Coop Scoop Blog

Honest Weight Read-Along: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Hardcover copy of the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver’s 2007 nonfiction book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, tracks her family’s year-long attempt to eat only local; food they grew themselves, food their neighbors grew, food from farmers’ markets, generally ”in genuine acquaintance with [their] food sources.”

The book was written primarily by Barbara Kingsolver, with fact-laden passages by her husband, Steven L. Hopp, a professor of environmental studies, and friendly kid-perspective accounts with seasonal recipes by their then-college-aged daughter, Camille Kingsolver.

While this experiment would be impossible for most (the very idea of giving up coffee is enough to stop many in their would-be locavore tracks), it does explore many aspects an issue that is on the minds of many a Co-op shopper:

How can we, as individuals and as a community, make responsible environmental and health choices, given the constraints we all face, whether in regards to lack of time, limited finances, or both?

Read along with us, join in discussions on our Instagram (@honestweightfoodcoop) and Facebook. We’ll post prompts, quotes, and thoughts on our social media pages to encourage discussion. Let’s enjoy community, thoughtful discussion, and see what we can learn, from the Kingsolver-Hopp family and from each other.

Look for posts on these Mondays:

Up to Chapter 5 discussion Monday, January 22nd

Up to Chapter 10 discussion Monday, January 29th

Up to Chapter 15 discussion Monday, February 5th

Last five chapters and whole book discussion Monday, February 12th

And, sticking with the theme, let’s keep it local!
Independent Bookstores in the Albany Area:

Dove & Hudson, 296 Hudson Ave, Albany

Market Block Books, 290 River St, Troy

Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave, Albany

I Love Books, 380 Delaware Ave # A, Delmar

Mary Jane Books, 522 Washington Ave, Albany

Capital Bookstore, 402 Broadway, Albany