Nutrition is something we all want to work on, but one of the hardest parts is knowing how to prepare it. Is it ripe? Is it ready? Is it even edible? Diana Currier–McInnes is on a mission to change that with her first book called “Simply Produce.”
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| The former Children's Room Coordinator at the Windham Public Library, Diana Currier-McInnes, has published her first book called "Simply Produce." It offers essential cooking methods for vegetables and the best ways to freeze fruits. COURTESY PHOTO |
“It all started during COVID,” says Currier–McInnes. “I’ve been compiling the information for years and I said it’s either now or never. I took my information from a vast number of reputable books and sources and organized it into a simple, very easy to read guide. I wanted it to be very straight forward for people, because most people are too busy and want a quick answer right away. My goal was to keep it as short and sweet as possible with a lot of good and valuable information.”
Currier-McInnes is the former Children’s Room Coordinator at the Windham Public Library.
Inside “Simply Produce,” readers will discover essential cooking methods for vegetables and learn how to freeze fruits for long-term enjoyment. Seasonal availability charts help you make the most of nature's bounty year-round, while lists of organic and conventional options empower you to make informed choices. Fun tips and intriguing facts add an extra layer of fascination to your culinary adventures. This book will teach you how to select fresh quality vegetables and fruits, store the items properly to maximize shelf-life which includes the process of ripening fruits, options for cutting and preparing produce, and basic cooking instructions for vegetables and freezing methods for fruits.
“Simply Produce is your ultimate guide to selecting, storing, and savoring an array of 77 fresh vegetables and fruits,” says Currier-McInnes. “This user-friendly book, complete with vivid full-color photographs, puts the power of nutritious and delicious eating squarely in your hands.
This book simplifies the art of selection and preparation. With easy-to-follow steps and straightforward techniques, you'll gain mastery over the lifecycle of your favorite produce, ensuring peak flavor, optimal nutrition, and extended shelf life.”
Currier-McInnes knew right from the start that this book was going to be the first of many, a series Spark Health 360.
“I think this is a great way to start for anybody who wants to eat more fruits and vegetables. How do I do that? What does that mean? I want people to use this book for themselves to see that, ‘oh this isn’t so bad; alright, this is how you buy avocados, this is how you prepare bok choy’. I want to make people’s lives as easy as possible. I want to help them help themselves”, says Currier-McInnes.
She is currently working on her second book and there will be 10 books altogether, which will include all the other whole foods, such as grains, nuts, soy products, salts, oils.
“How do you buy them? Which ones are the good ones? Which ones should you stay away from? There are so many ‘wow’ moments that I’ve learned, and I can’t wait to share them with people to educate them,” Currier-McInnes says.
She aims to encourage and empower people to take care of themselves through her writing.
Food is not only about the health aspect, it is to be enjoyed as well, which is why Currier-McInnes is also taking this from a culinary perspective.
“It’s going to be delicious and nutritious,” she says.
But not everybody is ready to take this route, says Currier-McInnes.
“You can’t force something on someone; it’s more important that people take charge of their own lives and start enjoying their food more,” she says.
The “Simply Produce” book is available and can be purchased at all nine Sherman’s Maine Coast Bookshops. <
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