Book excerpt: Through her daughter's illness, Wendy Cook began to study the deep aspects of nutrition, and particularly the effects of different foods on human health and consciousness. In Foodwise she presents a cornucopia of ideas, advice and commentary, informed by the work of Rudolf Steiner. Cook relates human evolution to changes in consciousness and the consumption of different foods, considering among other topics the importance of agricultural methods, the nature of the human being, the significance of grasses and grains, the mystery of human digestion and the question of vegetarianism. She also analyzes the nutritional (or otherwise) qualities of carbohydrates, minerals, fats and oils, milk and dairy products, herbs and spices, salt and sweeteners, stimulants, legumes, the nightshade family, bread, water and dietary supplements. She ends this comprehensive survey of nutrition with practical tips on cooking, planning menus, children's food and sharing meals--and some mouth-watering recipes!