The books starts off with Mrs. Kingsolver explaining why it is nearly impossible to eat locally and sustainably from farm to plate in an area like Arizona and why her family needed to moved where pastures are greener. So the Kingsolver family settles into a farm and they begin their adventure of eating only what has been grown or raised in their county with much of that being done by themselves. They plant a large vegetable garden, they raise chickens for eggs and meat, and they raise turkeys. They also develop relationships with farmers nearby so that they can purchase from them what they cannot get themselves. Immediately they see just how spoiled people become when they do not have to consider where their food came from and at what cost. Most people might never know what wild asparagus looks like, how to make cheese, or how to find a moral mushroom. But the Kingsolver family was determined to reconnect with their food in an intimate way and never again be so detached from the process.

Their adventures are delightful to read from the first picking of asparagus in spring, to making cheese, to organizing a birthday party for over a hundred people using only produce from local farms.

Barbara Kingsolver writes much of the book but her partner Steve also contributes essays and her daughter Camille details some delicious recipes the family ate while on their journey.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a book about one family’s journey from southern Arizona to Virginia and their goal to reconnect with their local food chain.

Over the years I have opted to ditch conventional toiletries for more natural and safe ones. One of the first products I became concerned about using was deodorant. I had developed very sore underarms. I would get golf ball size lumps under them and they would just ache. This continual occurrence lead me to research what was actually in conventional deodorants which led me to research that has shown a link between deodorant ingredients such as parabans and aluminum to breast cancer. When I read about the possible link between cancer and deodorant I knew I to find a deodorant alternative that was more safe and natural.

I have tried several different brands and types of deodorant…gels, solids, roll-ons, crystals, etc. Some of them worked okay and some of them were just plain ineffective. The one I like best is Ancient Spice Deodorant by Miessence Organics. It is a roll-on deodorant and it is 100% safe, natural, and organic. It smells faintly of ancient oils and spices, it doesn’t feel sticky, and it actually keeps odors at bay. The ingredient listing doesn’t have a laundry list of chemical names that you can’t pronounce. Instead you find recognizable things like clove, frankincense, aloe vera, lime, and cinnamon.

You can buy Ancient Spice Deodorant at:

Earth’s Best 2-in-1 Body Wash and Shampoo, created by Jason, uses 70% organic ingredients, meaning no pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers were used to cultivate those ingredients. In addition, the entire product line of baby care products is created without animal by-products, lanolin, sodium lauryl, waxes, mineral oil, petroleum, and parabens. The product line been tested by a certified pediatrician but NOT tested on animals. The body wash and shampoo is hypoallergenic, tear-free, and made without synthetic fragrances. The product line also includes hair detangler, lotion, sunblock, baby oil, diaper rash cream, and toothpaste. A travel kit is also available that includes most of the products.
 I really like this wash and shampoo, and wish I had started using it years ago. The body wash is scented with natural lavender and smells wonderful. It is not overly greasy or soapy and is concentrated so that a little bit goes a long way. It does not overdry or irritate my children’s skin, but leaves it soft. Neither of my children, who are sensitive to bath care products, have had a rash or reaction to this product. And it is definitely tear-free. Unlike many natural bath products, the price for this body wash and shampoo is pretty reasonable. I especially like that it does not include synthetic fragrances, which often means plastics of some sort.