Book Review: Avocado Anxiety
Avocado Anxiety: and Other Stories About Where Your Food Comes From by Louise Gray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I gobbled up this book in one sitting – and then trotted out to the kitchen to inventory my fresh veggies. I’ll need some beans to make a clever, tasty-sounding version of avocado toast, sans avocado. I love avocados, probably a lot more than I should, But now I know more about their carbon footprint and the water consumption that goes into growing this popular food. Louise Gray made a clearly-stated, intelligent case for cutting back my consumption, (though I’ll still love them forever, and will have one now and then.)
That’s just one of the many eye-openers packed into this super-informative book. By focusing on just a dozen fresh foods, there’s plenty of room to share information about the ethics, politics and health benefits of each item,
But this isn’t a dry textbook. It’s written in a friendly, conversational tone, and peppered with personal anecdotes that are sweetly nostalgic and genuinely interesting. As a bonus, each chapter ends with a recipe that steps outside the ordinary recipe box. All in all, it’s a well-balanced read. I’d recommend this for younger folk just setting out on their own and learning how to shop and cook, but also for us older cooks who’ve fallen into food-ruts and preconceived notions.
My thanks to author Louise Gray, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
