SKU: 12940650947

Holy Food (Christina Ward)

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Holy Food (Christina Ward)Does God have a recipe? "Holy Food is a titanic feat of research and a fascinating exploration of American faith and culinary rites. Christina Ward is the perfect guide generous, wise, and ecumenical." Adam Chandler, author of Drive Thru Dreams "Holy Food doesn't just trace the influence that preachers, gurus, and cult leaders have had on American cuisine. It offers a unique look at the ways spiritualitywhether in the form of fringe cults or major

Does God have a recipe?

"Holy Food is a titanic feat of research and a fascinating exploration of American faith and culinary rites. Christina Ward is the perfect guide – generous, wise, and ecumenical." — Adam Chandler, author of Drive-Thru Dreams

"Holy Food doesn't just trace the influence that preachers, gurus, and cult leaders have had on American cuisine. It offers a unique look at the ways spirituality—whether in the form of fringe cults or major religions—has shaped our culture. Christina Ward has gone spelunking into some very odd corners of American history to unearth this fascinating collection of stories and recipes." — Jonathan Kauffmann, author of Hippie Food: How Back-to-the-Landers, Longhairs, and Revolutionaries Changed the Way We Eat

"An engaging book that shares everything from little-known facts to illuminating profiles of historical figures. Best of all, Ward shares recipes from historic religious communities, updated to reflect modern cooking technology. A must-have for food historians, religious historians, or just the curious and hungry folks in your life. " — Dr. Julia Skinner, author of Our Fermented Lives

Independent food historian Christina Ward’s highly anticipated Holy Food explores the influence of mainstream to fringe religious beliefs on modern American food culture. Author Christina Ward unravels the numerous ways religious beliefs intersect with politics and economics and, of course, food to tell a different story of America. It's the story of true believers and charlatans, of idealists and visionaries, and of the everyday people who followed them—often at their peril. Holy Food explains how faith pioneers used societal woes and cultural trends to create new pathways of belief and reveals the interconnectivity between sects and their leaders.

Religious beliefs have been the source of food "rules" since Pythagoras told his followers not to eat beans (they contain souls), Kosher and Halal rules forbade the shrimp cocktail (shellfish are scavengers, or maybe G-d just said "no"). A long-ago Pope forbade Catholics from eating meat on Fridays (fasting to atone for committed sins). Rules about eating are present in nearly every American belief, from high-control groups that ban everything except air to the infamous strawberry shortcake that sated visitors to the Oneida Community in the late 1800s. Only in the United Stateswhere the freedom to worship the God of your choice and sometimes of your own makingcould people embrace new ideas about religion. It is in this over-stirred pot of liberation, revolution, and mysticism that we discover God cares about what you put in your mouth.

Holy Food looks at how the explosion of religious movements since the Great Awakenings (the nationwide religious revivals in the 1730s-40s and 1795-1835) birthed a cottage industry of food fads that gained mainstream acceptance. And at the obscure sects and communities of the 20th Century who dabbled in vague spirituality that used food to both entice and control followers. Ward skillfully navigates between academic studies, interviews, cookbooks, and religious texts to make sharp observations with new insights into American history in this highly readable journey through the American kitchen.

Holy Food features over 75 recipes from religious and communal groups tested and updated for modern cooks. Also includes over 100 historic black-and-white images.


"Ward uses deep-dive research on religious history, and an equally deep knowledge of food, to show us how the two are intimately connected. Not only do we eat and drink within our religious rituals, but religion informs what and how we eat as well (and what and how we eat informs religion, too).  An engaging book that shares everything from little-known facts to illuminating profiles of historical figures. Best of all, Ward shares recipes from historic religious communities, updated to reflect modern cooking technology. A must-have for food historians, religious historians, or just the curious and hungry folks in your life. " --Dr. Julia Skinner, author of Our Fermented Lives

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SKU: 12940650947

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Jennifer Maldonado
Bozeman, US
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Ouch! I paid WHAT for this?
This "eczema cream" contains alcohol. It says you can use it on your face and body. I applied the cream to my face and it burned my eyes. I then read that the ingredients contain alcohol. It did NOT help with my eczema at all. Everyone's skin is different, but I personally was very disappointed especially at $20 for 2oz. that the product ingredients were not soothing, burned my eyes, and dried out my skin more than it already was.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2026
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Effective and simple
Love this cream !!
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Mary C
Omaha, US
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Eczema Relief! Everyday use
Wow. I have been struggling with eczema / red rashes around my eyes on and off for over a year. Its gotten really bad as the cold weather in Chicago has irritated my skin really bad. After one use of this brand, my eyelid skin is already recovering. I tried the ointment first and then the cream version as well. I find the ointment works best overnight for me and the cream is a good morning option, as i do like to wear makeup most days. Im definitely going to start using the cream as part of my everyday skincare routine. My concealer lays over it so perfectly and theres NO patchiness and NO flakes. The ointment and cream of this brand is so good at disguising the dryness and relieving the redness. I can’t believe I didn’t find this sooner its so inexpensive and works so well. I have such sensitive skin and am very hesitant when trying new products. If you’re undecided on this product, give it a try. This is definitely a repeat purchase of mine.
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New York, US
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Dry Eye and Eczema Sufferers - Give This a Try!
If you have Dry Eye Disease/MGD, eczema, or struggle with dry, itchy, or flaky eyelids, this eye cream is for you! I have Dry Eye Disease/MGD, eczema, and ocular rosacea. My eyelids are often red, inflamed, and scaly. I learned about this product from a Facebook support group for dry eye sufferers. It came highly recommended in several posts, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! The cream is slightly thicker than a lotion, but not as thick as an ointment. I apply to both my under eye area and eyelids, morning and evening. A little bit goes a long way! The cream is very soothing. It goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly. Despite having extremely sensitive skin, I have had no allergic reaction. I'm amazed at how quickly the cream has healed the flaky, dry skin on my eyelids. My eyelids are less itchy and sensitive throughout the day. Even better - the cream is affordable. I absolutely it! Game changer for my sensitive, dry eyes! Give it a try!
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heatherfromohio
Battle Creek, US
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Soothing not oily
60 yr old white lady here. Got this for my kid who had irritated eyelids from eczema. After a week he felt done so handed it back to me. Ive been using for 2 months daily wondering if it would be nice. Way better than nice! Not oily at all. Very pleasant soft feeling around my eyes. That feeling lasts all day/all night, too. Something unexpected: reduced my eye bags! Not completely but significantly. Its allergy season so I rub my eyes a lot, usually. This cream is so soothing Im sure I am rubbing less. Delightfully surprised! Made in UK.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026

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