This booked helped me understand how to make a vegan meal, which is helpful when cooking for vegan friends or just to make a healthy meal. However, I would prefer recipes that relied less on pre-packaged food, since healthier options exist.

As a vegan I have read a LOT of vegan books. I actually even have a certificate in plant-based nutrition. I went vegan for my health and pride myself on the research I have done on vegan nutrition. That being said I was highly disappointed in this book. The description made it seem like there would be a ton of science-based nutrition information but the majority was the same stuff but less informative that other books I've read. If I wasn't vegan already this book wouldn't have provided me with anything that would make me want to go vegan, in fact I would have thought that it would be too hard to meet all my nutritional needs from a plant-based diet. The recipes included are also very basic, some just replacing meat, dairy, or egg with a plant-based version (ie. plant-based milk instead of what would traditionally be dairy milk, vegan butter for what would traditionally be dairy butter.

There are two thing I did like a lot about this book. The first being the section on how to veganize almost any recipe. For a new vegan this would help them adapt their current recipes to a plant-based diet. The other thing I REALLY liked about this book, and I honestly wish more books had this, were pictures in the recipes. There are step by step picture guides that I feel would be a bonus for anyone making these recipes.

Overall, I really wanted to like this book but didn't. I feel that there are many other books out there that have evidence-based nutrition information in more detail and provide a better understanding for new vegans or those interested in learning more about a plant-based diet. My favourites include Vegan for Life, Starch Solution, and Forks Over Knifes.

*Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As the back cover says, if you are looking for a beautiful, artfully-designed coffee table book of fancy recipes, this book is not it.

If you are looking for a scientifically backed analysis of a vegan diet, and no nonsense, sensible suggestions for how to go about a healthy vegan diet, this book will set you in the right direction.

I would describe myself as a vegetarian, and have been for over 20 years. I'm a vegan at home because I can control my food better, but I don't want to be that picky eater when out, so I will eat cheese (no other meat or animal products). I'm pleased to see the increase in veganism and that more people are able to make that choice through better availability of resources (like this book!) and more easily available ingredients.

The first maybe quarter or so of this book is really good, scientifically backed information about veganism, what is and isn't possibly thought diet alone, and sources for where to fill those deficiencies. I really enjoyed reading this part - the language was simple, easy to follow and referenced with sources.

The remainder of the book was the author's own recipes. I'll be honest and say they're not to my taste. I found them too reliant on packaged ingredients, and heavily U.S based (totally fair since that is where the author is based). Having said that, the recipes are good, simple cooking and I'd probably make most of them, just tweaking to my own taste and removing lots of the processed ingredients and subbing for something else. I love her language and that she writes the way normal people would cook (I especially enjoyed her quantity suggestions; I'm also a huge garlic lover and would eat them in giant quantities too!).

It's not a fancy book, but it's straightforward, candid and honest. It does have a bit of a 'self published' vibe, but I have the e-reader version so that might just be me.

A refreshingly candid take on veganism. This variation on a cookbook doesn't preach, mock, or dig itself into nonsensical pseudo-science instead simply offering up balanced and clearly reasonable methods for anyone interested in both the ethical, social, and health aspect of a vegan diet.

Arguments for veganism, what to do when you are becoming vegan, meeting your nutritional needs, and plenty of recipes. Some recipes require some kitchen tools I don't own, so I won't be trying them. Others can be done is most kitchens. Also has some great starter info on what to do with preparing certain vegetables, and swaps to make any recipe vegan.

I freely received it to read on Netgalley. It is good for a free book, not a wow one but you can find a few interesting things. It is a funny book, at least written in a funny way so it is different.