In The Kind Diet, actress, activist, and committed conservationist Alicia Silverstone shares the insights that encouraged her to swear off meat and dairy forever, and outlines the spectacular benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, from effortless weight loss to clear skin, off-the-chart energy, and smooth digestion. She explains how meat, fish, milk, and cheese—the very foods we’ve been taught to regard as the cornerstone of good nutrition—are actually the culprits behind escalating rates of disease and the cause of dire, potentially permanent damage to our ecology. Yet going meat- and dairy-free doesn’t mean suffering deprivation; to the contrary, The Kind Diet introduces irresistibly delicious food that satisfies on every level—it even includes amazing desserts to keep the most stubborn sweet tooth happy. Alicia also addresses the nutritional concerns faced by many who are new to a plant-based diet, and shows how to cover every nutritional base, from protein to calcium and beyond. Alicia knows that changing life-long dietary habits is a process, and that each person progresses at a different pace. For that reason, The Kind Diet encompasses 3 separate levels, from Flirting to Superhero. Flirts learn to dip a toe into the vegan pool, reducing their meat-eating and swapping out a few key foods for plant-based substitutes to see quickly how even small changes can reap big results. Vegans get to experience the life-altering effects of forgoing animal-products entirely, while still enjoying many convenience foods and meat substitutes in addition to the wonderful grains, vegetables and fruits that form the core of that diet. True enlightenment comes with the Superhero program, based on the principles of macrobiotics and built on a foundation of whole grains, vegetables, and other yummy foods that Alicia describes in detail.
Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds, boost your energy and metabolism, or simply save the world, Alicia provides the encouragement, the information, and the tools you need to make the transition to a plant-based diet deliciously empowering.
A Winner!October 13, 2009 Eco-Friendly Feng Shui Designer 94 out of 101 found this review helpful
The title: The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet, by Alicia Silverstone, says it all. The plant-based diet, according to Silverstone (and a few doctors quoted) will improve your health, help prevent disease, improve the environment and help you lose weight.
The book begins with Silverstone's personal story. It includes her early attempts at not eating meat, and an unhealthy period when she ate only raw foods.
Then the book discusses the "nasty foods"--meat, dairy, white sugar and processed foods. We learn the many reasons these foods are unhealthy, bad for the planet and bad for animal's welfare.
Next, we learn what the "kind foos" are--notably, whole grains, new proteins, veggies and healthy desserts.
There is a chapter on nutritional FAQ's.
Silverstone gets we are not all ready for a vegan diet, especially if we are used to a diet heavy in meats, dairy and processed foods. So, she presents three levels: flirting, vegan and superhero.
In flirting, she makes recommendations like: go to a vegetarian restaurant and order a dish, buy some vegan products from her "Transitional food chart", and simply recommends we start adding vegan meals into our diets.
In vegan, she presents a plan on how to build a meal and a vegan meal plan.
Finally, the superhero level is loosely based on the macrobiotic diet (minus fish,) and features fresh, local and seasonal fare.
Silverstone adds helpful tips, like chew your food really well, what to do about detoxing and cravings and more.
There is a chapter on tips when away from home.
Lifestyle tips is a very short chapter, mentioning things like the importance of reusing and buying secondhand. I would recommend HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to learn how to make your entire home green and beautiful for optimal health.
The book concludes with fantastic looking recipes (I'm a pretty good cook, I can always tell.) They recipes are divided into vegan and superhero.
Even if you are not committed to a full time vegan diet, I highly recommend this book--just start with the flirting and see where it takes you.
Flirting with veganism, totally turned on by macrobiotics!October 15, 2009 M. Lanstra(Real World) 50 out of 53 found this review helpful
Ok, so I've been flirting with vegetarianism/veganism for a while and now have been gathering a rather extensive vegan cookbook library (it's become a bit of a compulsion)... and have been waiting with baited breath for this book to get to my door.
It came yesterday while I was home sick, and I read the entire book in one sitting.
I'm in love. While this book is simply based on Alicia's life experiences and observations, for the most part (with facts backed up by research sprinkled about)... something about she says speaks to me.
All the veg cookbooks I've been getting still had so many processed food items in them... I didn't know that what I was really craving was macrobiotics. I've always believed that eating foods in a more natural, whole state were better for you, but didn't realize it was an actual named practice... I thought regular ol' veganism was the way to go, but it didn't quite speak to me the way this book did.
The part I really enjoyed was the discussion about exercise, and her assertation that she wants EVERYTHING she does in life to be enjoyable. Amen, sister. We only go round in this body once, why not make it as enjoyable as possible... not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.
I'd suggest reading this book along with Yoga & Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon. While you may not be into yoga, there are some interesing points of view to consider about the animal industries, if you are still on the fence about your eating choices...
I'd recommend this book to anyone who just wants to take a look at their life, consider the alternatives and figure out how to make life simpler... simple= less stress, and who couldn't use less of that?
Inspiring Vegan RecipesOctober 16, 2009 Norma Lehmeierhartie(New York, USA) 31 out of 35 found this review helpful
I am not a vegan/vegetarian, as I do eat meat (free range, organic) and dairy sparingly. However, I do eat lots of vegan and vegetarian foods and am always on the lookout for good recipes.
The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet, by Alicia Silverstone, is filled with many great looking recipes. While I have not tried them yet, as a former professional chef, it is obvious to me when I look at a recipe what will taste good.
The book is more than a collection of recipes, however. Silverstone shares her story with food. The book describes what is "nasty" about dairy and meat; what is "kind" about plant based foods.
There are three meal plans--for those "flirting," "vegans," and "superheroes." Silverstone claims to eat 80% of the time her superhero foods, 20% vegan.
I find her passion for vegan food to be inspiring. While I am not ready to embrace it--I am flirting--I am thrilled to have so many delicious-sounding recipes to try.
Highly recommend.
A True WinnerOctober 15, 2009 Robert Fripp 19 out of 21 found this review helpful
Alicia Silverstone really lays it out nicely in this entertaining book. A plant-based diet is not only healthy, but compassionate as well. With this book, becoming vegan does not seem as scary as your parents would have you believe. Cut out the animal products at your own pace, feel great, have more energy, and have the peace of mind that your choices are helping the earth and reducing the suffering of sentient animals. Thanks Alicia!
The Kind BookOctober 19, 2009 E. Jones(Indianapolis, IN) 9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I read about this book coming out on [...] and ran right to Barnes and Nobles to get it. First off, it's a beautiful book with lovely pictures of food and vegan spreads that are artistic and enticing. I also really enjoyed the tone and the laid-back approach to transitioning, as well as all the information on eating a macrobiotic diet. It's got a lot of information presented in a nice, summarized way. And the recipes look fantastic with things like Peanut Butter Cups and appetizing pasta and fruit dishes.
There are lots of vegan books that go into extreme detail about why a vegan diet is healthier, more humane, and the best option. And while Silverstone is certainly proud of her veganism, she accepts that people are human and that we all change at our own pace. This is the book I would point to if any of my friends ask questions about my diet as it is the least in-your-face book with a good dose of passion mixed in. It isn't self-righteous at all, but very informative.
I think, out of any of the numerious vegan books and cookbooks I have collected, this book does the best job of presenting veganism as something that you can be excited about with the benefits you find in it for yourself, the earth, and what you find on your plate.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
