Nourishing Traditions

“The Diet Dictocrates don’t want you to know that…

*Your body needs old-fashioned animal fats

*New-Fangled polyunsaturated oils can be bad for you

*Modern whole grain products can cause health problems

*Traditional sauces promote digestion and assimilation

*Modern food processing denatures our foods but

*Ancient preservation methods actually increase nutrients in fruits, nuts, vegetables, meats and milk products!”

-From the back cover.

Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon,  is a cook book that I have owned for two years.  I have read it from cover to cover several times, and never cease to be amazed by the information found in it.  It is based on old ways of doing things, that promote health. 

• The information is well laid out, and easy to use. 
• The recipes are enjoyable and unusual.

Much of the research is based on Dr. Price’s work.  He was a dentist who traveled the world, especially places that had not been affected by modern conveniences, and compared what he found to “modern man.”  The differences in health are astounding.  It is a must read, for anyone who wants to live a long healthy life.

A Year Down Yonder

Adam discovered the books-on-CD section at our library, recently.  As a result, we have listened to a wide variety of books lately.  Many of these are ones that we would not have taken time to read aloud, as a family, due to the large number of books already waiting. 

One of these was A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck.  It is the story of a teenage girl (see why I wouldn’t have chosen it?), who is sent to live with her grandmother, for a year, during the depression. 

Her grandmother is a big, no-nonsense woman, who has a way of taking over everything, and making it better. She is a friend to the friendless, and a know-it-all, who does not tell tales.  She is wise and stubborn.  She is the kind of woman I aspire to be.

The girl, Mary Alice, is a 15 year old city girl, who grows strong and wise under grandmother’s care.  She is not the most popular girl in school, but she makes her own way…and the romance is good.

This is a book I would recommend to anyone, even if your home is full of boys.  It has been two weeks since we listened to this book, and Adam is still asking questions, on topics ranging from telling the truth (and revealing the truth, to those who don’t want to know), to trapping and home defense.

Of Mice and Men

 Last week I took my children to the library.  While waiting for them to make their selections, I browsed the adult section.  There, I found Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.  Now, this is a title I have heard of for as long as I can remember…but its contents never seemed to make it into any conversation, so, having no clue what it was about, I undertook to read it.

The book summery begins, “An intimate portrait of two men who cherish the slim bond between them and the dream they share in a world marred by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness…”   Of Mice and Men, written in 1937, is everything the summery claims, and only 100 pages.  It is also a tale of pending doom.  While never quite sure what turn the story will take next, I knew things cannot go as planned.  There are mini cycles of repeated history, and friendship born out of decency and responsibility.  I liked the honesty of emotion portrayed, the male sensibility, hope and fear.  Times were different in the 1930’s.  Things were done differently then than they are today.  I didn’t like the outcome…not that it could be helped…it is what makes the story.

The overall take was gripping, but not one I would take time to read with my husband.  However, I have placed it on my homeschool reading list, for when the boys are in high school. 

If you have ever wondered about this story, satisfy your curiosity, and read it.