Veggie Blog

Book Description
Editorial Reviews Book Description

In India, where vegetarianism is a way of life, food and its preparation assume the aspect of a spiritual discipline. “The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking” demonstrates that meals without meat can be both tasty and exciting. The delightful variety of gourmet dishes in this collection should inspire anyone interested in adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.

Who wrote it?

According to the title, the book is by Adiraja dasa.

Why does the description mention spirituality?

It says that in India, where vegetarianism is a way of life, food and its preparation take on the aspect of a spiritual discipline.

What is The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking about?

According to the description, the book demonstrates that meals without meat can be tasty and exciting.

Who is The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking meant for?

The description says the variety of gourmet dishes should inspire anyone interested in adopting a vegetarian lifestyle.

Everything above comes from the book description on its Amazon page.

What does lacto-vegetarian cooking involve?

Vegetarian food in many Indian traditions includes dairy, which makes it lacto-vegetarian. The MedlinePlus vegetarian diets entry says lacto-vegetarian diets include plant foods and dairy, and that dairy and eggs are the richest vegetarian sources of vitamin B12.

Where food has a devotional meaning, preparation can matter as much as ingredients, with attention to cleanliness, freshness and mindfulness in the kitchen. Whatever your beliefs, those habits help: wash hands, wash produce under running water and keep work surfaces clean, in line with the FDA produce-safety advice.

Legumes, grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy make a balanced pattern. Ghee, cream and fried snacks are energy-rich, so keep an eye on portions if you have high cholesterol or are watching weight. A doctor or dietitian can help if you need a lower-fat plan. Wash your hands before cooking and between tasks.

Related on this blog: Diet and Fitness: How Carbs, Fat and Protein Fit Together and Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements

Book: The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking by Adiraja dasa
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Book Description
This is an excellent creamy walnut maple totally vegan ice cream recipe you will want to make over and over!

What is Blendtec Vegan Walnut Maple Ice Cream Recipe about?

The title says it is a vegan walnut maple ice cream recipe by Karen Peebles, with the Blendtec brand named in the title.

How does the description describe the ice cream?

It calls it a creamy, totally vegan walnut maple ice cream that the author thinks you will want to make again and again.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page. The description is short, so check the Amazon page for the full contents.

What do walnuts offer, and how much maple syrup is too much?

Walnuts are one of the better plant sources of the omega-3 fat ALA. The ODS fact sheet on omega-3 fatty acids explains that ALA, an essential fatty acid, comes mainly from plant oils and seeds, and that the longer-chain omega-3s DHA and EPA come from fish and seafood. Your body converts only a limited amount of ALA to those forms.

Nuts are also energy-dense, so a modest portion goes a long way. The Harvard Nutrition Source page on nuts describes nuts as sources of healthy fat, protein and fibre.

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener, but it is still added sugar. The Harvard page on added sugar suggests treating sweet desserts as occasional, and recipes can use less than the maximum amount. Store homemade frozen desserts in a sealed container, and accept that texture changes over time.

Tree nuts are a common allergen. Label anything you share, and ask guests about allergies. Toasting walnuts briefly in a dry pan brings out their flavour, and keeping them in the fridge or freezer slows them going rancid. A small scoop of a rich dessert goes a long way. Serve it in small portions with fresh fruit.

More on this blog: Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements and Diet and Fitness: How Carbs, Fat and Protein Fit Together

Book: Blendtec Vegan Walnut Maple Ice Cream Recipe by Karen Peebles
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

Book Description
This is a powerhouse of vegan green and red smoothie and rainbow ice cream recipes, all true to vegan lifestyle, tempting and delicious.

What is this book about?

The title says it is “A Rainbow of Vegan Smoothie and Ice Cream Recipes” by Karen Peebles.

What recipes can I expect?

The description names vegan green and red smoothies and rainbow ice creams, all “true to vegan lifestyle”.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page. The description is brief, so look at the Amazon page for the full contents.

How do I make smoothies and frozen desserts that are actually balanced?

A smoothie is only as healthy as its ingredients. Greens, berries, banana, oats, nut butter, seeds and a plant milk or water make a balanced base, while large amounts of juice, syrups and sweetened yoghurts can turn it into a sugary drink. The Harvard page on added sugar recommends keeping sugary drinks and sweets to a minimum.

Wash produce before blending. The FDA page on safe produce advises rinsing under running water, because washing reduces, but does not eliminate, bacteria. Leafy greens, berries and any fruit you will peel or cut all get a rinse.

Whole fruit supplies more fibre than juice, and blending keeps most of it. The Harvard Nutrition Source page on fiber lists fruit and vegetables among fibre sources. Frozen fruit makes thick shakes without ice cream, and a tablespoon of seeds adds fat and texture.

Drink smoothies soon after making them or refrigerate promptly. Anyone with diabetes should ask about portion size, since liquid fruit can raise blood sugar quickly. Frozen bananas and berries are the usual base for thick, ice-cream-style blends, and a splash of liquid is enough to start the blender. Clean the blender straight after use. Rinse the blender jug straight away so nothing dries on.

Related reading on this blog: Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements and Eating to Lower Cholesterol: Oats, Fruit, Beans and Healthy Fats

Book: Veganish A Rainbow of Vegan Smoothie and Ice Cream Recipes by Karen Peebles
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Book Description
Many patients that I see in my medical nutrition practice request specific detailed information in order to move toward a vegetarian lifestyle. Here is a book that will guide them along such a path. It will also assist current vegetarians to reach a new level of understanding by offering specific instruction for improving food habits. The instruction includes the most up-to-date and scientific data regarding food protein. By using the egg as a model of the near perfect protein source and comparing vegetarian foods with the egg, we now have available tools for increasing the benefits of protein from non-meat sources.

Who is the author?

According to the title, the book is by Gary Null.

What does the book say about protein?

The description says the instruction includes the most up-to-date and scientific data on food protein. It uses the egg as a model of a near perfect protein source and compares vegetarian foods with the egg. These are the author’s statements, and this page has not checked them.

What is this book about?

The description is written in the voice of a medical nutrition practitioner whose patients ask for detailed information on moving to a vegetarian lifestyle. It says the book will guide them along that path.

Who is the intended reader?

It says the book will also help current vegetarians reach a new level of understanding, with specific instruction for improving food habits.

This is a summary of the book description, not medical advice.

What should I know about moving toward a vegetarian diet?

Moving step by step is usually easier to keep up than changing everything at once. Begin by adding more plant foods, then reduce animal foods as you learn dishes you enjoy. Keep a food diary for a week, pick two or three meatless dinners and learn to cook beans and lentils.

Three nutrients are commonly mentioned. The ODS zinc fact sheet says vegetarians may need more zinc, because beans and grains contain phytates that reduce absorption. The ODS iron fact sheet says the iron target for people who skip meat, poultry and seafood altogether is nearly double the usual figure, and the NIH B12 consumer fact sheet notes that B12 occurs naturally only in animal foods.

People with diabetes, kidney disease or other health conditions should plan changes with their doctor. A medical practitioner or registered dietitian can order blood tests and advise on supplements, and the information in a book should complement, not replace, that advice.

Related on this blog: Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements and Vitamins and Your Health: Do You Need a Supplement?

Book: The Vegetarian Handbook by Gary Null
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Book Description
Tantalizing, healthful, and low-fat, Global Vegetarian Cooking is a bountiful collection of easily prepared, international dishes to inspire any cook-from beginner to accomplished chef. A helpful vegetarian nutrition guide, food glossary, vegetarian meal planning tips, pantry list, and regional and ingredients indexes further enhance this easy and inviting collection.

What is inside the book?

It includes a vegetarian nutrition guide, a food glossary, vegetarian meal planning tips, a pantry list, and regional and ingredient indexes.

Who is the author?

The title credits Troth Wells as the author.

Is it suitable for beginners?

The book description says the book aims to inspire “any cook—from beginner to accomplished chef”.

What kind of book is Global Vegetarian Cooking?

The description calls it a collection of easily prepared international dishes that are healthful and low-fat.

Summary based on the book description on Amazon.

What does a balanced global menu look like?

International dishes can be low in fat and rich in vegetables, and recipes from many countries offer a route to variety. For a daily target, the WHO fact sheet on healthy diet recommends at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables and 25 grams of fibre.

A balanced plate usually includes a whole grain or starchy root, legumes or another protein, and plenty of vegetables. The Harvard T.H. Chan School Healthy Eating Plate suggests half the plate vegetables and fruits, a quarter whole grains and a quarter protein.

A helpful vegetarian nutrition section should cover the nutrients you might miss. The MedlinePlus vegetarian diet page lists vitamin B12, zinc, iron and calcium, with food sources for each.

Beginners and skilled cooks alike benefit from picking one cuisine a month, buying its key spices and cooking three or four dishes. Many dishes taste better the next day, and storage matters: refrigerate leftovers within two hours. A well-stocked pantry makes it easier to cook from different traditions without a long shop.

More on this blog: Eating to Lower Cholesterol: Oats, Fruit, Beans and Healthy Fats and Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements

Book: Global Vegetarian Cooking by Troth Wells
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)