Foodwise: Understanding What We Eat and How it Affects Us, the Story of Human Nutrition - Softcover

Cook, Wendy E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1902636392 ISBN 13: 9781902636399

Publisher: Clairview Books, 2003

Synopsis

Wendy Cook’s fascination with nutrition began during her war-time childhood. In the midst of deprivation and food-rationing, the rich abundance of her mother’s organic garden made a profound impression. In her twenties, married to Peter Cook, she discovered the artistic and magical effects that food could have in creating a convivial atmosphere. During this period she cooked for many well-known names, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Dudley Moore, Peter Ustinov and Allan Bennett. But it was only later, through her daughter falling ill, that she came to study and understand deeper aspects of nutrition, and in particular the effects of different foods on human health and consciousness.

In Foodwise Wendy Cook presents a remarkable cornucopia of challenging ideas, advice and commentary, informed by the seminal work of the scientist Rudolf Steiner. She begins the volume with biographical glimpses relating to her experience of food and how it has influenced her life. She then presents an extraordinary perspective on the journey of human evolution, relating it to changes in consciousness and the consumption of different foods. In the following section she considers the importance of agricultural methods, the nature of the human being, the significance of grasses and grains, the mystery of human digestion, and the question of vegetarianism. In the next section she analyses the ‘building blocks’ of nutrition, looking in some detail at the nutritional (or otherwise) qualities of many foodstuffs, including carbohydrates, minerals, fats and oils, milk and dairy products, herbs and spices, salt and sweeteners, stimulants, legumes, the nightshade family, bread, water, and dietary supplements. She ends with practical tips on cooking, planning menus, children’s food, sharing meals, and some mouth-watering recipes.

Foodwise presents a treasure of wisdom and experience for anybody with a concern for the content of the food they eat or a desire to discover more about the physical, soul and spiritual aspects of nutrition.

About this title

Review

‘A great testament to one person’s struggle to bring meaning to food’ -- Professor Tim Lang, City University

‘A rich and sensitive philosophical exploration... A how-to-book with difference - it tells you how to live.’ -- Elisabeth Luard, author of Sacred Food

‘At last here is a book which tells you the whole truth about food! ... It is a book which unites taste and transcendence.’ -- Satish Kumar, editor of Resurgence

‘Wendy Cook gathers relevant knowledge about human culture and nutrition that is guided by her wide experience and informed by a love that comes from sharing.’ -- Professor Brian Goodwin, author of How The Leopard Changed Its Spots

About the Author

WENDY COOK is a writer and speaker on nutritional issues. The first wife of satirist Peter Cook, she gained a reputation as a hostess in the 1960s and '70s. Born in 1940, she studied art at Cambridge where she met Peter Cook. Later they lived in London and New York during which time Wendy developed cooking and entertaining as her creative motif. When their daughter Daisy developed asthma and conventional medicine had little effect, Wendy began a journey of discovery of complementary treatments and alternative ideas. She studied macrobiotics as well as Rudolf Steiner's approach to nutrition and agriculture ('biodynamics'). Having discovered how life-changing nutrition can be, she devoted herself to cooking and teaching in clinics, communities and schools. More recently she was resident at Schumacher College while simultaneously studying for a degree in Waldorf Education at Plymouth University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clairview Books
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1902636392
• ISBN 13: 9781902636399
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 352