Tips for a More Sustainable Life
When thinking about all there is to do and learn about living sustainably, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, and even easier to just not try at all. Try to pick small changes to start, and once those changes and new systems are integrated pick a new task. Soon enough you'll find that you're well on your way to a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable life!
- Minimize waste (bring your own bags, food containers, utensils, straws, water bottles, mugs, and dine in!)
- Drive less (try to ride a bike, or take public transportation whenever possible)
- Eat plant-based food (see box below this: "Books to Help Guide Green Eating")
- Unplug your appliances and turn off lights when they're not in use
- Reduce water consumption (try to take shorter showers, or use a rain barrel to collect and use storm water to water your garden)
Sustainable Eating
One of the easiest ways to have an impact on the planet is to eat less animal products, and more plant-based food. Not only does a plant-based diet have a massive impact on the health of our planet, but it also benefits our health as well (Springmann et al. 2016). Switching to plant-based food doesn't have to be hard, and doesn't have to happen all at once. Even gradully decreasing the amount of meat you consume in a day or week has a big impact on your carbon footprint. Here are some books and cookbooks that can help you on your way to understanding the implications of eating animals and the importance of eating plant-based, as well as some easy recipes to show you how delicious plant-based food can be!
Eating Animals by
Part memoir and part investigative report, Eating Animals is the groundbreaking moral examination of vegetarianism, farming, and the food we eat every day that inspired the documentary of the same name. Bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer spent much of his life oscillating between enthusiastic carnivore and occasional vegetarian. For years he was content to live with uncertainty about his own dietary choices but once he started a family, the moral dimensions of food became increasingly important. Faced with the prospect of being unable to explain why we eat some animals and not others, Foer set out to explore the origins of many eating traditions and the fictions involved with creating them. Traveling to the darkest corners of our dining habits, Foer raises the unspoken question behind every fish we eat, every chicken we fry, and every burger we grill. Part memoir and part investigative report, Eating Animals is a book that, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, places Jonathan Safran Foer "at the table with our greatest philosophers" -and a must-read for anyone who cares about building a more humane and healthy world.
In Defense of Food by
#1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of How to Change Your Mind, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Food Rules Food. There's plenty of it around, and we all love to eat it. So why should anyone need to defend it? Because in the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion--most of what we're consuming today is longer the product of nature but of food science. The result is what Michael Pollan calls the American Paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we see to become. With In Defense of Food, Pollan proposes a new (and very old) answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we can start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives, enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy, and bring pleasure back to eating. "Michael Pollan [is the] designated repository for the nation's food conscience."--Frank Bruni, The New York Times " A remarkable volume . . . engrossing . . . [Pollan] offers those prescriptions Americans so desperately crave."--The Washington Post "A tough, witty, cogent rebuttal to the proposition that food can be redced to its nutritional components without the loss of something essential... [a] lively, invaluable book."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times "In Defense of Food is written with Pollan's customary bite, ringing clarity and brilliance at connecting the dots."--The Seattle Times Michael Pollan's most recent food book Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation--the story of our most trusted food expert's culinary education--was published by Penguin Press in April 2013, and in 2016 it served as the inspiration for a four-part docuseries on Netflix by the same name. Pollan is also the author of How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
We Are the Weather by
Some people reject the fact, overwhelmingly supported by scientists, that our planet is warming due to human activities. But do those of us who accept the reality of human-caused climate change truly believe in it? If we did, surely we would be roused to act, to make sacrifices now to prevent calamity in the future. How are we, ordinary civilians, supposed to do anything about a crisis for which we can barely sustain concern, of which our understanding is so incomplete, and from which we cannot imagine an escape? Will future generations distinguish between those who didn't believe in the science of climate change and those who said they accepted the science but didn't act? In We Are the Weather, Jonathan Safran Foer explores the central dilemma of our time in a surprising, creative, and urgent new way. We have, he reveals, turned our planet into a farm for growing meat, and the consequences are catastrophic. With the future of our home at stake, the time has come to consider how our descendants will judge our actions at this crucial moment. Collective action is needed. We might be able to pull it off--and it all starts with what we eat, and don't eat, for breakfast and lunch.
Oh She Glows Every Day by
An instant New York Times bestseller! Angela Liddon's eagerly awaited follow-up to the New York Times bestseller The Oh She Glows Cookbook, featuring more than one hundred quick-and-easy whole-foods, plant-based recipes to keep you glowing every day of the year. Angela Liddon's irresistible and foolproof recipes have become the gold standard for plant-based cooking. Her phenomenally popular blog and New York Times-bestselling debut, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, have amassed millions of fans eager for her latest collection of creative and accessible recipes. Now, in this highly anticipated follow-up cookbook, Liddon shares wildly delicious recipes that are perfect for busy lifestyles, promising to make plant-based eating convenient every day of the week--including holidays and special occasions! Filled with more than one hundred family-friendly recipes everyone will love, like Oh Em Gee Veggie Burgers, Fusilli Lentil-Mushroom Bolognese, and Ultimate Flourless Brownies, Oh She Glows Every Day also includes useful information on essential pantry ingredients and tips on making recipes kid-, allergy-, and freezer-friendly. A beautiful go-to cookbook from one of the Internet's most beloved cooking stars, Oh She Glows Every Day proves that it's possible to cook simple, nourishing, and tasty meals--even on a busy schedule.
The Art of Cooking by
Maestro Martino of Como has been called the first celebrity chef, and his extraordinary treatise on Renaissance cookery, The Art of Cooking, is the first known culinary guide to specify ingredients, cooking times and techniques, utensils, and amounts. This vibrant document is also essential to understanding the forms of conviviality developed in Central Italy during the Renaissance, as well as their sociopolitical implications. In addition to the original text, this first complete English translation of the work includes a historical essay by Luigi Ballerini and fifty modernized recipes by acclaimed Italian chef Stefania Barzini. The Art of Cooking, unlike the culinary manuals of the time, is a true gastronomic lexicon, surprisingly like a modern cookbook in identifying the quantity and kinds of ingredients in each dish, the proper procedure for cooking them, and the time required, as well as including many of the secrets of a culinary expert. In his lively introduction, Luigi Ballerini places Maestro Martino in the complicated context of his time and place and guides the reader through the complexities of Italian and papal politics. Stefania Barzini's modernized recipes that follow the text bring the tastes of the original dishes into line with modern tastes. Her knowledgeable explanations of how she has adapted the recipes to the contemporary palate are models of their kind and will inspire readers to recreate these classic dishes in their own kitchens. Jeremy Parzen's translation is the first to gather the entire corpus of Martino's legacy.
Publication Date: 2005
Kitchen Mysteries by
"This's molecular gastronomy is garnished with [his] own rich philosophy of food and flavor" in a book that reveals the science behind everyday cooking (Nature). In Kitchen Mysteries, Hervé This--international celebrity and founder of molecular gastronomy--offers a second helping of his world-renowned insight into the science of cooking, answering such fundamental questions as what causes vegetables to change color when cooked and how to keep a soufflé from falling. He illuminates abstract concepts with practical advice and concrete examples--for instance, how sautéing in butter chemically alters the molecules of mushrooms--so that cooks of every stripe can thoroughly comprehend the scientific principles of food. By sharing the empirical principles chefs have valued for generations, Hervé This adds another dimension to the suggestions of cookbook authors. He shows how to adapt recipes to available ingredients and how to modify proposed methods to the utensils at hand. His revelations make difficult recipes easier to attempt and allow for even more creativity and experimentation. Promising to answer your most compelling kitchen questions, Hervé This continues to make the complex science of food digestible to the cook. "Cooks who want to learn more about the chemistry and physics that make their efforts possible will discover useful things here."--Booklist "This has made invisible processes visible, revealed the mysteries, and the bread has risen, baked, and been enjoyed."--Appetite for Books "[An] eye-opening book."--Portsmouth Herald "Kitchen Mysteries is another tour de force for the French scientific chef . . . Highly Recommended."--Choice
Publication Date: 2007
The Science of Cooking by
Written as a textbook with an online laboratory manual for students and adopting faculties, this work is intended for non-science majors / liberal studies science courses and will cover a range of scientific principles of food, cooking and the science of taste and smell. Chapters include: The Science of Food and Nutrition of Macromolecules; Science of Taste and Smell; Milk, Cream, and Ice Cream, Metabolism and Fermentation; Cheese, Yogurt, and Sour Cream; Browning; Fruits and Vegetables; Meat, Fish, and Eggs; Dough, Cakes, and Pastry; Chilies, Herbs, and Spices; Beer and Wi≠ and Chocolate, Candy and Other Treats. Each chapters begins with biological, chemical, and /or physical principles underlying food topics, and a discussion of what is happening at the molecular level. This unique approach is unique should be attractive to chemistry, biology or biochemistry departments looking for a new way to bring students into their classroom. There are no pre-requisites for the course and the work is appropriate for all college levels and majors.
Publication Date: 2016
The Complete Plant-based Cookbook : 500 Inspired, Flexible Recipes for Eating Well Without Meat by
Your one-stop resource for plant-based eating Plant-based cooking is more diverse than ever—and so are our reasons for wanting to eat this way. ATK's modern guide offers flexible, foolproof recipes for every occasion that you can tailor to suit your preferences, choosing whether to make any given dish vegan or vegetarian. From building a plant-centric plate to cooking with plant-based meat and dairy, you'll find everything you need here to create varied, satisfying meals. The 500-plus recipes are vegan but flexible, so the Rancheros with Avocado can feature tofu or eggs, the Farro Salad with Cucumber, Yogurt, and Mint is delicious with either plant-based or dairy yogurt, the Vegetable Fried Rice with Broccoli and Shiitake Mushrooms can have eggs or not, and the No-Bake Cherry-Almond Crisp is irresistible whether you use coconut oil or butter. ATK's plant-based eating strategy is easy, budget-friendly, and inclusive—cuisines around the world are rich with boldly flavored, naturally vegan dishes. Drawing inspiration from them, these recipes showcase produce, beans and grains, and vegan (and vegetarian) protein sources. The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook is packed with ingenious tips for cooking with plant-forward ingredients and also showcases ATK's practical techniques. Rethink how you use vegetables (blend leeks into a silky pasta sauce, use beets to transform a burger from the "vegan option" into the best option); discover how to boost umami flavor using tomato paste, dried mushrooms, and miso; and more. A thorough opening section delves into the details of modern plant-based eating, addressing shopping and storage strategies, the plethora of plant-based meat and dairy options, and how to meet nutritional needs.
Publication Date: 2020
Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks SeriesPublication Date: 2002 to 2005
The Insect Cookbook by
The Definitive Guide to Insects as a Sustainable Food Source In The Insect Cookbook, two entomologists and a chef make the case for insects as a sustainable source of protein for humans and a necessary part of our future diet. They provide consumers and chefs with the essential facts about insects for culinary use, with recipes simple enough to make at home yet boasting the international flair of the world's most chic dishes. "Invite politicians to dinner and let them tell the world how delicious it is.... They will proudly go around and say, 'I ate crickets, I ate locusts, and they were delicious.'"-Kofi Annan The Insect Cookbook features delicious recipes and interviews with top chefs, insect farmers, political figures, and nutrition experts, including chef Ren#65533; Redzepi, whose establishment was elected three times as "best restaurant of the world"; Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations; and Daniella Martin of Girl Meets Bug. The book contains all you need to know about cooking with insects, where to buy them, which ones are edible, and how to store and prepare them at home and in commercial spaces.
Publication Date: 2014
My Bombay Kitchen by
Chef Samin Nosrat's Top Ten Favorite Books for Vulture? Winner, 2008 James Beard Foundation Book Award in Asian Cooking The Persians of antiquity were renowned for their lavish cuisine and their never-ceasing fascination with the exotic. These traits still find expression in the cooking of India's rapidly dwindling Parsi population--descendants of Zoroastrians who fled Persia after the Sassanian empire fell to the invading Arabs. The first book published in the United States on Parsi food written by a Parsi, this beautiful volume includes 165 recipes and makes one of India's most remarkable regional cuisines accessible to Westerners. In an intimate narrative rich with personal experience, the author leads readers into a world of new ideas, tastes, ingredients, and techniques, with a range of easy and seductive menus that will reassure neophytes and challenge explorers.
Publication Date: 2007
More online cookbooks to suit a variety of palates
A collection of online cookbooks from the Hamilton Public Library.
- Cooking videos via Kanopy A collection of streaming videos on cooking available through the Hamilton Public Library.
- FeedFeed - a network connecting people who love to cook. Includes recipes, videos, articles and cooking tips.
The $7 a Meal Mediterranean Cookbook by
Bruschetta for breakfast. Legumes for lunch. Dates for dessert. Cooking heart- and brain-healthy food has never been so delicious--or so inexpensive! Families on any budget will love cooking these 301 mouthwatering Mediterranean recipes, including: Ratatouille, Bulgar-Stuffed Zucchini, Italian Egg-Drop Soup, Mussels Marinara, and Stuffed Grape Leaves. Every recipe includes the nutritional information, the total cost, and tips for buying the best ingredients at the most affordable prices--so there are no surprises at the grocery store. This cookbook makes it easy to keep any family healthy for a lifetime.
Publication Date: 2011
100 Days of Real Food: on a Budget by
The author of the phenomenal bestselling 100 Days of Real Food series addresses the most common concern of her readers--how to cut out processed food on a tight budget--in this full-color cookbook with shopping lists and prices for each recipe. Millions of American families are discovering the dangers of eating processed food. But wholesome, fresh ingredients can seem more expensive--from buying organic grains, dairy, and produce to the issue of food waste as people learn to plan and cook in new ways. With her hugely popular 100 Days of Real Food blog and her two bestselling books, Lisa Leake has been a leader in helping everyday families move away from processed foods. She also understands the concerns of her followers who want to eat better without breaking the bank! In 100 Days of Real Food: On a Budget she shows readers how to make a variety of unprocessed dishes for $15 or less a recipe. Unlike other budget cookbooks that only calculate the cost per serving (have you ever tried to buy just ¼ cup of sour cream?), this incredibly practical book gives you the exact total cost for all the necessary ingredients for each dish, helping busy families even on the tightest budget plan the meals that will work for them. Lisa provides delicious recipes for breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and desserts, including: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Quiche with an Easy Whole-Wheat Crust Sweet Potato and Black Bean Cakes Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins with Toasted Coconut Green Apple Slaw Chicken Burrito Bowls Cheesy Pasta and Cauliflower Bake Apple Glazed Pork Chops Sausage and Pepper Tacos Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites Pina Colada Frozen Yogurt Pops In addition to the wallet-friendly recipes, Lisa shares practical secrets for saving money in the kitchen: learning to plan ahead, getting the best deals on staple items, knowing what to make versus what to buy, growing your own herbs, and even reducing waste--which is currently twenty percent of all food purchased!
Publication Date: 2018
Good Cheap Eats: Dinner in 30 Minutes or Less by
In over 200 recipes, Jessica Fisher shows time-pressed cooks how they can eat remarkably well without breaking the bank. Good Cheap Eats serves up 65 two-course dinners, consisting of a main dish and a substantial side, salad, or soup, all of which take 30 minutes or less to prepare. And as a mother of six and a busy parent, she shows home cooks how to get dinner on the table quickly and inexpensively without relying on heavily processed shortcuts or artificial ingredients. Great for time-pressed couples, families with picky eaters, or singles that need a quick solution to dinner tonight, Jessica's two-course pairings are artfully conceived and perfectly complementary.
Publication Date: 2015
Plant-based on a Budget: Delicious Vegan Recipes for Under $30 A Week, in Less Than 30 Minutes A Meal by
Eat vegan—for less! Between low-paying jobs, car troubles, student loans, vet bills, and trying to pay down credit card debt, Toni Okamoto spent most of her early adult life living paycheck to paycheck. So when she became a vegan at age 20, she worried: How would she be able to afford that kind of lifestyle change? Then she discovered how to be plant-based on a budget. Through her popular website, Toni has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to eat a plant-strong diet while saving money in the process. With Plant-Based on a Budget, going vegan is not only an attainable goal, but the best choice for your health, the planet—and your wallet. Toni's guidance doesn't just help you save money—it helps you save time, too. Every recipe in this book can be ready in around 30 minutes or less. Through her imaginative and incredibly customizable recipes, Toni empowers readers to make their own substitutions based on the ingredients they have on hand, reducing food waste in the process. Inside discover 100 of Toni's "frugal but delicious" recipes, including: 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Bites Banana Zucchini Pancakes Sick Day Soup Lentils and Sweet Potato Bowl PB Ramen Stir Fry Tofu Veggie Gravy Bowl Jackfruit Carnita Tacos Depression Era Cupcakes Real Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies With a foreword by Michael Greger, MD, Plant-Based on a Budget gives you everything you need to make plant-based eating easy, accessible, and most of all, affordable. Featured in the groundbreaking documentary What the Health Rubik Cubes make a perfect gift for any occasion. Learn more about this entertaining puzzle visiting ruwix.com.
Publication Date: 2019
- Budget Bytes - Delicious Recipes Designed for Small Budgets Easy recipes made with simple ingredients that will keep you full, happy, and within your budget!
- Food and Nutrition collection via Curio.ca Curio.ca provides streaming access to selected educational content from CBC and Radio-Canada, with documentaries from television and radio, news reports, and archival material.
- Food Studies Online A research database of books, images, and videos that explore how food shapes the world around us. Topics covered in the collection include food movements, food security, food safety, food systems, organic farming and GMOs, vegetarianism and more.
