Eating Locally

Could you eat within a 100 mile radius for one year? That is exactly what author's Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon did and they share their tales in their book Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100 Mile Diet.

This book is written sharing both of their experiences, as each chapter alternates between Alisa and James. They share their experiences of their travels by bike ride to local farmers markets, or by car to local farms to acquire specific food needs.

They give up eating anything non-locally and go back to a more primitive way of life, searching for foods that really surround them. While they reside in Vancouver, they have 100 miles to explore local food sources.

They learn how to store foods for the cold winters, diversify the way to cook and eat specific foods, such as potatoes, and learn how to preserve foods for later use. They learn the beauty of eating foods in their freshest state and experience nature at its finest '" producing a bounty of foods for enjoyment.

This book was an interesting read. I enjoyed the different perspectives of the author's. I tried to put myself in their shoes in eating foods only within 100 miles. I do try to eat mostly local foods, which is becoming much easier since even the local grocery stores have locally grown sections of produce.

It was definitely interesting following along with the journey of the author's eating locally for one year, as they ventured to new farms, met new people, tried new foods, and upheld their quest to eat locally for one year. This book is definitely a must read if you are a food enthusiast, nature enthusiast, or just looking for a good read.