Book Reviews: Food
With all the books available on health and vegan recipes, how does a Gal or Guy choose which one to buy, take out from the library, or download onto a mobile reader? Let Whitney do the vetting and she'll let you know when she finds a book that she loves.
If you'd like to browse through her recommendations and then buy your own copy, check out her Amazon store.
Curious what's she's currently reading? Follow her on Goodreads
Healthy Smoothie Recipes from The Blender Girl
Smoothies are all the rage in the healthy living community and have been creeping their way into households everywhere. It seems that almost everyone has a blender these days, and many homes are equipped with high speed blenders from Vitamix or Blendtec. That's likely because smoothies are such a delicious and easy way to get fruits and vegetables into your diet, whether it be for breakfast, snack or dessert. If you're like me, you make the same couple combinations over and over again, which can get a little boring. Great news: my friend Tess Masters recently launched two amazing tools to solve this dilemma. Get re-inspired with The Blender Girl Smoothies book and mobile app, which provide 100 innovative and lip-smacking recipes to take your blending beverages to the next level.
“Superfoods for Life”: Easy Recipes to Incorporate Coconut into Your Life
Book review by EvG team member Amanda Shea:
I love anything coconut: it's one of my favorite superfoods. Coconut is amazing and it is a super versatile ingredient to add into one's diet. I strictly use coconut oil for cooking and baking, and it can be used in multiple ways outside the kitchen from toothpaste to skin moisturizer. The multiple health benefits of coconut oil are astonishing: it has been found to help control blood sugar, control appetite, help burn fat and the list goes on. I am always looking for more ways to add coconut into my diet and thus I was very excited to receive the book "Superfoods for Life, Coconut". Note: not every recipe in this book is vegan or vegetarian, but a majority of the recipes are.
Dip Your Toes Into The Raw Diet With “Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People”
Book review by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
I've been interested in incorporating more raw foods into my life for several months now, but as with any major dietary leap, it all seemed rather daunting. Time, money and variety were my biggest concerns. "Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People" simplified everything for me. It's perfect for anyone who has ever been curious about a raw diet, but doesn't have a ton of time to spare. Author Jennifer Cornbleet offers up simple recipes heavy in fruits and vegetables, without tons of leftovers sitting in your fridge.
More...
The Secret to Flaky Crusts and Flavorful Fillings: A Review of “Gluten-Free and Vegan Pies”
Product Review by EvG team member Amanda Shea:
If you are new to gluten-free, vegan baking Gluten-Free & Vegan Pie is a great resource, as the recipes are easy to follow with instructive directions.
Paleo Vegan…An Oxymoron Or Not?
Book review written by EvG team member Courtney Rasbach:
Paleo and vegan together! Whoever heard of such a thing? Well, I certainly had not until Paleo Vegan by Ellen Jaffe Jones made its way into my home. Within the pages of her enlightening book, Ellen does a wonderful job at describing precisely what the terms Paleo and vegan mean, explaining the differences and similarities and showing that when combined they can make a strong, satisfying, health-beneficial diet for both the athlete and non-athlete alike.
Top Vegan Restaurant in Chicago: Now You Can Make The Recipes at Home!
The New Chicago Diner Cookbook by Jo A. Kaucher, with Kat Barry & The Chicago Diner Crew. Product review by EvG team member Kelly O’Brien:
Practically every vegan across the U.S. knows about The Chicago Diner, a legendary destination as far as plant based restaurants goes! As a ChiTown resident, I get to go there whenever I like - spoiled, I know!!! Since 1983, The Diner has been building it’s reputation as THE Chicago vegan/vegetarian choice to eat at for years. Even back when the city's reputation with meat-and-potatoes was the norm, this little cozy diner was making waves. The Chicago Diner is pretty darn famous here in our city and everyone that stops by for a meal, leaves with a big smile on their face and satisfied belly. It really is a special attraction for both natives and tourists alike.
"Fusion Food in the Vegan Kitchen" Shows How Flavorful Plant-Based Meals Can Be
Review written by EvG team member Rachel Curit:
Anyone who has ever thought that vegan food is flavorless and boring needs a copy of Food Fusion in the Vegan Kitchen stat. Joni Marie Newman shows her readers how to make decadent and satisfying food with everyday ingredients that could be found at the local grocery store. She takes well known dishes like Vietnamese bahn mi or Italian fettuccine Alfredo and adds an ethnic twist to make it even more exciting and unique.
Pineapple Salsa Smoothie: Recipe from The Blender Girl Book
Do you find yourself spending WAY too much moolah at the local smoothie bar and organic cafe? Are you having a love affair with your high speed blender, yet find yourself making the same recipes over and over again? If you found yourself hollering, "yes, Yes, YES!" then you much check out this new book. The Blender Girl: Super-Easy, Super-Healthy Meals, Snacks, Desserts, and Drinks--100 Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipes! by Tess Masters will be on shelves tomorrow (April 8th) and it is going to rock your blender-lovin' world. Below I'll share one of my favorite smoothie recipes from the publication, but first let me give you a little breakdown of this stunning work of art.
Healing Raw Vegan Cookbook: Annelie’s Raw Food Power
Guest post by Emily Heikes:
Even if you don't plan to switch to a raw vegan diet anytime soon, Raw Food Power is a great resource on incorporating more healing foods into your diet. Former stuntwoman turned naturopath, Annelie Whitfield has created flavorful recipes and remedies based on her experience healing herself.
Vegan Recipes: Plum Bistro Restaurant Cookbook
Guest post by Kylie Bennett
Lifelong vegan Makini Howell left the bustling streets of New York City in 2005 to open up Plum Bistro in Seattle, WA. Her vision for Plum was to have a place where vegans and omnivores could come together in one community and leave feeling completely satisfied. Out of this restaurant came the cookbook Plum, full of inventive vegan dishes that are bursting flavor and fun to make.
Spork-Fed Vegan Cookbook Launch at VegNews in San Francisco (video)
Last night I attended the Spork-Fed vegan cookbook launch at VegNews in San Francisco and had a blast. I know the Spork Foods sisters (Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg) from Los Angeles and it was great to see them, especially after everyone has been raving about their new book. I can see why - the book embodies their sweet, knowledgable spirits, it's fun to look through, the photos are gorgeous and it's full of important information about cooking vegan.