Description

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Growing up on a farm in the Austrian Alps and later in Vienna, Nora Pouillon was surrounded by fresh and delicious foods. So when she moved to Washington, D.C., in the 1960s, she was horrified to discover a culinary culture dominated by hormone-bloated meat and unseasonal vegetables. First as a cooking teacher, then as a restaurateur, and eventually as the founder of America’s first certified organic restaurant, Nora redefined what food could be, forging close relationships with local producers and launching initiatives to take the organic movement mainstream. As much the story of America’s postwar culinary history as it is the memoir of a remarkable woman, My Organic Life encompasses the birth of the farm-to-table movement, the proliferation of greenmarkets across the country, and the evolution of the chef into social advocate.

About the Author

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Nora Pouillon was born in Vienna and moved to the United States in the late 1960s. Shocked by the highly processed, preservative-laden foods Americans were eating, she embarked on a crusade to promote a healthier lifestyle, and developed an extensive network of organic and natural farmers in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She opened Restaurant Nora in 1979 with her partners, brothers Thomas and Steven Damato, and worked with local farmers to supply seasonal organic produce. After years of careful sourcing, in 1999 Restaurant Nora became the first certified organic restaurant in the United States. Nora also initiated Washington, D.C.’s first producer-only farmers’ market, FRESHFARM Markets, and she is the recipient of numerous awards, including the first Genesis Award from Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. An IACP Cookbook Awards finalist, Nora is a tireless advocate for nutritionally wholesome food and a sustainable, health-focused lifestyle based on the premise that you are what you eat, drink, and breathe.

Praise For…

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“A tireless advocate of local food systems (not to mention a brilliant chef), Nora Pouillon is one of the pioneers of the Food Movement.” —Michael Pollan

“The story behind the woman who helped make healthy eating cool. . . . Pouillon writes with sometimes startling candor. . . . When you finish the book, you will have a vivid sense of a frank and determined woman who has helped change the way we eat.” —The Washington Post

“Nora’s wonderful story closely parallels the important rise of organic food in our country.” —Tom Colicchio
 
“[A] revealing and entertaining memoir from the godmother of the organic food movement. . . . A tale every working mother should read.” —Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation

“A delicious journey of food memories. . . . Nora’s drive, dedication, and passion about whole, organic foods has fueled a much needed movement.” —Carla Hall, co-host of ABC’s The Chew and author of Carla’s Comfort Foods: Favorite Dishes from Around the World
 
“Reading Nora Pouillon’s riveting memoir is like eating in her restaurant: a feast for the senses.” —Howard Schultz, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Starbucks Coffee Company
 
“The story of a natural-born problem solver working to build a small enterprise before there was talk of startups or woman-owned businesses. . . . Brave but also poignant.” —Washingtonian Magazine
 
“Candid. . . . [Nora] raised the consciousness of Americans about the quality of food.” —Andrew Weil
 
“Nora’s compelling life story of how she changed our food system takes us back to the origins of [the] sustainable food movement. She’s not only a thought-provoking chef, but a great writer.” — Nicolas Jammet, co-founder of sweetgreen
 
“[A] charming and flavorful memoir. . . . Reading this informative and inspiring memoir is like sitting down to a delicious, healthy meal with a good friend.” —BookPage
 
“Riveting. . . . A very personal history of the evolution of the local and organic food movements.” —Organic Spa Magazine
 
“Learn firsthand what has happened to our food and health, and what one can and must do to be part of the solution. I want everyone I know to read this book.” —Ashley Koff RD, author of Mom Energy 
 
“Sparkling. . . . An inspiring account and great fun to read. . . . Pouillon’s story is also a feminist one, showing a woman with young children dealing with a failed marriage, working successfully in a male-dominated business and helping other women to succeed in it.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“Pouillon is a revolutionary and a vital presence in our modern food culture.” —Laura Batcha, Executive Director/CEO, Organic Trade Association
 
“Flavors, scents and textures come alive on the page.” —Acres Magazine
 
“With verve, honesty, and refreshing modesty, each page celebrates a zest for life.” —John Fahey, Chairman, National Geographic Society
 
“The remarkable tale of where good food really began. . . . Nora created a food revolution in her kitchen.” —Eric Kessler, Trustee, James Beard Foundation and Co-Founder, Chef Action Network