my Honest Books list.  Take a peak and stock up on good things to read for the wintertime (OK- a long ways off, but perhaps you live in the Southern Hemisphere, or perhaps you don't have little kids jumping on you when you want to settle in with a good book!)

Comments

[Buffalo Brian]

Love your posts. I wish we could get more people to support the local farmers rather than the commercially raised animals. They would find that the meat is fresher, better tasting and is actually better for their health. Keep up the great work.

[YayaOrchid]

Thank you for sharing such a nice list of books. All the titles seem interesting and like they would make a good read.