An introduction to oysters and their place in our culture and food system--including a quick global history, an account of the current state of oyster farming, and a glimpse of the promising environmental solutions oyster farming offers in this age of food challenges and climate change.
The oyster is one of Earth's oldest animals, and fossil records show humans have enjoyed them for hundreds of thousands of years. But like so many other creatures, wild oysters were driven to near extinction by overconsumption and pollution. The Clean Water Act passed in 1972 marked a turning point for water quality, and decades later, we're witnessing a renaissance in oyster culture as the rise of aquaculture (ocean farming) attempts to supply a growing demand for oysters that increases exponentially year after year.
Internationally renowned oyster farmer Dan Martino guides readers through this fascinating history before presenting a detailed breakdown of the current state of the oyster industry as only an insider can describe it. He discusses husbandry, nursery, and farm techniques; the practical side of working with local government to set up a farm; tips for selling into the market; and what qualities make for the perfect oyster. He details the various global styles of farming and the species of oysters farmed, explaining how they differ in size, texture, shape, and taste--characteristics referred to as merroir, to parallel the way terroir illuminates how the origin of place affects taste in wine.
The oyster has never been more relevant as we look to the future and the many challenges presented by climate change and a growing population. Martino explores how the current land-based food production system risks collapse as it tries to keep up with growing demand, and oyster farming, which uses no land and minimal freshwater input, is a natural alternative to more resource-intensive food sources. Oysters are also exceptionally good at capturing carbon, making them a necessary element in the quest for climate change solutions.
The Oyster Book is an exploration of the past, present, and future of humanity's relationship with the oyster, highlighting how humans can learn from our mistakes and harness the oyster's potential for a more sustainable future.
When famine, drought, and malnutrition plagued their communities, these farmers tried something revolutionary--and managed to nourish their families and their land in the process.
Farmers in some of the world's oldest agricultural areas--Africa's Great Rift Valley, India's Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Highlands of Central America, and the Great Plains of the U.S.--were toiling year after year, only to find that modern industrial agriculture was turning on itself. The very practices that they were using to grow food yesterday were making it more difficult to grow food today. Pesticides used to protect their crops were killing off beneficial biodiversity. Monocropping was depleting the soil of necessary nutrients. And deforestation was making the land hotter and drier. Industrial agriculture's effects on our climate and environment were multiplying and worsening, until the very families growing the world's food were starving.
But some of these farmers took a gamble and changed their practices to work with nature rather than bending nature to their will. They terraced the land to catch more rainwater and prevent soil runoff; they planted a diverse range of vegetables that would balance the nutrients in the soil; they replaced commercial fertilizers with organic matter from their own farms; they planted more trees and drought-resistant grains; and, perhaps most importantly, they taught their communities by example that these regenerative farming methods paid off--both in nourishing their families and in bringing their land back to life.
Award-winning author and journalist Roger Thurow has traveled to Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, India, Guatemala, Peru, and the United States to share their stories, highlighting the conflicts inherent in our most important human endeavor: feeding the world using the methods of industrial agriculture is stripping the land of its ability to feed future generations. But, as Thurow points out, these farmers are starting a new kind of revolution, nourishing both humans and the land, and following their lead could help us solve one of the great crises of our time.
Nearly twenty years after it first became a bestselling how-to guide for eager new cooks and seasoned preservers alike, Artisanal Preserves is back with an updated edition, providing the latest guidelines for cooking and canning delicious jams, jellies, marmalades, and more.
For those new to the craft, chef Madelaine Bullwinkel includes a primer on the history and basic process of preserving. Experienced canners will appreciate exciting flavor combinations--such as Lime Zucchini Marmalade and Blackberry Ginger Preserves--as well as no-sugar jams and forty recipes for breads, muffins, and desserts that make good use of your new jams and jellies. Bullwinkel explains all the latest techniques for canning and sealing and has eliminated commercial pectin from all recipes, resulting in all-natural preserves sealed according to current USDA standards.
Since the book's original publication in 2005, the popularity of home preserving has continued to rise along with renewed interest in other old-fashioned craft cooking hobbies, such as brewing beer, pickling produce, and making sourdough starters.
Bullwinkel's thorough teaching style and time-saving techniques make the preserving process surprisingly simple. Artisanal Preserves is the go-to primer for making elegant, delicious fruit preserves at home.
The essential history of bread baking and sourdough's rise to a global phenomenon.
Sourdough bread fueled the labor that built the Egyptian pyramids. The Roman Empire distributed free sourdough loaves to its citizens to maintain political stability. More recently, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, sourdough bread baking became a global phenomenon as people contended with being confined to their homes and sought distractions from their fear, uncertainty, and grief. In Sourdough Culture, environmental science professor Eric Pallant shows how throughout history, sourdough bread baking has always been about survival.
Sourdough Culture presents the history and rudimentary science of sourdough bread baking from its discovery more than six thousand years ago to its still-recent displacement by the innovation of dough-mixing machines and fast-acting yeast. Pallant traces the tradition of sourdough across continents, from its origins in the Middle East's Fertile Crescent to Europe and then around the world. Pallant also explains how sourdough fed some of history's most significant figures, such as Plato, Pliny the Elder, Louis Pasteur, Marie Antoinette, Martin Luther, and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and introduces the lesser-known--but equally important--individuals who relied on sourdough bread for sustenance: ancient Roman bakers, medieval housewives, Gold Rush miners, and the many, many others who have produced daily sourdough bread in anonymity.
Each chapter of Sourdough Culture is accompanied by a selection from Pallant's own favorite recipes, which span millennia and traverse continents, and highlight an array of approaches, traditions, and methods to sourdough bread baking. Sourdough Culture is a rich, informative, and engaging read, especially for bakers--whether skilled or just beginners. More importantly, it tells the important and dynamic story of the bread that has fed the world.
In this new edition of her bestselling guide, internationally recognized sports nutritionist Monique Ryan explains the latest cutting-edge research on essential topics for endurance athletes such as how to fuel workouts, savvy race preparation, effective recovery, smart weight loss, and safe supplements.
Unlock your athletic potential with Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, the ultimate guide to fueling your performance in running, cycling, triathlon, and swimming. In this newly updated fourth edition, Monique Ryan, a renowned nutritionist with more than 30 years of experience advising elite athletes and pro sports teams, demystifies high-performance nutrition, offering clear and practical advice based on the latest research and real-world expertise.
Ryan addresses the fundamental questions of endurance sports nutrition for everyone, from accomplished competitors to total beginners: what to eat and drink, how much, and when. From training to racing, recovery to weight management, she provides tailored strategies to optimize your performance and achieve your goals. Drawing on rigorous scientific studies, Ryan dispels common myths surrounding supplements and ergogenic aids while providing a balanced perspective on practices like fat loading and glycogen-depleted workouts.
Recognizing that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes delves into the specific dietary needs of runners, cyclists, triathletes, and swimmers, highlighting the nuances that can give you a competitive edge. Whether you're tackling a sprint or a marathon, a criterium or a mountain bike race, Ryan offers tailored nutrition plans to suit your event's demands.
In addition to practical advice, this comprehensive guide includes valuable reference material such as a glycemic index, a glossary of essential vitamins and minerals, and a comparison of sports nutrition products. With Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, you'll discover how smart nutrition can elevate your performance, whether you're aiming for a personal best or embarking on your first endurance challenge.