Sunday, January 4, 2009

Traditional South African Cooking or A Field Guide to Buying Organic

Traditional South African Cooking

Author: Magdaleen Van Wyk

South African cuisine is a unique blend of the culinary art of many different culturesâЂ"the Dutch, French, German and British settlers, as well as the Malays who came from the East, all brought their own recipes to this country. The subtle adaptation of these âЂimportedâЂ™ recipes in the addition of local ingredients and the introduction of innovative cooking methods have made for an original, much-loved cuisine. This book also features interesting snippets about the early newcomerâЂ™s way of life. Anyone who longs for a beloved grandmotherâЂ™s famous milk tart or melkkos, or a great auntâЂ™s delicious bobotie or vetkoek, should have this book in his or her kitchen!



New interesting book: Focused Operations Management or Real Estate

A Field Guide to Buying Organic

Author: Luddene Perry

The definitive guide to healthful, affordable food shopping in the Organic Age—from a pioneer in the organic movement

What does it really mean when a food is labeled organic? While many of us believe there are good reasons to buy organic, what exactly are they? The authors of this indispensable handbook sift fact from fiction to help you make informed decisions that are right for you. Here is everything you need to know, including when paying more for organic is worth it—and when it’s not. A Field Guide to Buying Organic provides you with:

·Self-tests to determine your current organic-shopping habits—and the type of organic shopper you want to become

·A primer on organic food standards, labels, and seals

·Health and quality comparisons of organically grown versus conventionally grown produce

·An aisle-by-aisle supermarket guide to information about the most popular organic produce, dairy, meat and poultry, baked goods, nuts, seeds, grains, convenience foods, and drinks

·The truth about pesticides, hormones, genetically modified foods (GMOs), toxins, and bacteria

…Plus illustrations featuring product logos and contact information, and a fascinating overview of the evolution of organics

Publishers Weekly

Perry, a teacher and consultant to the organic food industry, and freelance writer Schultz skillfully guide readers through the complexities of organic food production, distribution and consumption to help informed purchasing decisions. They begin by detailing the history of organic farming; federal regulations and the U.S.D.A. certification process; nonorganic practices of concern for consumers (pesticides, hormones, genetically engineered organisms and crops, etc.); and the effects of current production methods on the environment and society. Then, they give an aisle-by-aisle guide to supermarket and health food store shelves. Useful tools-such as label and ingredient comparisons, a brand guide, explanations of processing methods-will allow readers to confidently choose between conventional and organic products. In each section, the authors offer quizzes for readers to pinpoint the concerns that drive their choices: health, economic, environmental, social or culinary. Readers whose main motivation is to safeguard health may be surprised to learn that some organic products don't have clear advantages over conventional ones, while those who seek the freshest, best-performing products may be inspired to select organic items more frequently. Similarly, price-conscious shoppers will discover that some organic products do offer definite advantages for only a few cents more. The authors' balanced approach should appeal to those committed to organics and skeptics alike. (Aug. 30) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

With organic food turning into big business, savvy consumers will appreciate this guide to groceries. Beginning with explanations of organic labeling, certification, and pricing, Perry, a consultant to the organic food industry, and Schultz, a freelance writer, go on to explain the evolution of the organic movement in terms of environmental, societal, and health concerns. In chapters devoted to each major store aisle, the authors use easy-to-interpret tables to explain how food is produced and brought to market, highlighting important points about conventional vs. organic production, best bets, and guides to brands. They debunk common misconceptions along the way, just as Steve Meyerowitz did in The Organic Food Guide: How To Shop Smarter and Eat Healthier. Although well documented, Buying Organic may overwhelm more casual shoppers owing to the array of covered topics. Recommended for larger public libraries.-Bonnie Poquette, Boerner Botanical Gardens Lib., Milwaukee Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.



Table of Contents:
Acknowledgmentsvii
Introduction1
A Note to the Reader5
Part IOrganic Foods and You7
Chapter 1Organics 10113
Chapter 2The Evolution of Organic Agriculture31
Chapter 3Organic Foods and Your Health43
Chapter 4Organic Foods and the Environment59
Chapter 5Organic Foods and Society73
Part IINavigating the Aisles87
Aisle 1The Produce Department97
Aisle 2Breads, Cereals, Pasta, and Grains131
Aisle 3Seeds, Beans, Nuts, and Oils155
Aisle 4The Dairy Case181
Aisle 5Meat and Fish215
Aisle 6Beverages245
Aisle 7Processed Foods277
Conclusion: Beyond the Checkout Counter307
Notes315
Index335

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