Gourmands and health nuts are invited to join “Meatless Monday” blogger and acclaimed food writer Ellen Kanner for the Cayman Islands launch of “Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith, and What to Eat for Dinner – A Satisfying Diet for Unsatisfying Times”.
Ellen, we’re told, presents global vegan recipes that call you to the table, stories that make you stand up and cheer, and gentle nudges that aim to serve up what we’re hungry for: a more vital self, more loving and meaningful connections, a nourished and nourishing world, and great food, too.
Weekender’s been reading the book and it is indeed a great mix of personal stories and very intriguing vegan recipes. Hey, if it tastes good, we ain’t gonna argue, are we?
We grabbed Ellen for a quick Q&A ahead of her appearance at Books & Books on Thursday, 28 March at 7pm.
What first inspired Feeding the Hungry Ghost?
I write about food for a number of terrific publications – I’m HP’s Meatless Monday blogger, the Miami Herald’s Edgy Veggie, I write for Every Day With Rachael Ray, Culinate and Bon Appetit. Every article has a specific focus – be it a gastronomic trend or health or a particular chef.
What interests me is how it all connects – and what connects us. Food connects us, whoever we are, wherever are. Our health, the health of the environment and the joy of sharing a meal of fresh produce are all bound up together. Feeding the Hungry Ghost lets me talk about all the things we’re hungry for, great food, but also meaning, healing, connection and unconditional love.
Food is one of life’s great pleasures so why do people eat so badly? Or, to put it another way, ‘too well?’
Great question. We’re confused, and no surprise. We’re assaulted with ads from food manufacturers telling us we have to buy this, we have to eat that – it’s new, it’s improved. Fruit, vegetables, dried beans and whole grains – real food – isn’t new, isn’t improved. It doesn’t have to be. It’s the healthiest food we can eat and always has been. And it tastes great, too. Unfortunately, real food doesn’t have a big marketing campaign.
I try in my book to offer what a call gentle nudges, easy ways to connect deeper with what we eat and the choices we make. It can be something as simple as growing a little of your own food – a pot of herbs, even – or trying a whole grain like barley instead of the usual white rice. These tiny steps can make a huge difference in our lives, and bring us back to the pleasure of eating, too.
What was the most surprising thing you discovered when researching and writing the book?
How well real food multitasks. So many foods that are naturally delicious are naturally good for us, too. Cinnamon is great for boosting circulation as well as tasting great in oatmeal.
Vegetables offer the most nutrients and fibre for the least amount of calories. One serving of broccoli offers heaping helpings of vitamins C and K, calcium, lutein, even protein, all for 30 calories. That’s way fewer calories than even a skinny latte.
As well as the recipes and the info on international foods, this book is autobiographical isn’t it?
I couldn’t talk about real food without getting pretty real, myself. But though Feeding the Hungry Ghost is, in part, my experience, it’s not about me, it’s about how our personal experiences, our memories, cultural, social, spiritual and emotional associations – all flavour what we eat. Saffron and tarragon make food delicious, culture and connection make our lives delicious.
How does food fit into your life and decisions?
It’s central. Food is central to everyone’s life. I think it helps to remember that, to think of all of us being at one great big table. We all deserve food that’s healthy, fair and accessible for everyone. Protecting the environment and animals, supporting your health and food justice, reducing carbon footprint – it seems like an awful lot to have to deal with when all you want is dinner.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, though. Fresh, local produce gives you all that and more. It’s multitasking at its most delicious.
What can the average family/eater do to quickly improve their diet?
Eat less processed, eat more produce. You’ll feel better, your wallet will feel fatter, your planet will be happier and so will you. You’ll have soothed your inner hungry ghost and enjoy fabulous food, too.
What are you looking forward to most about Cayman?
Walking on the beach, being out on the water, checking out what’s growing in Cayman. Books and Books and Michael’s Genuine, two of my favourite Miami places, have branches on Cayman, too. An island paradise with fresh, local food and great reads – I love Cayman already.
Any other thoughts?
Eat greens. I’m desperate to get greens into people. They’re the healthiest food on the planet, crazy with antioxidants, calcium, iron and more, they’re delicious, filling, adaptable, abundant and budget-friendly. And they’re the hardest thing to get people to eat. In Feeding the Hungry Ghost, I talk about how I cook to seduce, so I’m thinking to combine the two. My next book: Fifty Shades of Broccoli.
Ellen Kanner’s book launch and signing is on Thursday, 28 March, 7pm at Books & Books and is free to get in.
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