Article: Our original idea for the...

Our original idea for the cookbook that parallels the story of our hit PBS television cooking series "The Hippy Gourmet," was to create a simple guide to the universe that would chronicle everything from the big-bang all the way up to lunch!

Fortunately however, we found our sweet spot focusing on all of the wondrous exotic locations from around the world, and the food producers and chefs that we have been so blessed to feature on our TV series over the course of the past seven years.

We also wanted to take the time (as we do on our television show) to introduce people to organic, sustainable, fair trade ingredients, and to talk about some of the worlds most colorful people who are making a real difference for a healthier life and planet.

So we decided to write the book in the same way we produce our show, reaching out across a vast media landscape to demonstrate approachable, simple to prepare recipes that brings friends and families together.

Although our national Public Television series does have a definite kind of cult following, for us one of the most important demographics in our audience are those people who never knew there were so many delicious choices in cooking and eating healthy.

We so often receive warm letters and e-mails from people around the world who have had very real epiphanies regarding the way they live, work and interact with people after watching our show.

So it is our intention with our "Hippy Gourmet's Quick and Simple Cookbook for Healthy Eating" that we do our part to take the name "hippie" (or "Hippy") back to its original meaning, which is all about good people rediscovering nature and sharing the bountiful celebration that comes from caring about each other and the world around us.

Our television series, website and cookbook also cover a wide range of topics from alternative energy, electric vehicles, eco-tourism, recycled building materials, composting and so much more! We have made it our absolute mission to film and produce stories and segments that cover the most inventive, fun, positive and proactive ideas that need to be shared.

Our aim is simple: 'Peace, Love and Good Eats,' with the added notion that 'Sustainable is Obtainable,' because who can create on an empty stomach!

Copyright © 2007 by James Ehrlich and Bruce Brennan with Elizabeth Butler-Witter