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Recipe for Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life
What can you do to improve your health and at the same time improve the health of our home planet? Do you want to be a healthier and more sustainable consumer?
In this straightforward, easy-to-understand and entertaining book, dietitian and environmentalist Dr. Dana Ellis Hunnes outlines the actions we can all take. Many people feel overwhelmed by the scope of climate change and believe that only large, sweeping changes will make any difference. Yet the choices we make every day can have effects on climate change, the oceans, the land, and other species.
This book outlines the problems we are facing, and then presents ideas or 'recipes' to empower us, to help us all make a difference. Recipe For Survival provides the guidance that you can use right now to improve your health, your family's health, and the health of the environment simultaneously.
In this straightforward, easy-to-understand and entertaining book, dietitian and environmentalist Dr. Dana Ellis Hunnes outlines the actions we can all take. Many people feel overwhelmed by the scope of climate change and believe that only large, sweeping changes will make any difference. Yet the choices we make every day can have effects on climate change, the oceans, the land, and other species.
This book outlines the problems we are facing, and then presents ideas or 'recipes' to empower us, to help us all make a difference. Recipe For Survival provides the guidance that you can use right now to improve your health, your family's health, and the health of the environment simultaneously.
- GenresNonfiction
346 pages, Hardcover
Published January 27, 2022
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 9, 2021
Recipe for Survival by Dana Ellis Hunnes aims to inform and educate its readers about how they "can live a healthier and more environmentally-friendly life." In case you are looking for an environmentally-friendly cookbook because the title includes the word "recipe," let me tell you, this is not the book you're looking for. This book is about climate change and the actions you can take as an individual. In other words, the recipes here are actions you can take, not dishes you can serve and eat.
First things first - I love the idea of "action recipes." There are so many books of gloom out there that instill a sense of helplessness in readers instead of inspiring them. And even if the readers are inspired to do something to help the environment, those books often offer little to no guidance. Hence, what sets apart Recipe for Survival is its unapologetic emphasis on action.
The first part of the book exposes the link between global food systems and environmental degradation, particularly climate change. It brings the reader up to speed about the issues at hand and prepares them for the second part, which contains 21 "recipes" they can do to live well and be environmentally friendly at the same time. This structure is another strength of this book. But why didn't I give it 5/5?
The author presents her recipes in order of importance according to her, based on "how much difference they make to our health and to the overall health of the environment." But whose health are we talking about? Some recipes are not accessible to or feasible for many. Not everyone has a yard or nearby community garden (or the time or energy to attend to plants) to grow their own food and compost their scraps. Not everyone has the income to afford organic and fair trade foods and eco-friendly products that are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Not everyone needs to be told to buy fewer things when they can barely buy food after paying rent. Ironically, the ones who suffer the most from environmental problems are the ones who have the least power to do anything about it.
Moreover, I wish the author had given an objectively ranked list. For instance, I just don't see how canning foods (recipe 6) or eating more omegas (recipe 3) are superior to electing pro-environment officials who are willing to implement laws (such as single-use plastic ban), regulate polluting industries (petrochemical, big Ag, etc.), or do away with the subsidies these industries have been receiving (recipe 15).
The other aspect of this book that could be improved is how it presents information. The tone was a mix between semi-academic and conversational. It was peppered with a lot of references, yet some sections missed or glanced over certain pieces of information, while others were repeated again and again.
This book is for those who'd like to learn more about food-related aspects of climate change and can afford to make lifestyle changes that are better for their health, and to some degree, less damaging to the environment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Cambridge University Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First things first - I love the idea of "action recipes." There are so many books of gloom out there that instill a sense of helplessness in readers instead of inspiring them. And even if the readers are inspired to do something to help the environment, those books often offer little to no guidance. Hence, what sets apart Recipe for Survival is its unapologetic emphasis on action.
The first part of the book exposes the link between global food systems and environmental degradation, particularly climate change. It brings the reader up to speed about the issues at hand and prepares them for the second part, which contains 21 "recipes" they can do to live well and be environmentally friendly at the same time. This structure is another strength of this book. But why didn't I give it 5/5?
The author presents her recipes in order of importance according to her, based on "how much difference they make to our health and to the overall health of the environment." But whose health are we talking about? Some recipes are not accessible to or feasible for many. Not everyone has a yard or nearby community garden (or the time or energy to attend to plants) to grow their own food and compost their scraps. Not everyone has the income to afford organic and fair trade foods and eco-friendly products that are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Not everyone needs to be told to buy fewer things when they can barely buy food after paying rent. Ironically, the ones who suffer the most from environmental problems are the ones who have the least power to do anything about it.
Moreover, I wish the author had given an objectively ranked list. For instance, I just don't see how canning foods (recipe 6) or eating more omegas (recipe 3) are superior to electing pro-environment officials who are willing to implement laws (such as single-use plastic ban), regulate polluting industries (petrochemical, big Ag, etc.), or do away with the subsidies these industries have been receiving (recipe 15).
The other aspect of this book that could be improved is how it presents information. The tone was a mix between semi-academic and conversational. It was peppered with a lot of references, yet some sections missed or glanced over certain pieces of information, while others were repeated again and again.
This book is for those who'd like to learn more about food-related aspects of climate change and can afford to make lifestyle changes that are better for their health, and to some degree, less damaging to the environment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Cambridge University Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2022
Ouch, this book hurt. It was very doomsday filled, not in a dramatic way, but a realistic one. It was an overwhelming collection of many of the issues of climate change as well as confronting how we are treating our fellow humans and species on this planet so terribly. A lot of other reviewers noted the authors repetitiveness, and it was there, but I viewed it more as the author’s passion on sustainability and urging people to do better. Yes, corporations are a main source and continued cause for our failing climate but that does not mean that we cannot all be aware, spread that awareness, and be a part of the change. In turn, it also can help us live healthier day to day lives and prolong our time here on Earth.
The author presents a lot of important issues in this book but also a lot of paths forward to transforming our food and daily habits into more sustainable practices for those who can make these changes. I do think there could have been a little more mindfulness around socioeconomic status and how privilege plays a big part in our call to climate action. Some simply cannot afford or have the time/access to make some or any of these changes. In turn though, I think the author’s comments about meat consumption were really important not only in a sustainable way but as a middle class American, like myself, and the importance of needing to step up and be more mindful about animal product consumption instead of putting a blanket statement over all peoples on Earth needing to be more mindful. Yes, everyone should be aware of our climate issues but focusing on being more meat conscious myself (and for others like me) on the day to day after having access to animals’ products my whole life is a lot more important than someone from a lower economic status or from a lower developmentally driven country that historically did not have as much access to meat to feed themselves and their family being urged to go meat free was a glaring sticking point to me. For me, the author opened a lot of avenues of thought on the front of fairness and who really should be the people stepping up to lead action in climate change and sustainability practices. I am a person that has been driving my car (not only for work but for fun), flying more frequently, and profiting off having access to multiple stable food options, as well as having more choices at times for more sustainable practices vs someone who cannot afford private transportation, might not have access to animal products for consumption, or the means to make these changes in their daily lives. In this fight against climate change not forgetting that these privileges are very real and varies vastly from country-to-country across the world.
There are so many different factors to climate change and changing our habits for the betterment of ourselves, family, and other plants and animals on Earth is important. Being aware that I have the access to change things in my life and not everyone is going to have this access but that does not mean I should not be trying my best to contribute to the change where I can. This was a really good read and I highly recommend it!
The author presents a lot of important issues in this book but also a lot of paths forward to transforming our food and daily habits into more sustainable practices for those who can make these changes. I do think there could have been a little more mindfulness around socioeconomic status and how privilege plays a big part in our call to climate action. Some simply cannot afford or have the time/access to make some or any of these changes. In turn though, I think the author’s comments about meat consumption were really important not only in a sustainable way but as a middle class American, like myself, and the importance of needing to step up and be more mindful about animal product consumption instead of putting a blanket statement over all peoples on Earth needing to be more mindful. Yes, everyone should be aware of our climate issues but focusing on being more meat conscious myself (and for others like me) on the day to day after having access to animals’ products my whole life is a lot more important than someone from a lower economic status or from a lower developmentally driven country that historically did not have as much access to meat to feed themselves and their family being urged to go meat free was a glaring sticking point to me. For me, the author opened a lot of avenues of thought on the front of fairness and who really should be the people stepping up to lead action in climate change and sustainability practices. I am a person that has been driving my car (not only for work but for fun), flying more frequently, and profiting off having access to multiple stable food options, as well as having more choices at times for more sustainable practices vs someone who cannot afford private transportation, might not have access to animal products for consumption, or the means to make these changes in their daily lives. In this fight against climate change not forgetting that these privileges are very real and varies vastly from country-to-country across the world.
There are so many different factors to climate change and changing our habits for the betterment of ourselves, family, and other plants and animals on Earth is important. Being aware that I have the access to change things in my life and not everyone is going to have this access but that does not mean I should not be trying my best to contribute to the change where I can. This was a really good read and I highly recommend it!
September 6, 2021
This book was not what I expected. I was looking for practical tips to live a more environmentally friendly life, ways to have a healthier diet, and what I got was a diatribe on farming practices and a bleak picture of our planet. Is there truth here? Yes, there are climate problems and we need to be doing a lot more to keep our planet healthy and strong for future generations, but this book was a bit much for me. It is not an easy read by any means, but if you are really an environmentalist, this book will be for you. It just missed the mark for me, and I could not even force myself to finish.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 28, 2021
I read these books to find more ways to heal Mother earth and I found "Recipe for Survival," to be a very thorough look at what ails are planet and some solutions that can help make a difference.
The first half of the book talks about all the problems that we are facing and the organizations that are trying to help, such as plastic in the ocean and poaching. The second half has the solution that each one of us can do to help, such as, using less plastic, eating more vegetable base proteins, and voting for those who are advocates for the planet.
This a great book for anyone trying to help the planet and I hope it makes believers out of those who do not believe.
I want to thank Cambridge University Press and NetGalley for this helpful book.
The first half of the book talks about all the problems that we are facing and the organizations that are trying to help, such as plastic in the ocean and poaching. The second half has the solution that each one of us can do to help, such as, using less plastic, eating more vegetable base proteins, and voting for those who are advocates for the planet.
This a great book for anyone trying to help the planet and I hope it makes believers out of those who do not believe.
I want to thank Cambridge University Press and NetGalley for this helpful book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews