When health issues made Gill think about her diet and the quality of the food we eat, she realised the importance of biodynamically grown food for nurturing our souls and spirits as well as physical bodies

“The quality of food eaten by parents before they have children, and that eaten by young children, has a big effect on their physical, emotional and spiritual health.”

Gill Bacchus is known by many in the biodynamic community and is back with a new, parent-friendly book called Love Your Veges. Not only is the book packed with information on the theoretical aspects of biodynamic/ organically grown food, but she includes practical tips for those of us wanting our children to love their veges. Included are suggestions for getting the kids involved by starting their own garden, and tips on how to apply certain biodynamic methods in your own backyard.

This is a wonderfully illustrated and easy to read guide for those of us wanting to learn more about the holistic nutrition associated with a good diet and why fresh produce is the best. For those with children, who may struggle to get a wide variety of vegetables into the children every day, Gill has a range of activities and snack ideas that could convert even the fussiest eaters to vegetables.

For those wanting more in-depth knowledge about the energetic and nutritional properties of their food, Gill provides ample information in a way that is clear and easy to read. I found the section “Are You Eating Sufficient Light Energy?” particularly illuminating. Did you know that this refers not only to the amount of actual sunlight that shines on the plant, but also that the absorption of light is affected by the type of soil the plant is grown in? The biodynamic silica spray contributes to light absorption and therefore enhances the light energy in vegetables. Facts such as these are backed up by scientific evidence, and Gill’s experience as a soil scientist is evident, as she weaves empirical research throughout the book. There is a substantial reference list at the back for those who wish to broaden their knowledge of the topics included.

For those new to biodynamics, this book is an easy and essential read. For those more knowledgeable amongst the biodynamic community, the reference list and nutritional information about produce will be of great interest.

No matter how healthy we are, it never hurts to learn more about the nutritional aspects of our food and find new ways to enhance our food’s life-giving properties.