With July’s long days and great weather, it’s a perfect time to consider books that help readers live a greener life in the kitchen, the garden and all around the house. Begin with Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Pollan sums up his book in these words, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Plants bring readers into the garden, where they can read Lisa Taylor’s Your Farm in the City: An Urban Dweller’s Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals. All readers love to dream when they consider houses. The beautiful photographs in Small Eco Houses: Living Green in Style by Cristina Paredes Benitez and Alex Sanchez Vidiella are the stuff that dreams are made of.
-Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
--Available at Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Sq.; 612.543.5425
DRINK
Slip into a red, white or rosé for the month of July. Although there are many wines to celebrate these hot summer days, my favorites come in the color pink. The Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé ($19) from producer Bonny Doon, one of this country’s most innovative organic/biodynamic wine producers, is a fabulous blend of some of the more traditional Rhône Valley varietals (white and red). Produced from the central coast region of California, it is truly a lovely dry pink. Wild strawberry, bright yellow cherry and delicious apple blossom notes make this a perfect accoutrement to any summer salad.
-Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier, owner of Twin Cities-based wine consulting firm Amusée, and everyone’s favorite go-to wine gal. Learn more at amuseewine.com.
--Available at France 44, 4351 France Ave. S.; 612.925.3252; and Edina Liquor ($15.99), 6755 York Ave. S.; 952.903.5730
LISTEN
The Minneapolis/St. Paul-based band Mint Condition has grown into a cohesive unit since earlier days in the Jimmy Jam and Jerry Lewis camps, reaching major national success. They are a band in the truest sense of the word: Every member contributed to this record, bringing in the signature vibe from an exciting live show. In new album 7…, it’s a pleasure to hear classic R&B songs delivered by master musicians and singers. Standouts on the record (which was No. 1 on iTunes in April) are “Ease the Pain” and “Not your Daddy,” featuring Kelly Price and Stokely Williams.
-Paul Peterson is an award-winning local musician and educator. Learn more at paulpeterson.com.
--Available at Best Buy, 3200 Southdale Cir.; 952.925.4425; and on iTunes.
