Page 89 - Winter2014

All Thumbs Book Reviews

build a very strong and resilient body, creating Price, Michaelis includes drawings of healthy
an immune system strong enough to withstand and compromised facial structures of children,
many of the insults to one’s health from a dis- with tables describing the health implications.
eased environment. Salatin offers the rich phrase Michaelis describes all the processed foods
“heritage wisdom,” as he reminds us that our that affect fertility and health, followed by a focus
problem of fertility is a modern problem. He on what to eat instead. She encourages home-
prepares the reader for Michaelis’ excellent made broths instead of commercial broth with
book with a plea to return to “grandma’s soul- MSG, and explains how to choose traditional
satisfying meals.” fats and oils, describing the health benefits of in-
The tone of the book is upbeat and logical in cluding liberal amounts of them daily. Michaelis
its sequence of chapters. Michaelis divides her does an excellent job of pointing out our need for
very practical work into two main sections, the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) only found in the
first half focusing on the nutrition for fertility, fat of “grazing ruminants like cattle and sheep,
pregnancy, breastfeeding and baby’s first foods, and in the eggs of pastured chickens, in order to
the second part a collection of recipes for “sa- protect the body from a myriad of health condi-
cred foods” for the health of mother and baby, tions and diseases.”
with many photos of delicious dishes that entice Other chapters deal with digestive health,
the reader to begin at once! Two final sections fermented foods, fat-soluble vitamins, alternative
follow as appendixes A and B: Understanding medical treatments for fertility and pregnancy,
Food Ingredient Labels, and Eating Real Food childbirth, breastfeeding and baby's first foods—
on a Budget. which does not include rice cereal!
Part One has ten informative and engaging The second half of the book includes recipes
chapters, beginning with a more in-depth look for organ meats, seafoods, eggs, and healthy
at the major shift in the paradigm of nutritional beverages. The recipes are beautifully illustrated
assumptions, challenging the reader new to and easy to follow.
this information to take a fresh look at “con- Although I might suggest the inclusion of an
ventional” guidelines for fats, cholesterol, and index with a second edition for ease of reference,
carbohydrates. She addresses the question of in general this is a very readable, convincing
why nutrition matters, both for fertility, and the and enjoyable book, and I give it an enthusiastic
formation of a healthy fetus. It will shock some thumbs up!
to think that their nutrition during this phase Review by Johanna Keefe, MSN, AHN-BC,
could affect the very structure of their newborn’s RN, holistic educator
face! Drawing on the research of Dr. Weston A.

THE FUNKY KITCHEN
Sarica Cernohous, LAc, MSTOM, BSBA

We've seen a profusion of cookbooks about traditional diets in the last few years, most of them with many excellent
qualities, but The Funky Kitchen by Phoenix chapter leader Sarica Cernohous fills a real need. Rather than supply us with
a large number of recipes, Cernohous focuses on the core principles, giving detailed explanations and instructions for
each, along with a few well-illustrated recipes. Subjects addressed include lacto-fermentation, bone broths, yogurt, water
kefir, preparing beans, soaking and fermenting grains and making crispy nuts. The sections on making yogurt and making
bread are particularly detailed and will appeal to those trying to perfect their skills in these areas. She offers great ideas
for thickening raw yogurt (which is more like a beverage than a custard) and using it in salad dressings.
A big Thumbs UP to The Funky Kitchen, a real contribution to those of us who like to escape to the kitchen!
Review by Sally Fallon Morell
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