| List Price: | |
| Price: | $15.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details... |
| You Save: | $0.00(0.00%) |
| Binding: | Kindle Edition |
| EAN: | |
| Feature: | |
| Label: | Rodale |
| Publisher: | Rodale |
| Studio: | Rodale |
| Tags: | kind diet simple guide feeling great losing weight saving planet |
Editorial Reviews
In The Kind Diet, actress, activist, and committed conservationist Alicia Silverstone shares the insights that encouraged her to swear off meat and dairy forever, and outlines the spectacular benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, from effortless weight loss to clear skin, off-the-chart energy, and smooth digestion. She explains how meat, fish, milk, and cheese—the very foods we’ve been taught to regard as the cornerstone of good nutrition—are actually the culprits behind escalating rates of disease and the cause of dire, potentially permanent damage to our ecology.
Yet going meat- and dairy-free doesn’t mean suffering deprivation; to the contrary, The Kind Diet introduces irresistibly delicious food that satisfies on every level—it even includes amazing desserts to keep the most stubborn sweet tooth happy. Alicia also addresses the nutritional concerns faced by many who are new to a plant-based diet, and shows how to cover every nutritional base, from protein to calcium and beyond.
Alicia knows that changing life-long dietary habits is a process, and that each person progresses at a different pace. For that reason, The Kind Diet encompasses 3 separate levels, from Flirting to Superhero. Flirts learn to dip a toe into the vegan pool, reducing their meat-eating and swapping out a few key foods for plant-based substitutes to see quickly how even small changes can reap big results. Vegans get to experience the life-altering effects of forgoing animal-products entirely, while still enjoying many convenience foods and meat substitutes in addition to the wonderful grains, vegetables and fruits that form the core of that diet. True enlightenment comes with the Superhero program, based on the principles of macrobiotics and built on a foundation of whole grains, vegetables, and other yummy foods that Alicia describes in detail.
Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds, boost your energy and metabolism, or simply save the world, Alicia provides the encouragement, the information, and the tools you need to make the transition to a plant-based diet deliciously empowering.
Yet going meat- and dairy-free doesn’t mean suffering deprivation; to the contrary, The Kind Diet introduces irresistibly delicious food that satisfies on every level—it even includes amazing desserts to keep the most stubborn sweet tooth happy. Alicia also addresses the nutritional concerns faced by many who are new to a plant-based diet, and shows how to cover every nutritional base, from protein to calcium and beyond.
Alicia knows that changing life-long dietary habits is a process, and that each person progresses at a different pace. For that reason, The Kind Diet encompasses 3 separate levels, from Flirting to Superhero. Flirts learn to dip a toe into the vegan pool, reducing their meat-eating and swapping out a few key foods for plant-based substitutes to see quickly how even small changes can reap big results. Vegans get to experience the life-altering effects of forgoing animal-products entirely, while still enjoying many convenience foods and meat substitutes in addition to the wonderful grains, vegetables and fruits that form the core of that diet. True enlightenment comes with the Superhero program, based on the principles of macrobiotics and built on a foundation of whole grains, vegetables, and other yummy foods that Alicia describes in detail.
Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds, boost your energy and metabolism, or simply save the world, Alicia provides the encouragement, the information, and the tools you need to make the transition to a plant-based diet deliciously empowering.
Related Reviews
The title: The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet, by Alicia Silverstone, says it all. The plant-based diet, according to Silverstone (and a few doctors quoted) will improve your health, help prevent disease, improve the environment and help you lose weight.
The book begins with Silverstone's personal story. It includes her early attempts at not eating meat, and an unhealthy period when she ate only raw foods.
Then the book discusses the "nasty foods"--meat, dairy, white sugar and processed foods. We learn the many reasons these foods are unhealthy, bad for the planet and bad for animal's welfare.
Next, we learn what the "kind foos" are--notably, whole grains, new proteins, veggies and healthy desserts.
There is a chapter on nutritional FAQ's.
Silverstone gets we are not all ready for a vegan diet, especially if we are used to a diet heavy in meats, dairy and processed foods. So, she presents three levels: flirting, vegan and superhero.
In flirting, she makes recommendations like: go to a vegetarian restaurant and order a dish, buy some vegan products from her "Transitional food chart", and simply recommends we start adding vegan meals into our diets.
In vegan, she presents a plan on how to build a meal and a vegan meal plan.
Finally, the superhero level is loosely based on the macrobiotic diet (minus fish,) and features fresh, local and seasonal fare.
Silverstone adds helpful tips, like chew your food really well, what to do about detoxing and cravings and more.
There is a chapter on tips when away from home.
Lifestyle tips is a very short chapter, mentioning things like the importance of reusing and buying secondhand. I would recommend HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to learn how to make your entire home green and beautiful for optimal health and it also describes how to eat healthy with recipes and cooking/shopping tips.
The book concludes with fantastic looking recipes (I'm a pretty good cook, I can always tell.) They recipes are divided into vegan and superhero.
Even if you are not committed to a full time vegan diet, I highly recommend this book--just start with the flirting and see where it takes you. If you do get into the vegan lifestyle, know that there are lots of good cookbooks out there to help.
The book begins with Silverstone's personal story. It includes her early attempts at not eating meat, and an unhealthy period when she ate only raw foods.
Then the book discusses the "nasty foods"--meat, dairy, white sugar and processed foods. We learn the many reasons these foods are unhealthy, bad for the planet and bad for animal's welfare.
Next, we learn what the "kind foos" are--notably, whole grains, new proteins, veggies and healthy desserts.
There is a chapter on nutritional FAQ's.
Silverstone gets we are not all ready for a vegan diet, especially if we are used to a diet heavy in meats, dairy and processed foods. So, she presents three levels: flirting, vegan and superhero.
In flirting, she makes recommendations like: go to a vegetarian restaurant and order a dish, buy some vegan products from her "Transitional food chart", and simply recommends we start adding vegan meals into our diets.
In vegan, she presents a plan on how to build a meal and a vegan meal plan.
Finally, the superhero level is loosely based on the macrobiotic diet (minus fish,) and features fresh, local and seasonal fare.
Silverstone adds helpful tips, like chew your food really well, what to do about detoxing and cravings and more.
There is a chapter on tips when away from home.
Lifestyle tips is a very short chapter, mentioning things like the importance of reusing and buying secondhand. I would recommend HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to learn how to make your entire home green and beautiful for optimal health and it also describes how to eat healthy with recipes and cooking/shopping tips.
The book concludes with fantastic looking recipes (I'm a pretty good cook, I can always tell.) They recipes are divided into vegan and superhero.
Even if you are not committed to a full time vegan diet, I highly recommend this book--just start with the flirting and see where it takes you. If you do get into the vegan lifestyle, know that there are lots of good cookbooks out there to help.
A good read but the recipes need a lot of help
I enjoyed reading The Kind Diet. It was an easy read. I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the vegan diet, the process by which one becomes vegan, and the various meal plans depending on which stage you're in. I've been Vegan for 3 months now so it was a great Christmas gift for me. Since buying the book I've tried numerous recipes and unfortunately most of them have disappointed me. The Daikon Rounds were ridiculously sweet, and the water measurement was way off. The Radicchio pizza was extremely bitter. Instead, it needed a little radicchio and a lot of something else. The porridge recipe, again the ratio of water to rice is way off. After cooking it exactly as directed there was still a lot of water left in the pot. I did however lower the ratio and the dish came out nicely. I've found most of the recipes have extreme flavors- very very sweet, very sour, or very bitter. It's been harsh on the palate. There are some winners though. My kids like the Crocodile Crunch and the Mochi Waffles. The cheesecake tasted like a lump of soy. I'm wondering if the author tasted all of these recipes before she decided to put them in her book. They all looked delicious. Very disappointing. I've made other recipes from Veganomicon and The Conscious Cook and so far I've loved every one of them.
I received my book yesterday afternoon and read chapters 1 thru 9 last night. It was insightful and finding out what it takes to keep animals in stock for food, and what happens to male calfs (they become veal) and their few months on the planet vs. what happens to girl calfs becoming milkers, and the mom being shot up with hormones to produce endless milk is madness. There are many systems in this world that are cruel and just dont make sense. This morning I went through starbucks and ordered a green tea instead of decaffeinated coffee. ALicia's book helped me to start questioning "what is next" down the line. Okay, so I have my green tea, but now I have a papercup, if I purchased a reusable cup and rinsed it out and let it air dry, then my carbon foot print will be reduced by 365 cups a year.
I cooked the last of the ground turkey last night and had it for supper, Alicia recommends either giving it away or finishing what you have, no waste! I also baked a lot of brussel sprouts with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper and that should last the remainder of the week. Tonight, I make the grains that Alicia talked about - for protein, and this morning I brought in a tomato and avocado for morning. Which is better than having nothing for breakfast, my normal routine. But ohhh, someone brought in donuts this morning. But I feel good. Because now that I know what processed sugars will do, it makes it easier. ONly because I now understand the effect white sugar has on my body. I cant give up lemonade for now, eventually yes, but this being my first day - I'm going to wean into this gradually.
The point is, whether it was Alicia or someone else, find the right book for you that has a message written so that you can understand. WHat I gained from this book is that I really am affected by a system much larger than myself (processed foods, cows and hormones, dirty places that kill animals, would I trade places with an animal for a day? No, the affect sugar has on my body, how my bones give up nutrients to help break down what I eat - the process itself contributing to osteoperosis).
For me, this book broke it down, and the recipes look simple. My family lives in the four corners area and I just visited them for Christmas, I perused Safeways and Smiths while I was there and I am happy to say that the standard of living in northern New Mexico will not inhibit my new diet when I visit next year.
One other thing I want to say is I've been concerned with my diet for a long time. I've wanted to incorporate being a vegetarian into my life for a long time. In the past, I didnt know what to read or where to start. When I went to bookstores, there are plenty of Vegetarian/Vegan books, but they were mass volume encyclopedias (really thick vegetarian books) and its overwhelming because I want to start now, not in 3 months and I never wanted to invest money and time in a food encyclopedia. This book is simple, and now I know what questions to ask. Im a beginner, I'm peeking around the curtain, and this is an easy read, and for me, this answered basic questions. Like what is Quoina (?) and why would I want to eat it, what nutrition does it offer me? I thought it was just a carb. Alicia's book encourages one to go slow, and not to stick to an "ideal" - meaning dont beat myself up if Im not perfect in my first steps towards becoming vegetarian. So Im going to do the best I can, and be patient, and if I feel like faltering as myself "what is available to me now or within 5 minutes, that is a better alternative to _____ (eating meat, eating a donut, etc.)? If its an apple that a coworker offers to tide me over for 30 minutes until I get something substantial, thats an alternative. Wish me luck and good luck to you!
Thank you.
I cooked the last of the ground turkey last night and had it for supper, Alicia recommends either giving it away or finishing what you have, no waste! I also baked a lot of brussel sprouts with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper and that should last the remainder of the week. Tonight, I make the grains that Alicia talked about - for protein, and this morning I brought in a tomato and avocado for morning. Which is better than having nothing for breakfast, my normal routine. But ohhh, someone brought in donuts this morning. But I feel good. Because now that I know what processed sugars will do, it makes it easier. ONly because I now understand the effect white sugar has on my body. I cant give up lemonade for now, eventually yes, but this being my first day - I'm going to wean into this gradually.
The point is, whether it was Alicia or someone else, find the right book for you that has a message written so that you can understand. WHat I gained from this book is that I really am affected by a system much larger than myself (processed foods, cows and hormones, dirty places that kill animals, would I trade places with an animal for a day? No, the affect sugar has on my body, how my bones give up nutrients to help break down what I eat - the process itself contributing to osteoperosis).
For me, this book broke it down, and the recipes look simple. My family lives in the four corners area and I just visited them for Christmas, I perused Safeways and Smiths while I was there and I am happy to say that the standard of living in northern New Mexico will not inhibit my new diet when I visit next year.
One other thing I want to say is I've been concerned with my diet for a long time. I've wanted to incorporate being a vegetarian into my life for a long time. In the past, I didnt know what to read or where to start. When I went to bookstores, there are plenty of Vegetarian/Vegan books, but they were mass volume encyclopedias (really thick vegetarian books) and its overwhelming because I want to start now, not in 3 months and I never wanted to invest money and time in a food encyclopedia. This book is simple, and now I know what questions to ask. Im a beginner, I'm peeking around the curtain, and this is an easy read, and for me, this answered basic questions. Like what is Quoina (?) and why would I want to eat it, what nutrition does it offer me? I thought it was just a carb. Alicia's book encourages one to go slow, and not to stick to an "ideal" - meaning dont beat myself up if Im not perfect in my first steps towards becoming vegetarian. So Im going to do the best I can, and be patient, and if I feel like faltering as myself "what is available to me now or within 5 minutes, that is a better alternative to _____ (eating meat, eating a donut, etc.)? If its an apple that a coworker offers to tide me over for 30 minutes until I get something substantial, thats an alternative. Wish me luck and good luck to you!
Thank you.
Good for some, not practical for me
I was excited to get this book, but when I started looking at the ingredients in the recipes, I decided it was NOT the book for me.
lotus root rounds
daikon rounds
shoyu
unflavored mochi
jijiki
mirin
burdock
hemp seeds
umeboshi vinegar
dandelion
brown rice mochi
mellow white miso
dried wakame
fennel bulb
umeboshi plum paste
I could go on and on........I just pulled those from random recipes.
If you want to constantly be buying rare ingredients, it might be worth it for you...but I think it would not be very practical for me because I live in a remote area and my local stores do not carry these things.
People who love this book may disagree, but for my family and the practicality of our limited grocery selections, I am returning this book.
lotus root rounds
daikon rounds
shoyu
unflavored mochi
jijiki
mirin
burdock
hemp seeds
umeboshi vinegar
dandelion
brown rice mochi
mellow white miso
dried wakame
fennel bulb
umeboshi plum paste
I could go on and on........I just pulled those from random recipes.
If you want to constantly be buying rare ingredients, it might be worth it for you...but I think it would not be very practical for me because I live in a remote area and my local stores do not carry these things.
People who love this book may disagree, but for my family and the practicality of our limited grocery selections, I am returning this book.
I see its appeal, but you're buying celebrity....
I understand why this book is a bestseller;
1) its written by a cute celebrity
2) its written in a language the would appeal to a female demographic of teens through twenties that are not serious enough learn or research vegan / vegetarian cooking, but open enough to follow a new fad (I have never seen another cookbook with a section dedicated to pictures of cute male vegans) and,
3) it inspires the move to veganism in a trendy rich mall-chick kind of way.
The preface of the book is written by Sir Paul McCartney. He's vegetarian, not vegan. An inspiration for vegetarianism, but not really veganism...
She occasionally references a few physicians, but its not enough to validate some of her claims in the first half of the book.
As far as the "exotic" ingredients. I love the challenge of finding new foods and am forever buying the ingredients online. Umeboshi plums are my next find, but like a lot of ingredients, when you can't get them readily, you buy in bulk and unless you plan on eating umeboshi plums for a week straight, they may go rank before you ever cook with them after one or two times. (I have a block of miso and tamarid paste cultivating a lifestlye in my refrigerator)
She also condradicts herself; in one section she writes about cutting out alcohol and in the next, she talks about sucking on Umeboshi to reduce her hangover. She also suggests having beer or saki for menstrual discomfort. The whole book was written to inspire vegan lifestyle, but she admits that she will eat a piece of meat or pudding off her friends plate if she gets a craving. (At least she is honest about it)
Without a doubt, there are better, serious and more informative vegan / vegetarian books out there. (Vegan with a Vengence, Veganomicon, Garden of Vegan, Dolce Vegan, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Christina Cooks... the list goes on and on). These books make the same anti-meat claims, but contain a huge variety of recipes that contain ingredients available at any health-food or grocery store.
If this book was written by someone without the celebrity status, it would probably not sell as well because the recipes require an immense amount of forethought and planning to acquire some of the ingredients and there are too few recipes.
Roasted lotus root anyone?
1) its written by a cute celebrity
2) its written in a language the would appeal to a female demographic of teens through twenties that are not serious enough learn or research vegan / vegetarian cooking, but open enough to follow a new fad (I have never seen another cookbook with a section dedicated to pictures of cute male vegans) and,
3) it inspires the move to veganism in a trendy rich mall-chick kind of way.
The preface of the book is written by Sir Paul McCartney. He's vegetarian, not vegan. An inspiration for vegetarianism, but not really veganism...
She occasionally references a few physicians, but its not enough to validate some of her claims in the first half of the book.
As far as the "exotic" ingredients. I love the challenge of finding new foods and am forever buying the ingredients online. Umeboshi plums are my next find, but like a lot of ingredients, when you can't get them readily, you buy in bulk and unless you plan on eating umeboshi plums for a week straight, they may go rank before you ever cook with them after one or two times. (I have a block of miso and tamarid paste cultivating a lifestlye in my refrigerator)
She also condradicts herself; in one section she writes about cutting out alcohol and in the next, she talks about sucking on Umeboshi to reduce her hangover. She also suggests having beer or saki for menstrual discomfort. The whole book was written to inspire vegan lifestyle, but she admits that she will eat a piece of meat or pudding off her friends plate if she gets a craving. (At least she is honest about it)
Without a doubt, there are better, serious and more informative vegan / vegetarian books out there. (Vegan with a Vengence, Veganomicon, Garden of Vegan, Dolce Vegan, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Christina Cooks... the list goes on and on). These books make the same anti-meat claims, but contain a huge variety of recipes that contain ingredients available at any health-food or grocery store.
If this book was written by someone without the celebrity status, it would probably not sell as well because the recipes require an immense amount of forethought and planning to acquire some of the ingredients and there are too few recipes.
Roasted lotus root anyone?
It may sound like hyperbole, but this book has really been life-changing.
I've been a vegetarian, for ethical reasons, for several years. Additionally, I am a staunch believer in animal rights and try to always buy from PETA approved, cruelty-free manufacturers. So I've known for a long while that, despite my love of cheese, ice cream and eggs, I would have to give up dairy in order for my lifestyle to align fully with my principles.
I received a copy of Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet for my birthday this past November and have never looked back. Reading the text, written in an approachable, no-nonsense style, made the decision seem so obvious and the recipes made the change effortless. While I have many vegan cookbooks (and I love them all), it was Silverstone's "Superhero" (aka macrobiotic) recipes that truly changed the way I relate to food. At first, it's hard to believe her superlatives (everything is "yummy" or "nourishing" or "energizing") but, once you start cooking - darn, if she isn't right every time.
Believe me, I was skeptical when I purchased my first pack of mochi (pg 236), a hard, plastic-like block of cooked sweet brown rice, but once I sliced and pan-fried it as instructed, it was sticky, sweet and delish. Drizzled with a bit of the recommended brown rice syrup, this stuff is better than French toast. I swear! And when I was slicing the burdock root for stew called Kinpira (pg 272) the strange astringent smell it gave off actually scared me a bit, but once it had been sauteed in the sesame oil with the carrots, it was truly amazing. There's so much here to love. I've enjoyed the simple steamed baby bok choy (with ume plum vinaigrette), the azuki bean stew, Sicilian collard greens and sweet brown rice porridge. And I've only just begun!
The reason this is such a revelation to me is that I own an older macrobiotic cookbook by Lima Ohsawa and it isn't particularly user friendly. The ingredients seemed very foreign and the recipes weren't made to be appetizing, but more like a medicinal prescription. The Kind Diet, with its gorgeous photography and the author's friendly, colloquial encouragement, make macrobiotics, and many of the same recipes, incidentally, much more appealing for a Western audience.
This book made going vegan (not to mention giving up nearly all pre-packaged foods and white sugar/flour), for both me and my hithertofore omnivore spouse, a breeze. Not only do we feel good that we are no longer supporting factory farming, but we feel healthier and more energetic. As an added bonus, his borderline cholesterol dropped 25 points in three months! It's true.
For anyone looking to improve their health (or the health of the planet) through dietary changes, any ethical vegetarian seeking to make the leap to veganism or any fan of the lovely, talented, adorable [and kindly] Ms. Silverstone...this book is a must.
I've been a vegetarian, for ethical reasons, for several years. Additionally, I am a staunch believer in animal rights and try to always buy from PETA approved, cruelty-free manufacturers. So I've known for a long while that, despite my love of cheese, ice cream and eggs, I would have to give up dairy in order for my lifestyle to align fully with my principles.
I received a copy of Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet for my birthday this past November and have never looked back. Reading the text, written in an approachable, no-nonsense style, made the decision seem so obvious and the recipes made the change effortless. While I have many vegan cookbooks (and I love them all), it was Silverstone's "Superhero" (aka macrobiotic) recipes that truly changed the way I relate to food. At first, it's hard to believe her superlatives (everything is "yummy" or "nourishing" or "energizing") but, once you start cooking - darn, if she isn't right every time.
Believe me, I was skeptical when I purchased my first pack of mochi (pg 236), a hard, plastic-like block of cooked sweet brown rice, but once I sliced and pan-fried it as instructed, it was sticky, sweet and delish. Drizzled with a bit of the recommended brown rice syrup, this stuff is better than French toast. I swear! And when I was slicing the burdock root for stew called Kinpira (pg 272) the strange astringent smell it gave off actually scared me a bit, but once it had been sauteed in the sesame oil with the carrots, it was truly amazing. There's so much here to love. I've enjoyed the simple steamed baby bok choy (with ume plum vinaigrette), the azuki bean stew, Sicilian collard greens and sweet brown rice porridge. And I've only just begun!
The reason this is such a revelation to me is that I own an older macrobiotic cookbook by Lima Ohsawa and it isn't particularly user friendly. The ingredients seemed very foreign and the recipes weren't made to be appetizing, but more like a medicinal prescription. The Kind Diet, with its gorgeous photography and the author's friendly, colloquial encouragement, make macrobiotics, and many of the same recipes, incidentally, much more appealing for a Western audience.
This book made going vegan (not to mention giving up nearly all pre-packaged foods and white sugar/flour), for both me and my hithertofore omnivore spouse, a breeze. Not only do we feel good that we are no longer supporting factory farming, but we feel healthier and more energetic. As an added bonus, his borderline cholesterol dropped 25 points in three months! It's true.
For anyone looking to improve their health (or the health of the planet) through dietary changes, any ethical vegetarian seeking to make the leap to veganism or any fan of the lovely, talented, adorable [and kindly] Ms. Silverstone...this book is a must.
Think twice before buying this book...
If you are already strictly vegan and don't have the means to purchase expensive, hard-to-find ingredients, think twice before buying this book. There is no "new" information in the introduction that can't be found in numerous other vegan handbooks, and her recipes are impossible. I tried one recipe, the peanut butter cups, and they were a hit, but didn't set up well and the measurements were off.
If you are interested in veganism, I recommend "The Vegan Handbook" which provides more information, easier to follow and find recipes, and actual scientific information. It may not have pictures of a Hollywood starlet, but it will give you reliable, better written, and important information than Silverstone provided.
If you are interested in veganism, I recommend "The Vegan Handbook" which provides more information, easier to follow and find recipes, and actual scientific information. It may not have pictures of a Hollywood starlet, but it will give you reliable, better written, and important information than Silverstone provided.
This book has changed my life completely. The information is fabulous if you are willing to listen to what is being presented. The recipes are delicious. My health is improving dramatically and I can tell when I eat something I should not. This book is definitely one of my best purchases.
I applaud her efforts, but there are some problems here
I was thrilled when I got the book and read it in one sitting. I made a list of recipes I wanted to try, and made three this morning. Here's my review of them: the whole wheat biscuits were dry and crumbly, they fell apart when they were cut in half. The "egg" salad was good, but too much onion, which I think is the case with a few other recipes. That is easy to adjust based on personal taste, though. There were HUGH problems with the corn bread recipe. First off, a cup of maple syrup, are you kidding? That plus 1 1/4 cups of soy mild was WAY too much liquid compared to the flour; even a novice baker could see that. However I followed the recipe at first so I could accurately review it. Also called for baking soda, but then in the notes to the recipe she said make sure your baking powder is fresh, here's how to test your baking powder...so which is it, soda or powder. (I used powder, and did not get fluffy muffins, which may be ok...I also used corn flour instead of meal which does give a lighter product then corn meal). Anyway, once I added the flour I had soup, which I knew I would based on all the liquid, so I doubled the amount of flour, keeping the baking powder the same, and got batter the consistency I expected).
I also have to sort agree with part of the snarky negative review below, about the contradiction in her idea of eating what is grown in your area, and then filling her recipes with daikon, umebosi plum and other things like that. She could have worded it a little better to avoid sounding contradictory.
Some people may disagree with her views or think the animal rights and environmental issues are propaganda (I am not one of them), but if you are printing recipes they should be accurate, especially for baking. If they are not to someone's taste that, of course, is not a fault of the recipe. I will try many more, though.
However I liked that the book touched on so many reasons to eat a plant based diet; it reinforced what I already knew, and made me want to leave it open in the kitchen in my office in case anyone wanted to be enlightened :)
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has found any problems with the recipes themselves.
Update: a day after making the cornbread muffins I have a dozen little doorstops. The whole wheat biscuits are dry, crumbly and not delicious, although my dog loves them as a "treat".
I also have to sort agree with part of the snarky negative review below, about the contradiction in her idea of eating what is grown in your area, and then filling her recipes with daikon, umebosi plum and other things like that. She could have worded it a little better to avoid sounding contradictory.
Some people may disagree with her views or think the animal rights and environmental issues are propaganda (I am not one of them), but if you are printing recipes they should be accurate, especially for baking. If they are not to someone's taste that, of course, is not a fault of the recipe. I will try many more, though.
However I liked that the book touched on so many reasons to eat a plant based diet; it reinforced what I already knew, and made me want to leave it open in the kitchen in my office in case anyone wanted to be enlightened :)
I'd be interested to know if anyone else has found any problems with the recipes themselves.
Update: a day after making the cornbread muffins I have a dozen little doorstops. The whole wheat biscuits are dry, crumbly and not delicious, although my dog loves them as a "treat".
Alicia Silverstone really lays it out nicely in this entertaining book. A plant-based diet is not only healthy, but compassionate as well. With this book, becoming vegan does not seem as scary as your parents would have you believe. Cut out the animal products at your own pace, feel great, have more energy, and have the peace of mind that your choices are helping the earth and reducing the suffering of sentient animals. Thanks Alicia!
I saw an article in a magazine about Alicia Silverstone and her new book. This sparked my interest so I went to a bookstore, had some coffee and skimmed through the book. I didn't buy it that day, but I kept thinking about what I had read. I have been flirting with vegetarianism for many years and this book really helped me to seal the deal. It is well put together, she writes from her heart and all the things she has researched and written about I have either heard or read before. The recipes are delicious and with a little effort I was able to find most of the ingredients. The book has helped me to move my diet in the direction that I feel is right for me. I am now a vegetarian flirting with being a vegan and hoping to end up a superhero.
Thus far I've found Ms. Silverstone's book informative as well as thought provoking. I've been contemplating going either vegetarian or vegan and have found her arguments compelling. Giving up meat will not be too difficult; however, going without dairy is daunting. Definitely worth a read to better understand how powerful dairy and meat associations, lobbyists greatly dictate what's on your plate.
If only the entire world could read this book!
Absolutely fantastic book. The moment I picked it up, I read the entire thing in one shot (half of it is information and the other half is recipes). It definitely inspired me to go vegan again as much as possible. She describes the "nasty foods" in a very frank and honest way -- why they are nasty to the environment, nasty to animals, and nasty to our bodies (sugar, dairy, meat, etc.). There are vegan inspiring facts along the way, such as "More than 95 percent of eggs sold in the US come from birds confined in wire battery cages so small they can hardly move" (p. 31); that milk takes an enormous amount of energy to produce and that it isn't good for us at all (p 42); and of course how cruel the meat production industry is. After she shows us just how bad these animal products are for us, she then talks about the many things out there that are not animal based and yummy at the same time! She makes you want to march to the grocery store and fill your cart with whole grains and fruits and veggies while turning your nose up at fattening cheese and meat. If you dabble in vegetarianism or if you love animals and want to be healthier, I highly recommend this book. The only negative thing I could say is that some of the foods she suggests can be hard to find depending on where you live (daikon for example). How could anyone read this and not want to be healthier and have a little more compassion for the furry creatures that we exploit?
This book is well written and based on facts. The focus is primarily on the relationship your body has with the foods that you consume. I can almost hear Alicia telling me the information through the pages. It's a book for everyone no matter what their purpose in reading it.
Personally I have always been the type of person who would never consider giving up meat "I love chicken too much" but after reading this book it became very easy for me to stop eating meat. I stopped in October 2009 and have never looked back.
My life has improved after reading the book and by making some lifestyle changes I have lost weight, I am less frustrated and angry, my mood is ligher, and I am happier person. I am very grateful for this book.
This will be a purchase you will not regret.
Thanks Alicia!
Personally I have always been the type of person who would never consider giving up meat "I love chicken too much" but after reading this book it became very easy for me to stop eating meat. I stopped in October 2009 and have never looked back.
My life has improved after reading the book and by making some lifestyle changes I have lost weight, I am less frustrated and angry, my mood is ligher, and I am happier person. I am very grateful for this book.
This will be a purchase you will not regret.
Thanks Alicia!
I feel kind of weird adding the first cookbook to my list, but it's more than a cookbook. In fact, the whole first half of the book is not recipes but ways to eat "kind," that is, close to the earth and whole foods that fill you with life and vitality. She focuses on "kind" (vegan) and "superhero" (macrobiotic) foods but allows a lot of flexibility and gives a ton of credence to "flirts" (omnivores who want to eat healthier and closer to the earth).
The recipes are awesome ~ I just wish there were more. She posts new ones to her blog, though, which is kind of her. The chocolate peanut butter cups are sinful.
The recipes are awesome ~ I just wish there were more. She posts new ones to her blog, though, which is kind of her. The chocolate peanut butter cups are sinful.
I am so happy, to be so KIND :)
Alicia has lifted my spirits with a wonderful vegan opportunity!
Not gonna lie, the fact that she has barely aged and always looks wonderful was one of my primary reason for going veggie just one year ago. I nearly died when I knew she was coming out with the book!
The steps and the advice are so helpful! She is not talking down to you, like other veggie books can.
I love it...if anything, just try a little "Flirting!" :)
Not gonna lie, the fact that she has barely aged and always looks wonderful was one of my primary reason for going veggie just one year ago. I nearly died when I knew she was coming out with the book!
The steps and the advice are so helpful! She is not talking down to you, like other veggie books can.
I love it...if anything, just try a little "Flirting!" :)
This is an excellent purchase for those looking into becoming a vegetarian or vegan. The first part of the book (background info making the case for veganism) is interesting and easy to read and most points are worth considering. The latter part, the recipes, is a mixed bag. Some recipes are excellent and I'm so glad I have them. Some are bad -- not "bad" as in I didn't care for them, but "bad" as in the proportions are way off. I think the recipe tester/proofreader missed a few typos. But, aside from a few questionable recipes, the book is inspiring and worthwhile.
I have just recently decided to give up meat and after reading this book, I know I've made the right decision. It's so insightful, easy to read, and just a great book all around. I've already bought several copies for family members as Christmas gifts and I can't wait to see what they think. I do agree with another reviewer that the ingredients in the recipes are a bit foreign to me, but luckily I do have great farmer's markets and vegetarian/vegan specific markets near where I live, so I think I'll be ok getting everything I need. I can't wait to make some of the recipes and continue on with this hugely beneficial new lifestyle.
I heard about this book on Oprah. When my energy shifted inside, I was finally able to switch to being a vegan vegetarian and this was the book I bought to help me get there in a healthy way. I was not looking for weight loss, but rather wanted to be sure I was getting the nutrition that I needed. This book helps me with that. Her recipes have helped me with portion sizes so that I get enough protein along with carbs and plenty of vegetables. She has done a beautiful job of putting together a very instructive and informative book.
Good people nutrition advice, bad pet advice
I'm still in the process of reading this book and so far enjoying it with few exception, one being is the mention that dogs too should be on vegan diets, her logic doesent add up. Unlike humans, dogs have short digestive tracts, anatomically they are designed to eat and digest animal flesh. Unlike humans (or bears), they do not have flat molars to grind down the plant matter to extract nutrition from it. This is particularly important with cats, because unlike dogs, they are obligate carnivores, meaning they will die without an amino acid called taurine which is only found in animal protein. If she endorses biologically appropriate diet for humans, she should not exclude pets from this. While vegetarian/vegan diets exist for dogs and cats, they are the equivalent of eating processed garbage. I understand why a person would chose to be vegan for moral reasons, but we cannot make that decision for our companion animals. If shes so concerned with humane and quality diet, theres several organic pet foods on the market or raw/homecooked diets (but I would imagine buying free range, organic meats for dogs/cats, would make anyone broke.
I became a vegan after reading this book. The recipes are easy and delicious. I have more energy and my skin and hair look great, plus, when I am done with a meal I do not have a heavy feeling of fullness but I am satisfied.
Love this book! Super easy. Couldn't help but hear "Cher" from Clueless narrating - she writes in a very easy going way. Which helps it from seeming as much like a diet book than ideas for lifestyle changes. I'm partial to Silverstone (I'm a nineties girl) and I got a LOT of rolled eyes from others when I mentioned I was reading her book. Neither here nor there. If you're thinking maybe you could open up to a healthier lifestyle but don't want to starve/seem like a food nazi/don't know how to cook/don't want to start working for GreenPeace anytime soon - this could be an easy transition. If this says anything, I've already bought a copy for my friend who just went vegan, and my other friend is currently borrowing mine..and I want it back! :) Cheers, just have fun with it!
Only con: Some of the products/produce she mentions might be harder to find. For instance, I cannot find Daikon for the life of me. But Tofutti (sp?) is amazing!! I love dairy, love cream cheese on bagels, I was skeptical, but now I'm sold. Living in Austin, we have tons of "hippie" stores so it may be easier for me. I'm hoping once it warms up to start hitting the farmers market(s) again.
Only con: Some of the products/produce she mentions might be harder to find. For instance, I cannot find Daikon for the life of me. But Tofutti (sp?) is amazing!! I love dairy, love cream cheese on bagels, I was skeptical, but now I'm sold. Living in Austin, we have tons of "hippie" stores so it may be easier for me. I'm hoping once it warms up to start hitting the farmers market(s) again.
Bought this book as a gift for my sister who has been a vegan for years. She enjoyed reading it and loved the recipes in the book.
This book is great. it's interesting and easy to read. there's a lot of recipes to help a person "flirt" with being a vegan or vegetarian. i also like how it explains all the reasons this lifestyle changes you--on many levels. I will definitely share this book with others.
Good intro to veganism and macrobiotics
One thing I got from reading this book is that it mostly isn't intended for me. I have been vegan for 2 years and this book is geared toward the omnivore reader and possibly vegetarian who eats eggs and/or dairy.
Half of the book is dedicated to the reasons why you should change your diet and talks about Alicia's own journey. In her own journey, she includes her struggles and challenges which are nice to hear. In the reasons why you should change your diet, she covers the 3 facets that are fueling the veganism movement: health, environment and animals. Plain and simple, eating animal products is bad for the environment, your body and also the animals. Alicia cites sources and gives valid reasons behind why veganism is a good choice. It is also really just an introduction and as such, she also gives recommendations for books on further reading.
From the beginning part of the book, I also got the vibe that it is meant for women under 30. That is not to say that those over 30 or men would not find the book useful. The writing style, language and some other indicators kind of give me that impression. I am over 30 and I liked it but I realized that Alicia intended this to be an approachable book and has tried to convey that through her writing.
The seoond half of the book covers 3 eating plan. The first eating plan is basically a transition plan and is meant to help transition those who eat a standard american diet (ie high fat, high sugar) to a vegan diet. She gives tips and tricks for transitioning and how to start eating healthy but she also gives recommendations for substitute foods which means a lot of processed food recommendations. It is meant to only be temporary and only to help those that are struggling with the idea of eating a vegan diet. As a vegan, I've tried some of those foods but most of them I have not and they aren't a regular part of my diet. She says you can definitely skip this phase if you are up for it.
The second plan is a healthy style vegan diet with a slight bent towards macrobiotics. These are regular old recipes and have ingredients that you should find at any local store. If you can find whole grains, veggies, legumes, fruit, nuts, etc at your local store then you should be able to make most of the recipes.
The third plan is a macrobiotic style vegan diet. I've never personally tried a macrobiotic style diet and it was one of the reasons I got interested in this book. There are quite a few recipes in the third section. Some of them are products I've never used and maybe never even noticed in my local grocery store. Some of them I have used in the past. A lot of the products can be found at your local grocery store, farmer's market, natural food store or local Asian market. If you can't find a product, there are adequate substitutions or there enough other recipes to try that you can certainly skip a recipe. The recipes are there as mostly guidelines and to give you ideas of things to eat and try.
Alicia does recommend that you buy locally when you can which includes farmer's markets or outdoor markets as well as your local co-ops and natural food stores. I am personally amazed at the produce I find at farmer's markets, a lot of stuff I've never heard of or seen before is grown locally. You really don't need any special ingredients to be vegan either, you just need access to whole grains, legumes, veggies, nuts and fruit, anything beyond that is an extra.
If you are vegan already and solidly know why you are vegan, I'd probably say skip this book and look into a macrobiotic book. It was a good read but it may be more of a library checkout book if you don't need an intro to veganism.
One thing I like overall is that Alicia is totally committed towards giving you the tools you need to become vegan. She has set up a website for such a purpose. She also personally answers questions and she also posts recipes and information.
Half of the book is dedicated to the reasons why you should change your diet and talks about Alicia's own journey. In her own journey, she includes her struggles and challenges which are nice to hear. In the reasons why you should change your diet, she covers the 3 facets that are fueling the veganism movement: health, environment and animals. Plain and simple, eating animal products is bad for the environment, your body and also the animals. Alicia cites sources and gives valid reasons behind why veganism is a good choice. It is also really just an introduction and as such, she also gives recommendations for books on further reading.
From the beginning part of the book, I also got the vibe that it is meant for women under 30. That is not to say that those over 30 or men would not find the book useful. The writing style, language and some other indicators kind of give me that impression. I am over 30 and I liked it but I realized that Alicia intended this to be an approachable book and has tried to convey that through her writing.
The seoond half of the book covers 3 eating plan. The first eating plan is basically a transition plan and is meant to help transition those who eat a standard american diet (ie high fat, high sugar) to a vegan diet. She gives tips and tricks for transitioning and how to start eating healthy but she also gives recommendations for substitute foods which means a lot of processed food recommendations. It is meant to only be temporary and only to help those that are struggling with the idea of eating a vegan diet. As a vegan, I've tried some of those foods but most of them I have not and they aren't a regular part of my diet. She says you can definitely skip this phase if you are up for it.
The second plan is a healthy style vegan diet with a slight bent towards macrobiotics. These are regular old recipes and have ingredients that you should find at any local store. If you can find whole grains, veggies, legumes, fruit, nuts, etc at your local store then you should be able to make most of the recipes.
The third plan is a macrobiotic style vegan diet. I've never personally tried a macrobiotic style diet and it was one of the reasons I got interested in this book. There are quite a few recipes in the third section. Some of them are products I've never used and maybe never even noticed in my local grocery store. Some of them I have used in the past. A lot of the products can be found at your local grocery store, farmer's market, natural food store or local Asian market. If you can't find a product, there are adequate substitutions or there enough other recipes to try that you can certainly skip a recipe. The recipes are there as mostly guidelines and to give you ideas of things to eat and try.
Alicia does recommend that you buy locally when you can which includes farmer's markets or outdoor markets as well as your local co-ops and natural food stores. I am personally amazed at the produce I find at farmer's markets, a lot of stuff I've never heard of or seen before is grown locally. You really don't need any special ingredients to be vegan either, you just need access to whole grains, legumes, veggies, nuts and fruit, anything beyond that is an extra.
If you are vegan already and solidly know why you are vegan, I'd probably say skip this book and look into a macrobiotic book. It was a good read but it may be more of a library checkout book if you don't need an intro to veganism.
One thing I like overall is that Alicia is totally committed towards giving you the tools you need to become vegan. She has set up a website for such a purpose. She also personally answers questions and she also posts recipes and information.
Please Review The Book If You Intend To Leave One...
For those who lack time, let me sum up the bad reviews for you:
1. Either complains about sellers in the marketplace
2. Issues with Silverstone supporting PETA
3. Issues with the viewpoint AKA veganism, macro, etc.
4. Issues with the ingredients in the book
Most of this book is not recipes. That's okay, it's more a story of Alicia's struggles and viewpoints. I found it quite enjoyable, a quality read that went quickly. I wasn't looking at this to be my new Bible, however.
1. Either complains about sellers in the marketplace
2. Issues with Silverstone supporting PETA
3. Issues with the viewpoint AKA veganism, macro, etc.
4. Issues with the ingredients in the book
Most of this book is not recipes. That's okay, it's more a story of Alicia's struggles and viewpoints. I found it quite enjoyable, a quality read that went quickly. I wasn't looking at this to be my new Bible, however.
I wanted to love this book but... just not happening.
I've liked Alicia for a long time because of her obvious love for animals. In fact, I've often thought that Alicia and I could be BFFs if time and geography were different. But, I'm pretty frank with my IRL BFF so I will be frank with you too, Alicia.
This book... I wanted to like this book. I really did. I pined for it for a long time until I finally bit the bullet and bought it, sure I would just be enamoured with it. I was sure that it would be the answer to all my food-related prayers.
Yeah... not so much.
I'm glad I have it; I'm glad I read it. There are a few good tips scattered here, yonder and there in it. A couple of good recipes too. As a result of reading about "daikon" in your book, I have it growing in my garden now. So, some positives there.
But, all in all, this diet is not for the average joe (or jane). What all do you limit in this book? A LOT! Tomatoes, potatoes, soy milk, bread, this list goes on. Basically, you eat greens. A lot of them. I love greens but I love them alongside a nice, juicy, heirloom tomato! And I don't want greens for each and every meal.
Now, I realize that there are many kinds of greens and many ways to "shake this up" but I live in a small town and there aren't that many kinds of greens here. Besides, I don't have the time to go out in search of a hundred different kinds of greens just so I'll have something to eat.
Really.
I kind of got the feeling that Alicia was a bit disapproving if you didn't go all out "superhero". That is her ideal, of course. But, that is pretty darn unrealistic for a lot of us. Or, at least it is for me.
And, my last point and perhaps the biggest turn-off for me in this book... Alicia has her DOGS on a vegan diet. It says it right there in the book. This to me is taking it a bit far. I don't want to eat meat but I know that my dogs and cats are instinctually programmed to eat meat. That is how their bodies and digestive systems are made. To deny them their instinct is just wrong, in my opinion.
All in all, I was disappointed. I wanted to love this book and looked so forward to it but... nah, it was a letdown.
Sorry, Alicia... I do still love you though.
This book... I wanted to like this book. I really did. I pined for it for a long time until I finally bit the bullet and bought it, sure I would just be enamoured with it. I was sure that it would be the answer to all my food-related prayers.
Yeah... not so much.
I'm glad I have it; I'm glad I read it. There are a few good tips scattered here, yonder and there in it. A couple of good recipes too. As a result of reading about "daikon" in your book, I have it growing in my garden now. So, some positives there.
But, all in all, this diet is not for the average joe (or jane). What all do you limit in this book? A LOT! Tomatoes, potatoes, soy milk, bread, this list goes on. Basically, you eat greens. A lot of them. I love greens but I love them alongside a nice, juicy, heirloom tomato! And I don't want greens for each and every meal.
Now, I realize that there are many kinds of greens and many ways to "shake this up" but I live in a small town and there aren't that many kinds of greens here. Besides, I don't have the time to go out in search of a hundred different kinds of greens just so I'll have something to eat.
Really.
I kind of got the feeling that Alicia was a bit disapproving if you didn't go all out "superhero". That is her ideal, of course. But, that is pretty darn unrealistic for a lot of us. Or, at least it is for me.
And, my last point and perhaps the biggest turn-off for me in this book... Alicia has her DOGS on a vegan diet. It says it right there in the book. This to me is taking it a bit far. I don't want to eat meat but I know that my dogs and cats are instinctually programmed to eat meat. That is how their bodies and digestive systems are made. To deny them their instinct is just wrong, in my opinion.
All in all, I was disappointed. I wanted to love this book and looked so forward to it but... nah, it was a letdown.
Sorry, Alicia... I do still love you though.
language in this book reinforces unhealthy "diet" mentality
The language in this book reinforces the "diet" mentality that I am trying to escape! Immediately Alicia talks about "nasty foods" and she talks about "slipping up".... Aren't you tired of all this restrictive prohibitive talk around food? There's just not enough about having faith in your body, trusting your urges and instinct, enjoying life and claiming health. I am happy the diet is working for HER - but the whole tone of the book rubs me wrong and rings of a evangelical trying to convert others. Many of us who grew up on farms and around hunters and fishers know that we can feel good about meat sources when we choose carefully and conciously - so calling our food choices "nasty" is in very poor taste and quite narrow minded.
Cookbook for vegans with lots of disposable income and time.
I bought this book primarily for the recipes, which I inevitably concluded were too simple to have been published in a popular cookbook (who doesn't know how to make pasta and salad dishes?) or, conversely, far too expensive and complicated to satisfy the needs of freshly minted vegans.
There are a lot of recipes that call for truffle oil, and a lot of desserts that call for "maple sugar". I'm fairly adept at stocking my pantry but in no world have I ever been able to find maple sugar, let alone use it on a regular basis making desserts.
In the end I deemed this book as more of a health food book with a vegan/west coast slant rather than a cookbook thoughtfully aimed towards the emerging vegan. These recipes are far too health conscious, complicated, and demanding for a newly birthed vegan to get by on.
In addition, at times I found Silverstone's use of language rendered far to juvenile for me to take seriously. Buy it if you have a lot of money the throw away, but if you can, borrow it and you'll be better off. (Or buy it used)
There are a lot of recipes that call for truffle oil, and a lot of desserts that call for "maple sugar". I'm fairly adept at stocking my pantry but in no world have I ever been able to find maple sugar, let alone use it on a regular basis making desserts.
In the end I deemed this book as more of a health food book with a vegan/west coast slant rather than a cookbook thoughtfully aimed towards the emerging vegan. These recipes are far too health conscious, complicated, and demanding for a newly birthed vegan to get by on.
In addition, at times I found Silverstone's use of language rendered far to juvenile for me to take seriously. Buy it if you have a lot of money the throw away, but if you can, borrow it and you'll be better off. (Or buy it used)
I read about this book coming out on [...] and ran right to Barnes and Nobles to get it. First off, it's a beautiful book with lovely pictures of food and vegan spreads that are artistic and enticing. I also really enjoyed the tone and the laid-back approach to transitioning, as well as all the information on eating a macrobiotic diet. It's got a lot of information presented in a nice, summarized way. And the recipes look fantastic with things like Peanut Butter Cups and appetizing pasta and fruit dishes.
There are lots of vegan books that go into extreme detail about why a vegan diet is healthier, more humane, and the best option. And while Silverstone is certainly proud of her veganism, she accepts that people are human and that we all change at our own pace. This is the book I would point to if any of my friends ask questions about my diet as it is the least in-your-face book with a good dose of passion mixed in. It isn't self-righteous at all, but very informative.
I think, out of any of the numerious vegan books and cookbooks I have collected, this book does the best job of presenting veganism as something that you can be excited about with the benefits you find in it for yourself, the earth, and what you find on your plate.
There are lots of vegan books that go into extreme detail about why a vegan diet is healthier, more humane, and the best option. And while Silverstone is certainly proud of her veganism, she accepts that people are human and that we all change at our own pace. This is the book I would point to if any of my friends ask questions about my diet as it is the least in-your-face book with a good dose of passion mixed in. It isn't self-righteous at all, but very informative.
I think, out of any of the numerious vegan books and cookbooks I have collected, this book does the best job of presenting veganism as something that you can be excited about with the benefits you find in it for yourself, the earth, and what you find on your plate.
Strictly rating her recipes, I'd say that so far I either love them or think the proportions are way off. I agree with other reviewers who commented that some of her ingredients are difficult to find. I have a Whole Foods in my area and still couldn't find some of her ingredients. Also, the Japanese ingredients can be very expensive. I checked this book out from the public library, and I'd recommend others do the same and save yourself the money if you are curious about this book.
I just read through a lot of the reviews for this cookbook, and I must say I whole-heartedly disagree with most of them. I think this is a great book to have in the arsenal for a vegan. You can take her opinions in the beginning or leave them, but ultimately, she is relatable, and she is trying to make veganism/macrobiotics accessible. I think she does that. I have tried many of the recipes, and I have yet to be disappointed. She doesn't use many unusual products, and recognizes that you may not be able to use some of the more pricey ones, like maple sugar, but lets you know the benefits of using them if you can. The "super-hero" recipes are more restrictive and exotic, but that is due to the recipes following the principles of macrobiotics.. that's not something new that Silverstone came up with.
All in all, I highly recommend this cookbook. I've been sincerely happy with it, and I use it often. I also use Vegan with a Vengeance, Real Food Daily and Skinny Bitch for my recipes.
All in all, I highly recommend this cookbook. I've been sincerely happy with it, and I use it often. I also use Vegan with a Vengeance, Real Food Daily and Skinny Bitch for my recipes.
Love this cookbook! Saw this author on Oprah & was very impressed with her ideas. Borrowed the book from the library 1st & then knew I had to have it. Like the layout of the cookbook & all the helpful suggestions to becoming vegan
What I love about this book is Alicia explains why you need to stop eating sugar, processed foods, dairy, and meat. Then she explains why other foods that you may have not heard of are so great for you. Then she gives you some of her favorite recipes to try yourself. A great reference book for people just starting their health journey, and those who are ready for the next level. Thank you, Alicia!
I can't get enough of this book!
I practically sleep with this book at night. Its packed with helpful information, its accessible, its endearing, the recipes are simple and delicious. I've transformed my kitchen to "Superhero" status and I'm feeling fantastic. Sea veggies, miso, quinoa and brown rice syrup are now familiar staples. Alicia's three-level approach is very practical and gentle. I HIGHLY recommend this book if you'd like to make lifestyle changes for yourself and the planet.
There's a little vegan blood in my family. I grew up a vegan until i was about 15. After that my mom could only deny the existence of meat and processed foods for so long. I have never been a "must have meat person", but I did enjoy chicken and sometimes hamburger and the very occasional steak. I never really thought too much about the animal end of things. I liked animals and wouldn't want them to be hurt, but I never thought too much about what might be going on behind the meat making curtain. I'm now in my late 20's and almost a year ago I had the biggest wake up call with regard to what I eat. It's a long story, but basically I kicked sugar, white flour, and most processed foods altogether and switched wherever possible to organics. This book was the final and much needed step in my journey back to the vegan way of life. I'd been flirting with the idea of going vegan again, but thought I would miss the occasional chicken and turkey I thought I'd continue to want. I have never had any particular love for Alicia Silverstone, she was just kind of there, but reading this book tells me how truly amazing she is. After reading this book, I did some extensive research into the meat industry. After finding out that everything she said was true, I decided I was done. I will not support an industry that treats living creatures that way and does so with no regard for the damage it does to the earth. In addition, she's also right about the human body not being designed to digest meat and who's body wouldn't be better off without all the chemicals and cholesterol in meat? I'll get the bad news out first and start off with the few things that I didn't enjoy about it, but there are reverse sides to both. First, she says at some point that vegetable juices are not as good for you as the actual vegetable because they're stripped of their fiber. I have devoted months to the study of juicing and can confidently state the opposite. There are many nutrients in vegetables that you cannot get to UNTIL they're stripped of their fiber. One example is carrots: the beta-carotene miracle. You would have to eat about 15 raw, unpeeled carrots to get the beta carotene in one 8 oz glass of fresh carrot juice. Not only would that be hard on your jaw, it would take a very long time, and you wouldn't end up with all the beta-carotene anyway because half of it wouldn't be absorbed because of digestion time. The reason I don't hold this against her is because a lot of people simply have not had the opportunity to learn about juicing. Keep in mind, I AM NOT SUGGESTING YOU SUBSTITUTE JUICE FOR THE REAL THING. Just add it to your diet and you WILL see amazing results. I also believe there should be more fruit in your diet than she recommends. Next, in defense of the other reviewers, she does call for several ingredients which, depending on where you live can be almost impossible to find. She also said that it was unlikely that there was not a vegetarian restaurant nearby.This shows a little naivety on her part, but the reverse side is that if you've never lived in a small town or remote area, you don't know that they don't have those items available. I found that out the first time I moved to a smaller city. Also, in her defense, she does often suggest alternatives to use in place of the harder to find items. In several places, she also makes the great point that these recipes are not law. These are vegetables people! Be creative! Try the sauces or seasonings with vegetables you do have access to and enjoy them. I have made several of the recipes now and have enjoyed every one. No cookbook is perfect or guaranteed to deliver a perfect dish for every person. I've cooked from books where things turned out lousy. Doesn't mean the book was lousy or that I'm a bad cook (but there's no denying I'm not usually very good at it). It just means that every book, recipe, taste and person is different. I'm sure there will be one or more in there that I won't care for so much, but as she states several times. Mix it up! Try the seasonings from recipe a with the vegetables or rice in recipe c. She's trying to encourage people into a way of life, not make a living as a culinary professor. She had a wake up call, this book is meant to be a wake up call. The book is an easy, pleasant read (I mean pleasant the way she writes it, not pleasant to read the things that happen to the animals). Her style and language is down to earth and fun. She displays a very obvious and selfless desire to spread the word about what's happening to our planet. Bottom line, no possible negative impact could come from living the way she recommends except for maybe being made fun of by a few people. However, if they're making fun of you for improving the way you live, maybe you shouldn't be around them in the first place. Alicia's "kind life" is life as it was meant to be lived in terms of food, the environment, and health. It's how people lived before we built machines so that we could cover the earth with concrete and destroy natural resources. I believe that people like Alicia were put in potentially influential positions for a reason. If it was just me spouting this stuff, no one would listen. Most people know who she is so her voice is louder and reaches farther. I hope it reaches as many people as possible and I know I'll always be monumentally grateful that it reached me.
I really enjoyed the book and learned a lot. It is a great starter book if you are trying to be more healthy. It talks about why meat & dairy is unhealthy. and steps you can take to be healthier. She lays out everything in a very easy way. She lays out what to replace and with what. she has different levels of change you can make to make it easy to get started. She doesn't expect you to go all out right away. Her tips really helped when I was shopping at whole foods. I have made two recipes and one was good and the other one was ok.
This book is amazing. I am trying every recipe one at a time, and nothing has let me down.Mainly we feel GREAT!. Yes we, my husband is not only loving all the new foods and spices being brought into his life, he FEELS the difference, as do I. The bursts of energy from our morning veggie/fruit drinks, all the new flavors and textures are a joy to experience. Our digestion has never been better,and with our light exercise program we are losing weight the right way, slowly but surly.It is work and more expensive to follow the program,but so worth it. Better to spend some extra $$ on good healthy foods then on doctors bills and meds later on.
Thanks again Alicia,
Patty Lenzo
Thanks again Alicia,
Patty Lenzo
I purchased this book about a month ago, and I have to say it's been life-changing for me. The methods espoused in this book are mind and soul affirming. Overall it is a joyful approach to eating, health, and ecology.
First, Alicia outlines the reasons that consumption of animal protein is "unkind" (to body, mind, soul, animals, and ultimately the planet). She then outlines a simple plan for making the transition from omnivore to macrobiotic vegan. The plan is divided into three phases:
1) "flirting" in which the reader "flirts" with the idea of reducing the consumption of animal protein, introduces more plants and whole grains, and begins to learn about vegetarianism, veganism, and macrobiotics
2) "vegan" in which the reader cuts out all animal proteins (there is some reliance on vegan processed food, though the author acknowledges that any processed foods are inherently inferior to "whole" foods)
3) "superhero", which is essentially vegan macrobiotics, and focuses on whole foods with little or no processed foods, as well as macrobiotic concepts of eating seasonally and locally. (Alicia herself "flirts" back and forth between veganism and full-on macrobiotics.)
The book offers wonderful tips on transitioning between phases, grocery shopping, dining out, and holiday meals. However, the best part of the book is the truly "kind" way it is written. Alicia places a premium on being "kind" to yourself, and urges the reader not to beat themselves up if they don't achieve "perfect" eating (vegan, macrobiotic, or otherwise). She also gives sympathetic advice and helpful suggestions to non-vegans who may think of veganism as boring, expensive, complicated, unsatisfying or impossible.
REVIEWER'S NOTE: Japanese foods (brown rice syrup, sea vegetables, daikon, miso, etc.) are at the heart of the macrobiotic "superhero" phase. Alicia gives some thoughtful explanation of a few of these foods, but for additional information you may want to check out:
Japanese Foods That Heal: Using Traditional Japanese Ingredients to Promote Health, Longevity, & Well-Being A wonderful guide to the healing properties of traditional Japanese foods, many of which figure prominently in Alicia's book.
Japanese Women Don't Get Old or Fat: Secrets of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen An introduction to Japanese home cooking with a focus on the cornerstores of Japanese cuisine and traditional Japanese attitudes towards food.
The Chopsticks Diet: Japanese-inspired Recipes for Easy Weight-Loss
A Western-Eastern fusion cookbook that offers some Japanese diet tips as well as additional info on Japanese food ingredients.
Aveline Kushi's Complete Guide to Macrobiotic Cooking: For Health, Harmony, and Peace One of the "bibles" of modern macrobiotics. After reading this, you will recognize the wonderful simplicity of Alicia's book and the great gift she has given by making macrobiotic recipes and concepts available to a wider audience.
Happy eating!
First, Alicia outlines the reasons that consumption of animal protein is "unkind" (to body, mind, soul, animals, and ultimately the planet). She then outlines a simple plan for making the transition from omnivore to macrobiotic vegan. The plan is divided into three phases:
1) "flirting" in which the reader "flirts" with the idea of reducing the consumption of animal protein, introduces more plants and whole grains, and begins to learn about vegetarianism, veganism, and macrobiotics
2) "vegan" in which the reader cuts out all animal proteins (there is some reliance on vegan processed food, though the author acknowledges that any processed foods are inherently inferior to "whole" foods)
3) "superhero", which is essentially vegan macrobiotics, and focuses on whole foods with little or no processed foods, as well as macrobiotic concepts of eating seasonally and locally. (Alicia herself "flirts" back and forth between veganism and full-on macrobiotics.)
The book offers wonderful tips on transitioning between phases, grocery shopping, dining out, and holiday meals. However, the best part of the book is the truly "kind" way it is written. Alicia places a premium on being "kind" to yourself, and urges the reader not to beat themselves up if they don't achieve "perfect" eating (vegan, macrobiotic, or otherwise). She also gives sympathetic advice and helpful suggestions to non-vegans who may think of veganism as boring, expensive, complicated, unsatisfying or impossible.
REVIEWER'S NOTE: Japanese foods (brown rice syrup, sea vegetables, daikon, miso, etc.) are at the heart of the macrobiotic "superhero" phase. Alicia gives some thoughtful explanation of a few of these foods, but for additional information you may want to check out:
Japanese Foods That Heal: Using Traditional Japanese Ingredients to Promote Health, Longevity, & Well-Being A wonderful guide to the healing properties of traditional Japanese foods, many of which figure prominently in Alicia's book.
Japanese Women Don't Get Old or Fat: Secrets of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen An introduction to Japanese home cooking with a focus on the cornerstores of Japanese cuisine and traditional Japanese attitudes towards food.
The Chopsticks Diet: Japanese-inspired Recipes for Easy Weight-Loss
A Western-Eastern fusion cookbook that offers some Japanese diet tips as well as additional info on Japanese food ingredients.
Aveline Kushi's Complete Guide to Macrobiotic Cooking: For Health, Harmony, and Peace One of the "bibles" of modern macrobiotics. After reading this, you will recognize the wonderful simplicity of Alicia's book and the great gift she has given by making macrobiotic recipes and concepts available to a wider audience.
Happy eating!
This book changed my life! I was interested in becoming vegetarian.... I read the book and followed the author's suggestion of giving up meat, sugar and dairy for one month. After one week I was surprised at how much energy I had and how amazing I felt! And my skin cleared up - just like she said!
This book has changed my life!!
This book is amazing and has so much good information and amazing recipes! I am very excited about learning how to make different choices and cook with different ingredients that I had no idea existed. I have decided to go vegan for my health and for all our animal friends out there too. This book is very kind and compassionate too.
Share your thoughts with other customers
Create your own review
Create your own review
According to Alicia, in addition to meat, Nasty Foods include also dairy, refined sugar, and processed foods. These are the foods that we have to avoid in our daily diet. However, she realizes that it is very hard, if not impossible, for most people to just drop their normal nutritional habits and go totally vegan from one day to another. Therefore she suggests three levels of changing into Living in the Kind Life - from Flirting, via Going Vegan, to Becoming a Superhero.
Alicia insists that by eliminate harmful foods like meat, dairy, refined sugar and processed products, and enjoying an endless variety of deeply nourishing grains, vegetables and other delectable whole foods, you will live in agreement with nature and get rid of obesity problem that plagues the modern societies. By changing your eating habits and becoming vegan you will say good-bye to dieting once for all. And that's while enjoying "irresistibly sweet treats, you can eat every single day, forever."
I recently verified Alicia's statement on my recent trip to Central Europe. I discovered a restaurant chain called "Green Wave" that was serving plant foods only. Throughout the whole week I was consuming a variety of delicious meals not even once missing my traditional North American Big Burger.
By the end of the book Alicia provided some good (and some not so good) recipes of vegan meals. I suggest trying most of them to decide which ones suit you best. Keep in mind that you need to eat what's indigenous to the area to avoid stressing your body. This isn't a totally novel idea. The author of a great health/longevity book titled "Live 150 Years - Your Body Maintenance Handbook" is also a great proponent of living in agreement with nature and eating indigenous foods. If you check this book out, make sure to also read the chapters about obesity causes, and proper food combination.
TO SUMMARIZE: Plant-based diet is just about the greenest thing you can do. It requires less fuel, water, and other precious resources. It can also be the secret to your health, slim physique and radiant beauty. Enjoy the ride.