Helpful Score: 7
I am a hunter and I am a meat eater. I have always viewed Alicia Silverstone as one of them, a PETA freak that stood on the opposite side of everything I loved. However, when I had the opportunity to review The Kind Diet, I was intrigued. Despite her and I only being a year apart in age, she is thin, beautiful, and still has a youthful appearance. I am fat, not bad looking, but I can tell the years are starting to add up. I opted to read her book to see what the difference between her and I, the vegan and the hunter.
The book is basically divided into three parts. The first portion of the book is basically devoted to discussing what is wrong with the American food supply. The second portion of the book discusses the transition to beginning a vegetarian or vegan diet. The third and largest portion of the book is dedicated to recipes.
I found the first portion of the book to be quite intriguing. The author discusses various foods and food group typical in the American diet and then proceeds to say why we should not eat it. Reasons provided range from descriptions on how animals in a corporate farm environment are treated to how the foods have an effect on your body. In the going vegan section, the author discusses the transition to veganism. Ms. Silverstone discusses potential substitutes to foods that you use now. She also discusses how to maintain your new way of life outside the home, such as at parties, restaurants, while traveling, etc. The final chapter is recipes. Not much to say about those.
Ms. Silverstone does an admirable job discussing the topic of the dangers and negative aspects of the food supply as we know it. While I am not a nutritionalist, much of the discussion of why certain foods are bad seems to be based on sound theory. The book does an admirable job discussing substitutes for current food items, but I think the transition discussion could have been much better. Many of the foods listed in this book maybe known to current, experienced vegans, but I did not have the slightest clue what they are. I think the book could have benefited highly if an additional chapter on grocery store veganism were added. I think it would have been helpful to discuss a way to start the vegan diet with items found in any Albertsons, Safeway, or any major supermarket. I think this would help people ease into the transition and develop confidence to explore new items, such as the items listed in the book that are foreign to many people.
The book did not inspire me to kick meat all together, but the book did inspire me to make some significant changes in my diet. I am making it a point to eat more plant-based foods and eliminate a significant portion of the meat I used to eat. Overall, I thought the book was good, but I would not call it great. If you are interested in a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, I think the book would be worth reading.
The book is basically divided into three parts. The first portion of the book is basically devoted to discussing what is wrong with the American food supply. The second portion of the book discusses the transition to beginning a vegetarian or vegan diet. The third and largest portion of the book is dedicated to recipes.
I found the first portion of the book to be quite intriguing. The author discusses various foods and food group typical in the American diet and then proceeds to say why we should not eat it. Reasons provided range from descriptions on how animals in a corporate farm environment are treated to how the foods have an effect on your body. In the going vegan section, the author discusses the transition to veganism. Ms. Silverstone discusses potential substitutes to foods that you use now. She also discusses how to maintain your new way of life outside the home, such as at parties, restaurants, while traveling, etc. The final chapter is recipes. Not much to say about those.
Ms. Silverstone does an admirable job discussing the topic of the dangers and negative aspects of the food supply as we know it. While I am not a nutritionalist, much of the discussion of why certain foods are bad seems to be based on sound theory. The book does an admirable job discussing substitutes for current food items, but I think the transition discussion could have been much better. Many of the foods listed in this book maybe known to current, experienced vegans, but I did not have the slightest clue what they are. I think the book could have benefited highly if an additional chapter on grocery store veganism were added. I think it would have been helpful to discuss a way to start the vegan diet with items found in any Albertsons, Safeway, or any major supermarket. I think this would help people ease into the transition and develop confidence to explore new items, such as the items listed in the book that are foreign to many people.
The book did not inspire me to kick meat all together, but the book did inspire me to make some significant changes in my diet. I am making it a point to eat more plant-based foods and eliminate a significant portion of the meat I used to eat. Overall, I thought the book was good, but I would not call it great. If you are interested in a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, I think the book would be worth reading.
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book already being vegan. So, I already knew a lot of the information. I still enjoyed reading the book. I made a few of the recipes for my mom - the cupcakes were quite good, she says. However, I'm a low fat raw vegan. So, of course, I kind of wish the book had contained information about low fat living, maybe even a little information about Dr. Graham (80/10/10 author). Also, my other problem was that she advocated a vegan diet for dogs. Dogs are classified as carnivores, and while they can survive on a vegan diet ... survive is not the same as thrive.
Other than that, though, I thought the book was a good guide to new vegans or people interested in becoming vegan.
Other than that, though, I thought the book was a good guide to new vegans or people interested in becoming vegan.
Helpful Score: 1
I LOVE this book! Def. help change my outlook on animal cruelty, and instead of turning a cheek, it made me think about it going on in the world right now
Helpful Score: 1
Flirting with vegan. Helps you understand in relatable terms why we should avoid meat and dairy. Hubby has discovered he is lactose intolerant and feels so much better. Love this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this was a very well written book and just had a nice flow about it. Very easy for someone wanting to change to healthier eating habits to understand. Well done Alicia.
