San Francisco Book Review, August 2011
“Watson's recipes are simple, her methods make sense, and readers are left wanting to put her ideas into action.”
Curled Up with a Good Book
“Armed with this book and Watson's tips, strategies, and clear-eyed investigation, anyone with a sincere desire to eat well on a tight budget can easily and quickly transition to just such a healthy lifestyle…Wildly Affordable Organic is something of an epiphany, what with the detailed budget and expenses included and the vast array of possibilities. This one should be required reading in high school Life Skills classes and for every household.”
Midwest Book Review, August 2011
“This book tells how to eat healthy on three dollars a day and packs in tips for healthy organic food preparation on a budget, from menus and recipes to shopping and food options. Health and culinary collections as well as general and homeowner libraries will relish this approach.”
Prevention, October 2011
“The barriers to cooking organic—hefty price tags, hours over a hot stove—vanish, thanks to these quick, delicious meals you can make for less than 5 a day.”
InfoDad.com, 7/7/11
“Most useful for its shopping information and its well-constructed once-a-month, seasonal shopping lists; these are what elevate it above standard advocacy books and above other cookbooks containing recipes similar to the ones here.”Girlfriendbooks.com, 7/20/11
“Remarkable.”
USA Weekend, 7/17/11 “Secret weapon.” Grandparents.com, 8/2/11
"Try [these recipes], and you'll see that organics can be an attainable and delicious option for your family.”
Library Journal, 4/22/11
“Watson demonstrates realistic ways to cook inexpensively yet healthfully without living in the kitchen. Well written and full of useful ideas and tips…Verdict: With the twin concerns of health and food costs very much on consumers' minds lately, this is likely to be popular.”
Kirkus Reviews, 5/15/11
“A unique addition to the genre, this sustainable take on everyday meal planning is both practical and contemporary.”
Portland Oregonian, 6/7/11
“Most of the recipes are simple and time-saving, offering lots of options for on-the-go people.”
Technorati.com, 6/27/11
“[A] strong introduction to organic cooking, offering recipes that will appeal to vegetarians, vegans, and people who just happen to love fruits and veggies. The money-saving and health benefits are added value.”
Tucson Citizen, 7/1/11
“Part cookbook and part shopping guide, Watson gives readers the tools they need to eat well and reduce their impact on the environment without spending top dollar.
Organic chef Watson extols the virtues of living healthfully by combining natural ingredients and thrifty meal planning.
"Eating green doesn't have to mean eating up all your money," writes the author. Watson and husband Bruce (both "flexitarians" who eat meat socially) took part in a fascinating experiment during which spending $1 per meal for an entire summer forced them to radically rework weekly menus, intricately budget food purchases and cook from scratch. The first half of the book shares the fruits of that trial period: a "scrimp or splurge" chart listing money-saving alternatives for common kitchen staples, indispensable tips on shopping smarter (watch for sales to get national brands at store-brand prices, scan the Hispanic aisle for equivalents), and the benefits of fresh-freezing, farmers' markets buying in bulk and composting. Some suggestions are a stretch, like using food scales and buying smaller plates to reduce overeating. Watson's 7-day, 20-minute cooking plans fall right in step with her smart planning, cooking and shopping strategies. The author organizes menus organized by season: Southern Summer Pesto on high-protein pasta and green beans with Blueberry Pie yields to Harvest Lasagna and Baked Pears with Cinnamon Yogurt Sauce in autumn. The second half of the book, which is disappointingly devoid of photographs, features breakfast offerings like low-salt Better Blueberry Pancakes, Magic Quiche with Asparagus and homemade "Whisk" breads and tortillas. Dinner recipes are curiously sparse, but those seeking a more healthful approach to cooking will appreciate Watson's family, community and planet-friendly organic lifestyle.
A unique addition to the genre, this sustainable take on everyday meal planning is both practical and contemporary.
