Obsessions of the Week

I just finished a terrific book and I'm in the middle of another one. Actually, I think, technically, you could say I'm in the middle of three books right now, but that's the way I do things. I almost always have one fiction "brain candy" book going, one nonfiction "make-me-a-better-writer/person" book going, and one book club book going.

The non-fiction selection I've just finished is Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and I am inspired! Not only is BK a terrific writer with an easy style and good sense of humor, she is a go-getter. Don't worry, I'm not moving to Appalachia to start my own farm and live off the land, but I am dedicated to eating more local fare. Lucky for me farmer's markets abound in my region and this week, at least, Spring has sprung.

The fiction book I'm deep in the middle of was one that I thought would qualify as brain candy but has instead turned into a "make-me-a-better-person" book and I simply cannot put it down. Kris Radish (whom I have never heard of before I spotted this hot pink paperback sitting on the shelf at my local used bookstore) has written a novel about a group of women and the incredible bond they share. Prompted by one of the member's personal crisis, they embark on a walk that lasts days and days and acts as a meditation not only for each one of them individually and together, but for the members of their community as well. This is definitely going to be one of those books that I will hate to finish.

Because Bubba is out of town, I decided to try a new dessert. He indulges me all too often in my search for new flavors of ice cream, but he draws the line at sorbet and frozen yogurt. Because I have a sweet tooth the size of a T. Rex, I am always looking for something not quite so fattening and I usually experiment while he is safely on a business trip. While I'm not certain the new dessert I have come across is less fattening, I'm certain I'm glad I don't have to share it with anyone this week. I know that sounds awful, but as I sat on the couch last night, book in hand, towel wrapped around the carton of bliss in my lap savoring each and every mouthful of silky chocolateyness, the thought of taking a bite and then passing it off to anyone was ridiculous. So, you ask, what is this dessert that has inspired such passion? Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss. Ice cream made out of coconut milk (no cow's milk, soy milk, rice milk, no preservatives, no cane sugar) and flavoring. They have several flavors: vanilla, dark chocolate, cherry amaretto, coconut (duh), mint and cappuccino to name a few. So far, I've only indulged in the dark chocolate and, being a total chocolate snob, I can say it is FABULOUS! Creamy, rich, chocolatey, absolutely satisfying. And, it's made in Eugene, Oregon. That qualifies as 'local', doesn't it? Sorta?