The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods: A Passionate A-to-Z Guide to the Earth's Healthy Offerings, with More than 140 Delicious, Nutritious Recipes

Embree De Persiis Vona (Author), (Author), Gianna de Persiis Vona (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods is a timely addition to the food reference shelf, one that’s desperately needed as mass-marketing of health food continues to grow. It provides practical guidance on how to make sense of the burgeoning selection of healthful foods, herbs and supplements, and provides a concise understanding of the sources, characteristics, benefits, and uses of health foods. It is also a pure joy to read and peruse, with its lovely line drawings and quirky, often playful, descriptions and turns of phrase. The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods is a personable, compulsively readable guide that includes historical information and fascinating anecdotes about the many foods it describes, plus an array of delicious recipes that feature them, such as Adzuki Rice, Almond Crescents, Pumpernickel Bread, Spinach with Pignoli and Raisins, and Homemade Yogurt. This is the perfect shopping companion or armchair read; sure to delight information seekers and food writing enthusiasts alike.

About the Author

Anstice Carroll traces her interest in health foods to her parent's natural cooking. She lives in New York City, where she has owned and run the Anstice Carroll Catering company for 25 years, and where she was food director at the Grace Church School in Greenwich Village for 27 years.

Embree De Persiis Vona, a graduate of McGill University, is a professional potter who lives in Big Sur, California. She developed her enthusiasm for health food in the mid '60s, "in other words, when [she] started feeding [herself]."

Gianna De Persiis Vona became obsessed with health food after the birth of her two sons, when it became simply unacceptable to feed them the pesticide-ridden fare she had previously justified feeding to herself. Besides being knowledgeable in the realm of health food and natural healing, Gianna is a cook and a writer. She has a Masters Degree in creative writing and leads inspirational writing workshops in her home town of Sebastopol, California. Her advice column, "Ask Sydney," appears weekly in The North Bay Bohemian, and on-line at www.asksydney.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (February 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569243956
• ISBN-13: 978-1569243954
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,704 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mini-Encyclopedia of Information!, August 23, 2008

By	cultured cook (Detroit) - See all my reviews

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From acerola cherries to za'atar, this book is a treasure trove of information. It was originally published in 1973 and then was updated in 2006 when the daughter of one of the authors realized that there was an even greater need for commonsense information about the foods we eat. Ever wondered how to make your own butter? Yogurt? Rice milk? Those are just a few of the 140 recipes that are presented alongside their main ingredients. There are also plenty of main-dish recipes: apple-marinated salmon, mustard-curry chicken, and lentil "meatloaf," just to name a few.
If you're curious about what exactly the difference is between brown sugar and turbinado sugar, or which grains contain higher amounts of various vitamins and minerals, you'll love this book. If you're looking for information on supplements and home remedies, it's indispensable. The index in the front makes it very easy to look up ingredients/foods for those who want specific information in a hurry. And despite its rather academic-sounding title, its engaging tone makes The Dictionary of Wholesome Foods a pleasure to read from cover to cover. You'll be a much more knowledgeable nibbler after having read this book!
You can find my other cookbook reviews at www.theculturedcook.com.