Michelle Obama is making the media rounds this week to promote a new book on her White House gardening experiences.  In "American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America" (phew...long title), the first lady writes of her goal to encourage healthy eating and reduce obesity, particularly in children. The 217-page book, which was released on Tuesday, May 29th is a mix of personal, national and gardening history as well as a diet/nutrition book rolled into one.

In addition to writing about how and why she came to start gardening, Michelle Obama also makes it clear that she is not doing most of the manual labor responsible for the array of vegetables that have been growing in the South lawn since she started the gardening initiative on March 20,2009.  She credits school children and grounds crew for the digging and weeding though she did say in an interview on the daytime talk show the View that she has has done some of the digging.

The book also includes splendid pictures of vegetables as well as Bo, the first family's dog. In an interview with ABC's "Good Mornng America, the first lady said "it (the book) turned out exactly as I envisioned. It's a beautiful book, wonderful pictures." 

This is Michelle Obama's first book. Proceeds of the book will go to the National Park Foundation as well as for upkeep of the White House garden.