Barbara Kingsolver and her family (husband and two daughters (18 and 9), decide to move from Tucson, Arizona to Appalachia, Virginia to live on a farm, grow their own food and eat locally and organically for one year. Neither the area, nor farming, was new to Barbara and her husband; they already owned the farm and had spent summers there. Not only did they grow their own food, but Lily, their 9-year old daughter, loved chickens, so she planned to raise some for eggs and meat, herself. They also raised turkeys.

I really liked it. It was interesting to see how Barbara and her family lived the year - working in the garden, the cooking, the preparation (lots and lots of canning) for winter. There were also interesting sidenotes written by Barbara's husband, and most chapters ended with an article (recipes, and meal plans) by Camille, the 18-year old, who left for college part way through the year

This book was so inspirational I even got my husband to read it. And he loved it too! It has definately made us make changes in our life. I never ever knew heirloom vegetable existed but now that is all I grow and have even purchased books on seed saving. This way of thinking has even snowballed into us thinking of living naturally as possible! We now make out own soap and lotions and lip balm. We also make the mozzarella cheese like in the book!
Please read this book, I cannot say enough about it!!

With "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" Barbara Kingsolver enters the realm of hundred-mile diet books. But this is a hundred-mile diet book with a difference. The text is absolutely readable and Kingsolver's inerring storytelling ability makes the book extremely interesting. There is nothing preachy about this story of one family's year of eating locally. It is fascinating and none of the information presented is difficult to understand. In fact, she helps expand knowledge about this diet and makes a tremendous case for this cause. Unfortunately, a great many of us do not have the advantages of a farm and a supportive and involved family in a project such as this. But all of us can learn a lot and gain many new ideas on things that we can do to eat more sustainably. With every chapter I developed an intense hunger for the food(s) featured in that chapter. The contributions by other members of her family -- daughter and husband -- expand the information in each chapter and provide recipes that are possible, appealing, and mouth watering! This is a book that you will read straight through and then browse through it again and again!

An unexpected but delightful treasure. Barbara has given the reader a window into her family's life over the year following their return to her roots. Has made me yearn to return to my family roots and the farm we no longer have -- including the turkeys. Thank you, Barbara.