Last month, New York City blogger Cathy Erway stretched her story beyond the computer screen.  Her new book, “The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove” (Gotham, 2010) is a continuation of her blog, Not Eating Out in New York, which chronicles the urbanite’s efforts to forgo dining at any of the city’s overpriced, overrun restaurants.

Part life story, part cookbook, this 320-page manifesto introduces us to a twenty-something who’s just plain ready to stir things up–and not just in the kitchen.  In between the drama of relationships and a nine-to-five career, Erway finds the time to kick start her own culinary experimentation.  From foraging for edible greens in Prospect Park to dumpster-diving, she scours the Big Apple for smart, savvy eating-in options and along the way also indulges in underground supper clubs and a bevy of cook-offs.  A refreshing take on the foodie lifestyle, Erway also peels back the layers of consumption so often associated with dining out. In one instance, she weighs the waste accompanying a Chinese takeout meal versus the home cooked version, giving readers a glimpse into the world of mass disposables.

A light, but thought-provoking read, Erway mulls concepts like freeganism and provides her insights on living a practical, more eco-friendly life.  In this story, it’s the people and the passion of cooking that make the gourmand, not the pricey atmosphere or celebrity chefs.  And while I’m hardly a cook, I have to agree.  Settling down to finish the hardcover I found myself motivated to pull out the pots and pans so deeply packed away in my cupboards.  After all, at the end of the day, eating in is a healthy choice for every individual, as well as the planet.  And as Erway proves, there’s a connection worth investigation that forms when we boil our own water, mix our own ingredients, and heat our own stove.

Find a copy at Amazon;  $24.