When I was young, I lived on a farm with my European parents who brought many of their old-country ways with them. Composting, burning paper products, exchanging our produce with other farmers for meat and dairy—these everyday habits meant my mother’s grocery bill was about $20 a week to feed eight people. At the time, my siblings and I thought they were hopelessly out of touch with modern life and felt embarrassed by their homegrown ways. But as in all things, history repeats itself. Now, decades later, I find myself doing many of the same things… and suddenly, it’s on trend.
That sense of coming full circle is exactly what Good Food, Healthy Planet: Your Kitchen Companion to Simple, Practical, Sustainable Cooking by Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma captures so beautifully. This is not a preachy sustainability manual or a chefy cookbook meant to intimidate. Instead, it feels like a wise, encouraging friend standing beside you in the kitchen, reminding you that good food doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or wasteful. https://puneeta.ca/
From the first pages, Chhitwal-Varma grounds her philosophy in practicality. Sustainability here isn’t an abstract ideal; it’s a series of small, achievable choices. Thoughtful meal planning, using what you already have, reducing food waste, and cooking seasonally are woven seamlessly into the recipes and tips. Much like my parents’ quiet, frugal systems on the farm, the book shows how mindful cooking naturally leads to healthier meals and a lighter footprint—without ever feeling like sacrifice.
What truly elevates this book as a foodie read is that flavor is never an afterthought. The recipes are approachable yet vibrant, designed for real life and real kitchens. There’s a comforting emphasis on pantry staples, clever leftovers, and flexible formulas rather than rigid rules. You’re encouraged to adapt, substitute, and trust your instincts—an empowering approach that mirrors the way sustainable habits actually stick.
I especially appreciated how Chhitwal-Varma connects food choices to larger systems without overwhelming the reader. You don’t need to live on a farm or grow all your own food to make a difference. Whether it’s choosing whole ingredients, cooking more at home, or simply learning to love your leftovers, the book gently reframes sustainability as something intimate and deeply personal.
I love dukkah seasoning but its so hard to find it already made for you. In steps Puneeta with her Dukkah-Inspired Nutty Seasoning Blend found in our Recipe section. Dukkah (pronounced “doo-kah”) is an Egyptian and Middle Eastern condiment made from a coarse blend of nuts, seeds, and spices. The name comes from the Arabic word meaning “to crush” or “to pound,” reflecting its preparation method using a mortar and pestle.
Reading Good Food, Healthy Planet stirred a surprising nostalgia in me. The practices I once rolled my eyes at—composting scraps, cooking from scratch, valuing simplicity—are now celebrated as forward-thinking and responsible. This book validates that shift while offering modern guidance for today’s busy, eco-aware home cooks. Purchase Puneeta’s book on her website at https://puneeta.ca/ or https://mapleandmarigold.com/ – you can also win a copy in our Giveaway section.
Ultimately, this is a kitchen companion in the truest sense. It doesn’t demand perfection; it invites intention. If you care about flavor, health, and the planet—and if you’re curious about reconnecting with timeless kitchen wisdom through a modern lens—Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma’s book is well worth a place on your counter, splattered with sauce and well loved.
Contents and images used with permission by Touchwood Editions. https://touchwoodeditions.com/products/good-food-healthy-planet