SoulVeggie

Book Review: "Off the Reservation" or "Hail to the Vegan President?"

Give or take a few wks., I've been vegan for 14 yrs. last month, and 20 yrs. vegetarian before that.  It started out as a spiritual/physical health "experiment," and evolved to incorporate environmental and animal rights issues.

For many, being vegan is a lifestyle choice, and not just a diet that omits meat, dairy, eggs, and honey (etc.).  For them it is an all-encompassing philosophy of how one live their life, relates to other living entities, and respects our common local and global environment. 

For those of us who've gone down this path, it hasn't always been easy.  In my earlier years, harassment or ridicule was often the case.  So-called nutritional authorities, food corporations, and even our government, seemed to co-conspire to make our lives as vegans a living hell of having to defend ourselves at every turn and go hungry at restaurants.

I can't imagine there isn't a self-professed vegan living who hasn't at one time or another, wondered what it would be like if the President of the United States (or an individual running for that office), was a true vegan.  How many of us were impressed, maybe even thrilled, when vegan Congressman Dennis Kucinich threw his hat into the Presidential race?  How many of us hoped that the values he expressed as a vegan would translate into better and more rational governmental policies?   

Even though he's not President, how many of us take pride in Bill Clinton has been trying hard to maintain a vegan diet?  How many of us didn't ponder on how the media and general population would respond to a philosophical approach and lifestyle so diametrically opposed to the average in this country?

The very talented author Glen Merzer has addressed these issues, and done so with creative flair, acute insight, and small measures of whimsy and wit scattered throughout.  His new novel, "Off the Reservation," could have been full of stereotypes, predictable confrontations, and a godawful lot of preaching.

Instead, he's accomplished a masterful feat of presenting a touching, moving, thought-provoking and intriguing story of the first vegan to win his party's Presidential nomination and the consequences before and after this unusual feat.  Glen wisely avoids the direct issue of diet until well into the story.  I write "wisely," as at first I was puzzled as to "why?"

Upon more reflection, I realized it was, in part I believe, because a person's diet shouldn't be an issue (something any vegan can fully relate to).  His political philosophies and rational reactions to political chaos and the governing of this country ARE the issues that are important.  In this day and age of a 24/7 news cycle and faster-than-light social media, the focus is often on the ephemeral and superficial, which is alluded to throughout the campaign.

It's a smart and subtle approach to the lead character, Evan Gorgoni.  A reader learns more about the man from his speeches, interviews, private introspections, and approach to running for office (originally deciding to not run for Congress again and go back to teaching), then realizing that he had deeper responsibilities and potentialities.  We learn much more about the man by the context of his life than a quick stereotype related to what he does and doesn't eat: 

"Congressman Gorgoni, why haven't you been open with the American people about your dietary inclinations?"

"I never imagined it was relevant.  If I get elected, I thought they'd be playing Hail to the Chief, not Hail to the Chef." (p. 158) 

A smart read, Glen's done his homework on parsing out the true solutions to the REAL problems besetting this country (and indeed, the world in general).  Simple answers to complex issues as posed in one debate denote an almost zen-like ability to break difficult issues into easy to, well, swallow solutions.  Throughout this book Evan remains steadfastly true to his internal integrity, despite intense differences of opinion with some of his closest friends, advisors, and family.

I don't want to be a spoiler to anyone not having read this marvelous novel.  However, it wouldn't spoil any surprises to note that one of the climaxes to this odessy is aptly entitled "The Speech."  Here are a few selected passages from Gorgoni's nomination acceptance speech (given off the cuff without a teleprompter).  It is awesome in scope, depth, and vision.  I urge Glen to release it as a standalone for printed and social media.  I'm only barely scratching the surface of this seriously amazing tome with the following excerpts: 

"...Folks, the time has long since come to declare an end to the age of ideology.  It is, quite frankly, a nuisance.  Let us stop thinking of ourselves as liberals or conservatives, Democrats or Republicans, hawks or doves, Keynesians or supply-siders, cat people or dog people, right-brained or left-brained, and let us remind ourselves that we are all human beings standing on a planet that is spinning on its axis and revolves around the sun.  Spinning and revolving.  Think of that.  It will be hard for many in Washington to understand this, but it is possible to do two things at once..." (p. 115)

 "...President Clinton famously said, 'it's the economy, stupid.'  I say, it's the food, stupid.  We need to eat healthier foods, and stop being the sickest, fattest population ever to walk the face of the earth.  Of course our health costs continue to skyrocket on a diet so extraordinarily rich, so dangerously high in fat, so preposterously high in sugars, and so tragically low in nutrients.  We can't go on eating the same lousy food and imagine that we will be saved by drugs and interventions.  That again is an arrogant fantasy. The elegant solution is always the the simplest one.  Eat healthy food..." (p. 117)

"...Our government has been in the business for generations now of subsidizin precisely the farmers who grow our unhealthiest food with the highest demands for water and energy.  That costs needs to stop now..." (p. 119)

"...I say to you with deep conviction in my soul, let us do away, totally, irreversibly, and permanently, with leaf blowers.  What a foul, execrable piece of machinery tht is.  To state what should be obvious to all, no human being should make his living wearing an internal combustion engine strapped onto his back.  It simply makes no sense to burn fossil fuels for the purpose of blowing leaves from one yard to the next..." (p. 121)

"...It's an age-old battle.  Greed versus decency.  Ignorance versus reason.  Intolerance versus inclusion.  Fear versus love.  I have chosen my side.  You have Election Day to choose yours..." (p. 131) 

"The Speech" is full of amazing raw, clarifying, and indisputable truths that are so often obfuscated or ignored by mainstream and social media.  Rational, connecting, and important perspectives on important issues generally not shown on TV.

It's obvious that Glen has put a tremendous amount of soul searching and effort into this thought-provoking and unique novel.  Even as he's been behind the scenes, so to speak, in co-authoring the landmark books "The Mad Cowboy" and "No More Bull!" with Howard Lyman, as well as "Food Over Medicine" with Dr. Pam Popper, "Unprocessed," with Chef AJ, and more books than I can list here, he's obviously been absorbing a lot of ideas and knowledge, and in this wonderful novel, steps up to the plate and hits a solid home run.

I will most likely read this book a second time, which doesn't happen to often these days.  The amount of subtleties, deep concepts, the underlying messages, and ideas presented are well worth re-visiting.  Again, "The Speech" alone, is worth the price of admission.

Oh, and I'd be remiss in not mentioning that the meals eaten by Evan and his family mentioned in the novel are presented as actual recipes by Glen's wife in a second section of the book.  How clever!  Another example of the creativity, thoughtfulness, and desire to help us all learn, think, and eat better for ourselves and our planet.

Kudos, Glen!  I recommend this novel highly.  It is not so much a "vegan" novel as it is a true inspiring "call to arms" and a rallying cry for rational approaches to solving society's (and indeed, our planet's) most serious problems.  A thoughtful thought experiment that explores the question of what if a truly rational politician ran for the highest office in the land.

And the amusing digs at a few prominent media commenters are also great sport (Chris Matthews beware).  Glen's sense of humor shows throughout this speculative journey.  Buy a copy and enjoy the ride!

BTW: "Off the Reservation" would make a great movie (hint to any smart producer out there....).

----------------

The website:

www.offthereservationnovel.com

Book available in print & e-book at:

http://bit.ly/OffTheReservationNovel 

The author on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/GlenMerzerAuthor

Short video of author speaking about being veg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD1NoGqL-q0

Pizza Cookbook Review & FREE Giveaway

"VeganRunnerEats" reviews "Heart Healthy Pizza," offers FREE book giveaway.  Some great photos, I'll post the recipes later this week (in the process of moving domiciles). Check it out: http://wp.me/p3LYmB-FV  Here's one of her photos:

Review & Free Giveaway: "The China Study Cookbook"

As one of the handful of cookbook authors who've published a cookbook of plant-based recipes with no added oil and minimal to optional salt and sugar, it is always wonderful to have the opportunity to review another author's work in this growing "genre."  I've been no-added oil for seven years this month (from interviewing Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn).  There is ample and growing evidence that added oil is highly detrimental to human health and definitive proof that one's taste buds can be re-calibrated, the addiction conquered, by avoiding oil altogether.  Still, it surprises me how many people in the veg community really get upset by these facts and often express vitriolic skepticism reminiscent of the reactions of those who still eat meat when confronted with evidence of the several reasons to avoid meat.

In his amazing book (my review), "Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition," Dr. T. Colin Campbell (co-author of "The China Study" about his discoveries managing history's largest study on diet and researcher with over 350 mostly peer reviewed scientific articles published) manages to distill his recommendations for the best diet into just 66 words:

"Consume plant-based foods in forms as close to their natural state as possible ("whole" foods).  Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, and whole grains.  Avoid heavily processed foods and animal products.  Stay away from added salt, oil, and sugar.  Aim to get 80 percent of your calories from carbohydrates, 10 percent from fat, and 10 percent from protein."  (p. 07)

He calls it the "Whole Foods Plant-Based" diet (WFPB).  Dr. Campbell is part of a growing chorus and scientific consensus, spearheaded in part (but not exclusively), by Drs. Caldwell Esselstyn (reversing heart disease), Neal Barnard (reversing diabetes), and John McDougall, about the incredible protective and curative effects of a WFPB diet.

So, imagine how delighted I was to receive a copy of his daughter's new book, "The China Study Cookbook" (by LeAnne Campbell, Phd.).  Without mincing words, I have to acknowledge up front, that it's a marvelous effort.  Many of the beauties of this cookbook are subtle, but having been through the fires of writing a WFPB-based cookbook myself, I'm able to recognize the incredible thought, creativity, and mindfulness that Leanne has put into her book.  It is worthy of the statement on the front cover, the "Official Companion to The China Study."

Chock full of over 120 recipes, "The China Study Cookbook" is more than a cookbook.  Although that might sound cliche, it truly isn't.  The book is beautifully organized and well-structured, providing a lot of detailed information about diet and disease, nutrition, stocking your pantry, storage and preparation of food, tips on using no oil and less sugar and salt, substitutions, raising children to consume a WFPB diet, transitioning to a WFPB diet, and even recommended "Chef's Tools"...  all of this BEFORE you get to the recipes!! 

The recipes are listed by category in the Table of Contents, which is excellent, and the Index is based on ingredients.  This has all been very well thought out.  For my own self-published book, I spent at least a month working on a Recipes Index and an Ingredients Index.  Why?  Just as Leanne undoubtedly knew, they save time and effort in searching for what you want to cook and how to do it.  Also worth noting: the recipe categories are: Breads & Muffins, Breakfast Dishes, Appetizers & Salads, Soups, Sandwiches, Entrees, Side Dishes, and Desserts.  

Leanne engaged her whole family to assist with this project.  That she's a busy mother AND a very busy professional (as her father proudly notes in the "Foreward") shows in the construction of the recipes as well as she's, ahem, taken the time to note the estimate "Preparation Time" for each recipe.  There are also "icons" under the title of each recipe that represent one of 8 categories of whole plants: Fruits, Grains, Leaves, Roots, Legumes, Flowers, Nuts, and Mushrooms.  A most useful approach.

So, by now you might be thinking "get to the main issue, Mark, how are the recipes?" 

I found them to be creative, designed with obvious care, and extremely well written such that a novice in the plant-based kitchen will have no trouble making very very tasty dishes.  That these are so delicious is a real testimony to Leanne's ability.  Many of the WFPB recipes with no-oil, etc., in some of the other cookbooks I've read are, well, sometimes bland, derivative of others, and don't show the attention to detail and care that these do.  Accustomed to seeing lesser efforts (not always, but too often), I was pleasantly surprised by how excellent and diverse her recipes are.

BOTTOM LINE: as a vegan for 12 years (vegetarian for 20 years before that), no-oil for 7 years, from being a cookbook author AND proud owner of some 500+ cookbooks (at last count, that's probably an underestimate), I do NOT hesitate to recommend this book.  

It will be quite useful to anyone wanting to explore a WFPB diet, and especially for busy professionals and Moms everywhere who want to make the healthiest meals possible for their families.  This book and versatile recipes will be of great help to anyone wanting move towards on a new path of true health, without the degenerate diseases Modern Science unfortunately believes are inevitable.

As her father (and others) have proven they are not inevitable, LeAnne and her family have proven how to implement his recommendations with style, taste, enjoyment, and ease.

This is truly a unique and important contribution to the growing Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet movement, and I sincerely hope that she finds the time to produce another cookbook.  Finally, I've a hopeful hunch there's a lot more yet to be seen from all the Campbells!  What a family!!

CONTEST RESULTS! Congratulations to Jim Olichwier for winning the luck of the draw and a copy of the China Study Cookbook!

SPECIAL CONTEST: Dr. Campbell's publisher, BenBella Books, is sponsoring a FREE giveaway of this book to the winner (selected at random) of the following contest.  To enter, leave a comment below describing why you are interested in an WFPB diet and what prompted your interested in it as well as this book.  Be sure to include your e-mail address (won't be shown).  Deadline for comments:  Tuesday, February 25th, 11:59 pm est.

Below are two recipes from "The China Study Cookbook" that help showcase Dr. Campbell's considerable "chops!"  All are ©2013 by LeAnne Campbell.

 

SCRUMPTIOUS BAKED VEGETABLES WITH FRESH SPINACH

Preparation Time:  25 minutes   Baking Time:  20 minutes

Makes 6-8 Servings

 

FOR THE BAKED VEGETABLES:

1 medium onion, sliced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and julienned

1 sweet potato, cut into bit-sized pieces

1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/2 pound mushrooms

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 medium zucchini, sliced

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Sea salt and black pepper

8 cups fresh spinach

2 cups cooked brown rice

 

FOR THE SAUCE:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup almond slivers

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice  [I used lemon juice]

1 teaspoon thyme, dried

1 teaspoon basil, dried

1 teaspoon rosemary, dried

1 clove garlic, minced

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Prepare all vegetables except the spinach and place in a large baking pan lined with parchment paper.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.  Bake vegetables for 20 minutes.

2) While vegetables are cooking, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.

3) Place spinach in a large serving bowl.  Combine cooked vegetables and sauce.  Serve warm over spinach and brown rice.

[MSS NOTES:  a versatile recipe that can easily be modified to fit with the veggies in your 'frig.  I like the sauce used, as well as the idea of putting the roasted veggies over spinach (which will wilt the spinach quite nicely).  This recipe shows a generic approach to cooking veggies without oil and, imho, is a very important one.  A variation of her method was my "go to" during some of the busiest periods of my recent life, and now that I've got the sauce recipe, yeeha!]

 

APPLE GINGERBREAD UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Preparation Time:  20 minutes    Baking Time:  35 to 40 minutes

Makes 8 Servings

1/2 cup water, divided

3 medium MacIntosh (or other tart) apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2/3 cup molasses

2 egg replacers (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal with 6 tablespoons water)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2) Put apples in medium saucepan with 1/4 cup water.  Cover and cook 3-4 minutes over medium heat, until soft.  Add maple syrup and stir to combine.

3) In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt.  Set aside.

4) In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, molasses, egg replacers, vanilla, and 1/4 cup water.  Add to dry ingredients and mix well.

5) Spread cooked apple-maple syrup mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9x9 nonstick baking dish.  Pour batter over apples.

6) Bake uncovered for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the gingerbread comes out clean.

7) While cake is still warm, place a serving plate over cake pan and carefully turn the cake over so it comes out onto the plate.  Serve warm.

[MSS NOTES:  if you're missing a few of the spices, add a little bit more of the ones you do have.  Great recipe that proves you don't need fat and a lot of sugar to make a fine and delectable dessert.]

Review of "Whole" (Campbell) & FREE Giveaway of Same

Books that significantly change your life don't come around all that too often.  A handful of the ones that come to mind for me are "The Mad Cowboy," by Howard Lyman, "Diet for a Small Planet," (Francis Moore Lappe), "Diet for a New America," (John Robbins) "Vegan Planet," (Robin Robertson), "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease," (Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn), and "The China Study" (Dr. T. Colin Campbell). 

I was most intrigued when receiving a copy of "Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition" by Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Howard Jacobson.  I mean, can they possibly top "China Study" in impact, new nutritional realities, dietary insight, and health perspectives?

I read the book twice, in part in preparation for my interview the co-author (yet to be transcribed and published due to technical problems), and primarily as it's a stunning read.  Comparing "China Study" to "Whole" would be folly.  They are two entirely different masterpieces.  The 1st, a very detailed technical scientific report, if you will, from the Director of history's largest study on diet.  It's how, why, and what it means.  The indisputable (in my mind at least) conclusion that animal casein facilitates and enables cancer and heart disease (among other health problems), is mind-blowing. 

"Whole" however, is more philosophical in tone, a more accessible read (thanks to the co-author), and in many ways, a summation of what Dr. Campbell has learned from the experiences of the China Study, his entire career, the media tour, the medical industrial establishment, and is a finely tuned critique of the problems that keep people from embracing the demonstrable restorative and preventative value of a whole foods plant-based diet (WFPB).  It chronicles this stellar scientist's journey from the highest government and academic levels of health-related research, his early "daze" of reductionism, to now embracing a "wholistic" view of nutrition and what that means for society.  

Dr. Campbell's paradigm isn't new:  mystics, philosophers, new age practitioners, and quantum physicists, as but a few examples, have all embraced the concepts of everything being interconnected and synergistic in processes where the "whole" is greater than the sum of the parts.

What IS new, however, is Dr. Campbell's superbly trained mind and powerful insight carefully, and with a surgeon's precision, dissecting all the mistaken perspectives/values/money spent in research, corporations, the health care industry, government, and mass media, until the conclusion he presents is inescapable.  He points out tirelessly, how the collective reductionist paradigm is not solving our health problems, but in fact, make things worse.

One of the most stunning revelations in this book is the (soon to be infamous) study by a colleague of his on the amount of Vitamin C in a single apple.

"...the specific chemical we refer to as vitamin C accounts for much less than 1 percent of the vitamin C-like activity in the apple --- a minuscule amount.  The other 99-plus percent of this activity ["an astounding 236 times as potent as the same amount of the isolated chemical!"] is due to other vitamin C-like chemicals in the apple, the possible ability of vitamin C to be much more effective in context of the whole apple than it is when consumed in an isolated form, or both."  (p. 153)

With 4.5 billion years of evolution, our bodies have developed the means to extract exactly what it needs from plants,in both quality and quantity, and synergistically build on that input to nutrients and vitality superior to the original input.  An absolutely fascinating discovery and it has a wide range of implications in regards to nutrition and human diet/health.  

WFPB: the summarized prudent dietary strategy, as exemplified in Dr. Campbell's summation (see below) is to, in my words, consume as diverse and many multi-colored vegetable, fruit and plant-based foods as you can, and let your body figure out what to use, and dispose of.

Dr. Campbell's marvelously succinct description of what his and other's research is that the best diet you can effect follows:

"Consume plant-based foods in forms as close to their natural state as possible ("whole" foods).  Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, and whole grains.  Avoid heavily processed foods and animal products.  Stay away from added salt, oil, and sugar.  Aim to get 80 percent of your calories from carbohydrates, 10 percent from fat, and 10 percent from protein."  (p. 07)

Everyone should memorize the above words, as they are subtle in text, but profound in terms of your health. 

Furthermore, Dr. Campbell, as does Dr. Neal Barnard in "Power Foods for the Brain," comes down hard on the issue of supplements.  Not how the body works.  They are ill-considered, make no sense from a wholistic paradigm's perspective, and can easily cause more harm than good.  Ironic that a few weeks ago the Feds came out with a major study saying that supplements have no serious benefit (other than B12, maybe Vitamin D on occasion).  It's a reductionist view that we can add "X" to get "Y." 

I could go on for "pages and pages" about this superb effort. The old story of blind men studying an elephant was so incredibly apt for what he wanted to explain.  Modern scientific research (and funding) is akin to these individuals attempting to comprehend what an elephant is by, for example, studying the ears, or just the trunk.  Marvelous way to explain what's going on and why this approach is conceptually myopic. 

"I can't think of a better metaphor to highlight the big problem with scientific research today.  Except that instead of six blind men, modern science tasks 60,000 researchers to examine the elephant, each through a different lens... [the] researchers don't talk to one another or acknowledge that the overall goal of the exploration is to perceive and appreciate the whole elephant."  (p. 851, 853) 

Suffice it to say, it you want to understand WHY we are in the health mess we're in, the implications, the waste of time and money focusing on genetics, and the incredible curative and preventative value of a WFPB diet, this book is mandatory reading.  This book is a magnum opus: the culmination of over 50 years of the highest level of scientific research (both government and academia) and the brilliance of a man who's internal integrity forced him to question his previous assumptions and follow the truth as it unfolded.  People, he's published over 350 mostly peer-reviewed studies.

He has the cojone to lay out his life's efforts and show how he was wrong, and what he's come to understand from the realities in his subsequent research and deliberate integration into what it all truly means.  A totally thoughtful, intelligent, and unassailable analysis of the "disease-caring" industry and why it must change.  He is, indeed, "re-thinking" nutrition with the scientific caliber of few alive today.  His perspectives demand attention.

I'm just so impressed.  It's a wonderful read, and I recommend it highly for anyone who wants a "whole" view of the problems of health in our society, and particularly, for any health professional who REALLY wants to help people help themselves, as well as the individual who wants to foster good health, knowing that a WFPB diet will get them there. 

And yes, this book has had a major impact on how I view the world, health, diet, and society.  Somehow, for me, he's done it twice with his first two books, and I dearly hope there's more to come.  IMHO, there needs to be two statues in front of the National Institute of Health: one of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (whom Dr. Campbell notes did one of the most incredible research studies ever accomplished, reversing heart disease), and Dr. Campbell himself.

These are two scientists that should be put out in front of the building to inspire future researchers and remind us (and everyone entering and exiting that prestigious institution), that true revolutions in thinking and saving human lives are not always loud or corporate-funded, but they can be quietly persistent, and "whole."  The work of both of these individuals has the potential of saving, literally, millions of lives from long-term degenerative diseases that need not exist.

With "Whole," Dr. Campbell provides a deeply penetrating, experienced, and encompassing "thought umbrella" to understand how to avoid the mis-information raining down on use from media, government, corporate, and academic sources, and instead, shine with the time-tested knowledge of how a whole foods plant-based diet can cure, prevent, and promote a truly healthy life.  I cannot recommend this book any more highly than I just have (especiall to all medical students or anyone involved with health and nutrition).  With regards to Dr. Campbell's two books, IMHO, lightning has, indeed, struck twice.

"• What you eat every day is a far more determinant of your health than your DNA or most of the nasty chemicals lurking in your environment

• The foods you consume can heal you faster and more profoundly than the most expensive prescription drugs, and more dramatically than the most extreme surgical interventions, with only positive side effects.

• It's never too late to start eating well."  (p06) 

My sincere thanks to BenBella (publishers of "Whole" and many other fine books) for sending me a copy for review, as well as offering to sponsor the giveaway of a FREE copy of "Whole" for the lucky winner.

RULES:  leave a comment on this blog (w/ e-mail address) telling us the most important event, book, person, whatever, that enabled your epiphany to give up animal protein and embrace a plant-based diet.  Doesn't have to be long, spelling won't count!  Deadline for entries is Tuesday, February 11th, 11:59pm est.  The winner will be selected at random.  I'll send the winner an e-mail requesting a physical mailing address on the 12th.

Go for it!

[Extra Credit:  check out Dr. Don Wagner's excellent interview with Dr. Campbell about "Whole" from last month.  Available (free) as a streaming/downloadable audio here.]

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!  Here's what she wrote to earn her free hardback copy.

"Hello, my name is Monica Cameli and I am 56 years old and when I was 7 years old, my mother remarried and we went to visit my new step dads brother on a farm. My sister and I went with our new cousins who were the same age as us to the 'slaughter house'. I had no idea what we were walking in to. Every time I tell this story, I can see it, smell it, and hear the animals crying for their lives! That experience is what started me on my vegan journey. It's taken many years to figure out how to eat right, though. Thankfully, I've heard Dr. Esselstyn speak twice and have read many good books within the last few years to help me along in this journey.."

Next week: a review and free giveaway of "The China Study Cookbook!"

All-Creatures Review of "Heart Healthy Pizza"

The All Creatures Website has been around for OVER 15 years! One of the original vegan, animal rights websites, it is chockful of recipes, news, reviews, and information.  An obvious labor of love by the Mary and Frank Hoffman Foundation (who've supported and donated to many very important animal rights/vegan documentaries and projects over the past decade and a half), it's old school in design, but still retains its timeliness in content, heart, and spirituality.

I'm honored that they recently reviewed my book here.  An excerpt:

"The thing we like best about Heart Healthy Pizza are the wonderfully different ideas for making heart healthy vegan pizza; things that we hadn't even thought of in our decades of creating healthful vegan recipes, and publishing them on our web site."

The Recipes (with photos) section of this website is extraordinary and one of the first truly comprehensive collections of vegan recipes and animal rights information on the web.  Think about it:  15 years ago this was a godsend. It was still amazing and vital resource to many of us struggling forward without the plethora of vegan cookbooks, websites, blogs, and social media sources available these days to help people eat healthier and vegan.  By all means, check this out!  They've obviously influenced many a recent vegan cookbook author (including, I'm proud to say, yours truly!).  Lord knows how many people they've helped with their web and financial resources.

And while you're at it, check out their newsletter, and pass the link on to someone you know.  This is from two of the original groundbreakers, those who were swimming against society's tide long before many of us had our first tofu burger!  You want to see how far we've come and why? here's one of the reasons: They showed us the true power of the Internet, long before anyone else in the movements!  Explore, learn, enjoy, and marvel at their dedicated and altruistic efforts.  Thank God for all they've done, and I for one, will always be appreciative.  They were a digital oasis in a lonely world at the time, and I'll never forget the comfort I gained from spending time on their website.  Kudos!

VeggieSue's Review of "Heart Healthy Pizza!"

"While I haven't made that particular pie of his (yet), I have made others, and they beat anything you'll find in the grocer's freezer by miles and are perfectly fine to eat on any plant-based food plan, whether it's Dr. McDougall's, Dr. Fuhrman's or even the more restrictive Dr. Esselstyn's, and everything in-between."

From VeggieSue's Veggie Adventures. I'd gotten lazy and did a web search to find the name of my own video channel (that's what fatigue does to you), and found her short, but cool review of my cookbook!  Sue's also a long-time member of the Fat Free Vegan Yahoo Group, and also, I think, the Eat to Live Yahoo Group.

Thanks, Sue!

"Mad Cowboy Pizza" Recipe, Giveaway, & Short Interview

Somer has outdone herself w/ photos illustrating the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza from my cookbook, "Heart Healthy Pizza."  Back in 2008, Howard actually worked with me in the kitchen, instructing me as to what (and in what order) he wanted on his vegan pizza.  It was great sport!  BTW: by going "no oil" in addition to his already vegan, he's lost considerable weight since then.

©2013 by Vedgedout (note the cheese-like dollops!)

Anyway, at Somer's Vedgedout Blog you'll find several photos of the creation process, all associated recipes, a short interview with yours truly, and a free giveaway of an autographed copy of Heart Healthy Pizza!

" A slice of Mad Cowboy Pizza coming atcha!" - ©2013 by Vedgedout

Well worth your time... have fun! And my thanks to Somer for her excellent (and hard) work.

HHPizza Cookbook Giveaway, Recipes, & Review by Vedgedout

©2013 by Vedgedout

A wonderful post of recipes for my "Spanakopizza" creation, a giveaway of my cookbook, and Part 1 of her review of said book.  Somer has posted some fine photos, too, showing her pizza in different stages. Here's a favorite part of her review:

"I have to admit, when I first dug into Mark’s Book, I was a little overwhelmed. There are nearly a dozen crust recipes (including some for my GF peeps!) Close to 20 sauce recipes (for the pizza base), then more than 50 No-Nonsense  Non-Cheese Sauces. I mean, the combinations are nearly endless. It all felt a bit daunting! Thankfully, Mark knows how to help a home cook out, he devotes a whole chapter to some amazing pizza combinations (nearly 40 combos) to help you get started. All of the recipes in his book are vegan, heart healthy and very low in fat. Several of the combinations immediately caught my eye. However, this Spanakopizza recipe that Mark is sharing with you today is going to be hard to beat."

©2013 by Vedgedout

Her next post (this coming Friday) will have the full recipes for the Official Mad Cowboy Pizza (that Howard Lyman designed with me) and an interview with yours truly!  Stay tuned...

Heart Healthy Pizza: Review by Lani Muelrath ("Fit Quickies") & Sauces Versatility

Early in February, Lani Muelruth posted a short review of my book on Amazon (here).  I was convalescing in a hospital at the time and didn't find out about this until a few days ago.  I'm honored!  Lani, aka, "The Plant-Based Fitness Expert," has been making quite a well-deserved name for herself recently, in no small part due to the success of her book, "Fit Quickies: 5 Minute Targeted Body-Shaping Workouts."  Here's what she had to say about "Heart Healthy Pizza:"

"Mark Sutton's Healthy Pizza is beyond innovative. When seeking to create a pizza that is outside the usual pizza box of high fat, full of dairy or meat, one is usually left to their own devices.

No more. Mark has created a book with guaranteed healthful sauces and toppings that can stake their claim in the 'whole foods, plant based healthy' world. And with endorsements by Caldwell Esselstyn, you know you can trust the contents to be heart healthy.

His sauce recipes also inspire versatile application. I made one of the sauces last night to put over a salad and it was perfect! Rice, nutritional yeast, and a few other elements made a robust and tasty sauce. Next is to tackle the crust recipes, which are not wanting. Nice work Mark!"

Clever cook!  Only in recent months, when I've had chance to test the idea of using some of the 60 "cheese-like" topping sauces on pasta, in casseroles, on veggies, on potatoes, in quesadillas, etc., did I affirm that, generically, pretty much all of them can be used this way and NOT just on top of pizza (or underneath the vegetable fillings, depending upon whether you are a "top" or "bottom" person).

I mention the possibility briefly in my book, but the process is simply to use leftover sauce (maybe thinned a bit) to, say, integrate with stir-fried vegetables until it gets creamy.  Or, pre-heat the sauce in a sauce pan until it thickens, and then use in any number of ways.

However, Lani figured it out and I appreciate not only her succinct and great review, but noting how "versatile" the recipes are.  Thanks Lani!

You can learn more about Lani and her work at:  http://www.lanimuelrath.com/

...and, you can order an autographed copy of "Heart Health Pizza" here!

"Thai" Issue of Vegan Culinary Experience is Available!

 

VCE Cover (click for larger image)

I'm proud to have an article in the latest issue of the Vegan Culinary Experience.  The theme of this issue is "Thai Cuisine" and it was a challenge for me, taking several attempts to get the crusts right, as Thai food is not one of my strongest suits.  I wrote an article detailing how to make a "Pad Thai Pizza Pie" and a "Heavenly Pineapple Pie." Here's the structural overview of each pizza:

PAD THAI PIZZA PIE

• Brown Rice, Chickpea, and Cilantro Crust
• Sweet 'n' Spicy Chili Corn Sauce
• Filling Ingredients:
- sliced cucumbers
- shredded carrots
- sweet red pepper strips or slices
- bean sprouts (rinsed and drained)
- sliced scallions
- raisins (optional)
• MIllet, Ginger, Peanut, and Lime Sauce

HEAVENLY PINEAPPLE PIZZA

• Whole Wheat, Millet, and Banana Crust
• Tofu, Coconut, Mint, and Lime Sauce
• Rum‐soaked Pineapple
• Unsweetened, Shredded Coconut
• Red Chili Pepper Flakes (optional)

Click on Image for Larger Version

Chef Jason Wyrick does a marvelous job doing the layouts for each issue, let alone adding additional content beyond that of invited Chefs:

http://veganculinaryexperience.com/VCEFeb13.pdf

At over 200 pages, this magazine will give you a greater understanding of Thai Cuisine as well as a ton of recipes to try and enjoy! Contributers for this edition are:

Jason Wyrick, http://www.devilspice.com and http://www.veganculinaryexperience.com
Madelyn Pryor, http://www.badkittybakery.blogspot.com/
Bryanna Clark Grogan, http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/
Robin Robertson, http://www.robinrobertson.com
Mindy Kursban, [email protected]
Jill Nussinow, http://www.theveggiequeen.com
Liz Lonetti, http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/profile/LizDan
Sharon Valencik, http://www.sweetutopia.com
Andrew Breslin, http://andyrantsandraves.blogspot.com/
Milan Valencik, http://www.sweetutopia.com
Mark Sutton, http://www.hearthealthypizza.com
Eleanor Sampson, [email protected]