Lesser Beasts: A Snout-to-Tail History of the Humble Pig


Mark Essig - 2015
    Incredibly efficient at converting almost any organic matter into nourishing, delectable protein, swine are nothing short of a gastronomic godsend—yet their flesh is banned in many cultures, and the animals themselves are maligned as filthy, lazy brutes.As historian Mark Essig reveals in Lesser Beasts, swine have such a bad reputation for precisely the same reasons they are so valuable as a source of food: they are intelligent, self-sufficient, and omnivorous. What’s more, he argues, we ignore our historic partnership with these astonishing animals at our peril. Tracing the interplay of pig biology and human culture from Neolithic villages 10,000 years ago to modern industrial farms, Essig blends culinary and natural history to demonstrate the vast importance of the pig and the tragedy of its modern treatment at the hands of humans. Pork, Essig explains, has long been a staple of the human diet, prized in societies from Ancient Rome to dynastic China to the contemporary American South. Yet pigs’ ability to track down and eat a wide range of substances (some of them distinctly unpalatable to humans) and convert them into edible meat has also led people throughout history to demonize the entire species as craven and unclean. Today’s unconscionable system of factory farming, Essig explains, is only the latest instance of humans taking pigs for granted, and the most recent evidence of how both pigs and people suffer when our symbiotic relationship falls out of balance.An expansive, illuminating history of one of our most vital yet unsung food animals, Lesser Beasts turns a spotlight on the humble creature that, perhaps more than any other, has been a mainstay of civilization since its very beginnings—whether we like it or not.

John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life


Kenneth Womack - 2020
    Lennon's final pivotal year would climax in several moments of creative triumph as he rediscovered his artistic self in dramatic fashion. With the bravura release of the Double Fantasy album with wife Yoko Ono, he was poised and ready for an even brighter future only to be wrenched from the world by an assassin's bullets. John Lennon, 1980 isn't about how the gifted songwriter died; but rather, about how he lived.

A Lighter Way to Bake


Lorraine Pascale - 2013
    Lorraine reinvents traditional favourites (her amazing brownies) but shows us neat shortcuts to cut the fat or the sugar-without losing any of the flavour. They are goodies with goodness. Each recipe has a comparison with a standard version so you can see just how much better for you Lorraine's way is. A perfect Christmas gift for every baker in your life - or buy it for yourself to have an indulgent but healthy Christmas.

Paleo Takeout: Restaurant Favorites Without the Junk


Russ Crandall - 2015
    Not to mention that nothing is easier than picking up takeout, hitting the drive-thru, or ordering delivery, but at what cost? Paleo Takeout: Restaurant Favorites without the Guilt delivers much healthier but equally satisfying alternatives, offering delectable recipes that mimic the flavors of our drive-thru and delivery favorites--Paleo style! Russ Crandall teaches you step-by-step how to prepare each meal in under an hour--leaving no sacrifice of taste or time.In Paleo Takeout, Crandall re-creates everyone's favorite takeout meals using wholesome ingredients and some seriously inventive techniques giving you the opportunity to revisit your favorite restaurant classics, with all of the gratification and none of the regret! Inside Paleo Takeout, you'll find over 150 recipes inspired by beloved restaurant experiences: Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Greek, and American cuisines are all represented. Looking to re-create your local Chinese joint's best dishes? Choose from over 25 takeout favorites, like Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, Egg Foo Young, Char Siu, Chow Mein, and Spring Rolls. In the mood for curry tonight? Take your pick among your favorite Thai, Indian, and Japanese curry dishes. How about game-day wings made in 20 different ways, pizza that's better than delivery, or quick and easy burrito bowls? We've got you covered and then some.Using the same simple techniques that he learned while working in the restaurant industry, Crandall teaches you how to build a full-course meal in less than an hour. Simply put, Paleo Takeout: Restaurant Favorites without the Guilt proves that eating right in a way that satisfies even the choosiest of healthy eaters is not only possible, but also a lot of fun!

One Dish at a Time: Delicious Recipes and Stories from My Italian-American Childhood and Beyond


Valerie Bertinelli - 2012
    But at one point her love of food threatened not only her health, but her livelihood as an actress, when personal demons drove her to overeat and make poor food choices that caused her weight to balloon by 50 pounds. Now happily svelte, remarried, and riding a new career high, Valerie has made peace with food, giving it a central—yet considered—place in her home and family celebrations.One Dish at a Time offers an intimate look into the beloved actress's kitchen, where she prepares a collection of treasured recipes from her Italian heritage. Along the way, she shares her insights into the portion control and mindful indulgence she has come to practice on her journey to enjoying the pleasures of the table again.Filled with gorgeous photos including the actress in her kitchen, nutrition information accompanying each recipe, and Valerie's tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, One Dish at a Time is designed to please baby boomer fans and home cooks alike.