You know how it is. You switch to a plant-based diet and you get educated; you arm yourself with the data that informs your decision to eat healthfully and mindfully. You read The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. – it pisses you off to no end – and then you grab a copy of Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. M.D. and you see the medical establishment in a whole new light. You wonder if they are really trying to heal you. You want everyone you know to watch Forks Over Knives (and Earthlings and Food, Inc. and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead), because you know in your heart that if they do, their lives will be changed for the better forever. You realize you can not un-know what you’ve learned. You now know that there is “food” and there is food. One kind harms and the other kind heals and nourishes. You now know that animals are creatures with their own desires, needs and fates that have nothing to do with our desires and needs. You understand all about “locally-grown,” “organic,” and “whole food” and you avoid “factory farm,” “GMO,” and “processed.” Even if you think you know everything you need to about a plant-based diet – there’s room on your nightstand for one more life-altering book: Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight. Written in a straight-forward, open, engaging and incredibly personal way, it would be difficult to close the cover of this book and not feel the need to walk into the pantry and discard every processed, artificial, fatty, sugary and salty item lurking on the shelves.
So, instead of drugs or surgery, I took another path that would change the course of my life forever. I used diet. I figured that if my food choices could cause or at least greatly contribute to this disease, would it not be possible for better food choices to reverse it? – Chef AJ
Here’s the thing about this book. The facts are in there. But because they are presented within Chef AJ’s personal experience it’s a bit like (pardon the expression…) taking a spoonful of sugar along with the medicine. She’s totally approachable, totally us. She begins by chronicling the story of a body completely out of whack, a body addicted to processed food and suffering the consequences. Some of us have had a similarly bumpy, trying and scary road. Some of us just got curious about what we were putting into our bodies.
My best advice to you is to just do something. Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything. Optimum health exists in a continuum and even small, incremental changes made consistently over time can still be of great benefit. – Chef AJ
After sharing her life story (including a gig on The Tonight Show involving flutes and bubble gum), Chef AJ spends time debunking the many myths and YABBUTs about whole food-based eating such as time, cost, difficulty, puzzled/hurt/angry family members, etc. This would be a very handy book to have on hand when you have a crew of skeptics coming over for dinner. You can demonstrate how easy it is to prepare healthy meals – and with no funky, hard-to-find ingredients. She writes about navigating the grocery store and how to fill your ‘frige, freezer and pantry with health-giving food and offers tips on how to begin and what to eat when dining out. You’ll find both raw and cooked recipes here.
Remember, the ONLY thing that works for addiction is complete and total abstinence. Moderation does not work for an addict. – Chef AJ
Her book is a kind of detox manual which will rid your body of its addictions to salt, sugar and fat. Her recipes allow the flavors of the whole food ingredients to shine through and the best part is (at least for me) that these are simple and generally quick recipes. I love that! I want to eat well and I want to eat nutrient-dense food, but I really don’t want to spend hours preparing every meal.
I don’t know anyone who has regretted trying an unprocessed diet.
– Chef AJ
Be aware that there is minimal instruction with each of Chef AJ’s recipes. She – unlike me – is blessed with being able to create delicious food without exacting measurements. She explains that she also does not include servings per recipe because if you avoid processed foods in your diet you can eat as much whole food as you want; whole foods fill you up and leave you craving-free. And… there are no photos, save for a few on the back cover. If you are a visual type and need to know what the end result should look like, this may prove challenging for you. I don’t have a problem with it – I just love food photo porn. Bottom line is this is an inspirational book that just may give you the nudge you need to make positive changes for your life and health. The recipes are not complicated and the ingredients won’t have you endlessly trolling the Internet. Hey, she starts the (100+) recipe section with Desserts – how could you not appreciate that?! Finally, what I like is that Chef AJ is sharing methods – yes, recipes, of course – but this book will arm you with the techniques (like making the pie crust or the date syrup) to help you create your own healthy, unprocessed dishes. I’ve still got lots of cooking and sharing to do so please check back throughout the week.
Now for the best part. Chef AJ has a book to give away and here’s how you can enter for a chance to get it: simply leave a comment on this and any (or all) subsequent posts about Unprocessed letting me know which is your Dark Master, your weakness, your downfall at the grocery store: sugar, salt or fat. Or tell me how a plant-based, whole food diet has changed your life. The more comments you leave, the more times your name will be entered to win. For additional entries, click the Like button at An Unrefined Vegan and/or Virtual Vegan Potluck on Facebook. Just be sure to leave comments there so I know that you are entering the Unprocessed Giveaway. As they say in television, yes, it really is that easy. The Giveaway ends on September 25.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing Chef AJ’s recipe for Lara Bar-like PB & J Bites. Trust me, you’ll never go back to the packaged variety.
The Deets
Title: Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight
Author: Chef AJ (aka Abbie Jaye) with Glen Merzer
Publication Date: 2011
Page Length: 178 pages including 100+ recipes
List Price: $19.95
Publisher: Hale to the Kale Publishing
Websites: www.EatUnprocessed.com; www.chefajshealthykitchen.com
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This is one book I actually don’t own! Would love to have a copy. I’m not a low-fat person, but I do definitely have a tendency to overdo it on the nut butters. Especially if they have salt and/or sugar added!
HI Amber, UNPROCESSED is not a low fat book. Over 50% of the recipes contain nuts and seeds. But not of the recipes contain processed or refined fat or sugar like agave, olive or coconut oil. And of course, no salt.
Hi Amber – thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway – this would be an excellent book to add to your library.
I wish there were a “Love” button! Seriously about to cry. Your review is amazing and so is she. Not entering the giveaway because I have my own copy, but I hope that everyone enters this giveaway! I cannot recommend her book enough. Or better yet, enter, go out and get your own copy and if you win, share the copy you get with someone you love. Everyone should have this book!
<3
Thanks for “introducing” me to Chef AJ! And I think you are right – giving the copy to someone in need would be wonderful!
My downfall used to be fat in the form of Cheerier…one of the worst foods on earth and lucklily I know that now!
Ha! You made positive changes – that’s what counts! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I cant beleieve I don’t have this book! Cheetos(fat) used to be my downfall but luckily now I know better!!
I don’t have this book but I would love to! My downfall is fat, for sure. I’ve been known to eat 1/4-1/2 cup peanut butter in a sitting with an apple. Not to mention whole avocadoes and the coconut cream in the coffee.
Mandy, I feel you! I ADORE nut butters! I’ve really curbed my consumption, but still enjoy them several times a week. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
I’d love to have this book! It’s on my list, but not yet on my shelf. I have so many diet downfalls — but my biggest challenge is time. Convenience food is just that – convenient. And I fall victim to claims and quick and healthy all the time. Only to realize later, that it wasn’t so healthy.
Get an electric pressure cooker. You can make hearty, healthy meals in under 10 minutes.
Hey there, lady! Glad you threw your hat into the giveaway ring. It’s a fantastic book – good luck ;-)!
This book sounds so interesting…I’d love to be entered to win a copy! My weakness is definitely sweets! Thanks for the helpful review.
Consider yourself entered into the contest! Yay! I’m a sweets/sugar gal all the way. It’s a tough monkey to get off of one’s back!
I recently did a vegan challenge for 30 days and loved it! But I didn’t loose any weight. I tried to cut out refined and processed foods but sugar is still a struggle! I would love this book! I am going to keep up the vegan diet as long as I can (which will be for sometime!)
Hi Becca! Congrats on moving to a vegan diet. Once you get into the groove, you’ll be hooked for life. Thanks for entering the contest!
Cant wait to read it. I love chips. Are tortilla chips that bad?? Also, I use oil a lot in cooking which I need to stear away from. Olive oil and coconut oil.
If you really want to know why ALL OIL is so unhealthy and contributes to and causes obesity, heart disease and type II diabetes, Dr. Caldwell B. Essesltyn, Jr. can explain it best to you at http://www.HealthyTasteofLA.com. A single drop of oil impairs blood flow for at least 6 hours after eating. Plus, it’s 4,000 calories a pound and highly addictive, like sugar.
Hi Susan! It’s sad, isn’t it?? I really wanted to believe there were “good” oils out there, but Chef AJ’s book really brought it home.
Great review Annie. Although my diet is largely plant-based, it’s not vegan and so I’m not really entering the competition but I appreciate your post all the same. If choosing between salt, sugar and fat I think it would be sugar that would be my major downfall. I often check out saturated fat content in a product, then salt, and the thing I worry about least is sugar. Whether this makes any sense or not I don’t know, and I’m sure my diet could be healthier, but I do base it around fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I think I’m already my ideal weight, since I’ve weighed the same for the past 20 years or so. I have been told I’m too thin but I think that if your weight stays the same for years on end, give or take a pound or two, surely your body knows what’s what?
I would have guessed that sugar was your thing, Lorna ;-)! As it is mine… And I agree w/ you on the bodyweight deal. I’ve been told I’m too thin as well, but I’ve always been thin, don’t get anywhere near starving myself, feel good and the docs tell me I’m doing okay. So what’s the problem?!
Wow, what a great book review! I went vegan for ethical reasons. But then I began to learn about and experience health benefits, which was like a an extra-credit bonus 🙂
Since going vegan, I’ve eaten far fewer processed foods and have noticed a dramatic decline in my sugar cravings. But I know I could do better, since I still can’t kick the (artificial, yikes!) sweetener from my occasional cup of coffee.
I was all about stevia until reading Chef AJ’s book – have to rethink that one and adjust my taste buds! Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
I would love to have this book! My dark master is bread – it’s taken two years of eliminating things from my diet to figure out that is the hardest for me. I love some of the sprouted breads but I also want to eat all the bad for you soft warm delicious breads as well.Sigh…
Oh man! Do I KNOW what you are talking about! Giving up bread would be…I don’t even want to think about it!
A plant based whole foods diet – when I eat it – absolutely changes my life! Why? Because when I eat that way I have no migraines (or allergies for that matter). It’s a miracle and I am trying to make that my ‘normal’ way of eating all the time. But then there are the dark masters…
PS thanks for entering the giveaway :-)!
Thank YOU for hosting it. 🙂
A great review my friend, admittedly I do not have a huge plant and began based diet, I think this book would help out in general health!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Never hurts to have a variety of cookbooks on one’s shelf!
I’m not sure what category this would be under, but bread would be my biggest downfall. I’d literally pass up a box of the most decadent chocolates or any other delicious dessert for some beautiful French bread and butter. Especially if it was right from the oven.
Your review is wonderful, and touches on many of the reasons about why I’ve changed my diet to a mainly plant-based one. I love the first quote you pulled from Chef AJ! I watched my mother die of cancer, and see so many unhealthy people, even here in hippy, health-conscious Southern California, that I can almost see their money going into big pharma’s pockets. I must admit, not giving the insurance companies and pharma companies my money is a big reason I want to stay healthy! Thanks for the information, and for the opportunity to win the book!
Thanks for entering, Jennifer! I think that’s what gets me – seeing so many unhealthy, unhappy people and knowing that they don’t have to be that way. Let’s hope the word is spreading!
Would love this! 🙂 I have been vegan for a few years and now transitioning to a more healthful version…
It’s always a work in progress, isn’t it ;-)! Thanks for the comment and for entering the giveaway!
OMG, all three. 🙂 But I’m getting better. Always moving toward more and more unprocessed foods 🙂
Haha! Yes, all three. You’ve got it bad, my friend ;-)! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Sugar is my nemesis. After ever meal, I crave sugar, and I hate it. I’m doing well at eating plant-based, but the sugar cravings just aren’t going away for me. So frustrating.
I think that I was set up as a kid – set up to crave sweets after meals – because that’s how we ate. Unfortunately I think Chef AJ is right: only total abstinence from sugar kills the craving. It’s hard!! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
“Liked” both facebook page. already love Chef AJ. she’s awesome! =) So excited to get to know your blog better too! YAY!
Thank you, thank you! I’m so glad you visited, commented and entered the giveaway!
Sugary desserts are my downfall.
Yep. What can I say – I agree!! Thanks, Holly!
I love you cheff AJ you are amazing!!!
🙂 Thanks for commenting, Susannah!
Although I eat a vegan diet, I must say that much of it is in the form of processed foods. I have been doing better though with getting more greens and veggies and fruits and whole grains in my diet. I would love to own this book as I think it would help me to eventually steer clear of processed junk!
This book is for you, for sure!! Best of luck winning the copy!
What a wonderful giveaway, thank you so much for hosting! 🙂
I have been so thankful for the plant-based diet. It has not only opened my eyes to the world around us, but I feel better. I can hear what my body is telling me now that the static and white noise is gone and when I don’t feel well, I can usually pin point exactly what it is. That in itself is amazing to me! Before going plant-based, my downfall was sugar. Now I get that mostly through plants with the occassional organic and free trade dark chocolate. Whereas in the past, I could easily eat a half gallon of ice cream, now I like to opt for an in season fruit such as watermelon or cantaloupe. It is really rather an exciting change! 🙂
I remember a few times when I was in my 20s eating a WHOLE PINT of Haagen Daz ice cream (chocolate chocolate chip) – oh boy! I’ve come such a long way. And I would never go back! Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
You won!! Congratulations! Please email me your address so that I can give it to Chef AJ. My email address is: anunrefinedveganATgmailDOTcom. Yay!
Oh yay! I would love this book! My downfall is bread, pastas, crackers, etc…Oh how they call my name!
A carb junkie! I recognize you ;-)! Thanks, Peggy!
Thank you for hosting the give a way!
My down fall is that I like fried and junk foods. I rarely eat them but I sure want to 😛
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Birgit! Used to love me some McDonald fries but thankfully those cravings have long since passed.
Oh my gosh I need this book!! I’m guessing this won’t be open to international peeps like me so I will have to add this to my wish list!! But, I will tell you anyway that my dark master is alcohol. And then once I’ve had a drink, the wasabi peas come out. Then the vegetable crisps. Let’s not talk about the ice cream and cake. I’m pretty good 75% of the time but I allow myself far too many of the wrong treats. Still, I am the toxic vegan. Maybe I shoulda thought harder on the whole name thing?? Thanks for the fab review lovely Ann 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by, my dear! I’ll ask Chef AJ if she’s willing to ship overseas – why not? And – you know I love you for exactly who you are :-)!
Mwah xx
Coming up on 1 year being plant-strong and I have already achieved my weight and blood work goals! Now it’s time to turn my attention towards sodium, it is that one ingredient that I have made great strides in reducing. No longer am I adding salt to recipes and pay closer attention to ingredients I am buying or adding to a recipe. Chef AJ has some AWESOME recipes that allow us to eat very well, while avoiding the “evil trinity.”
Yay, Stephen!! Awesome progress and results! Thanks for commenting!
Salt is my downfall! I just tried to get this book at my local bookstore but they didn’t have a copy. I would love to win it!
Fingers crossed for you, Courtney! Thanks for commenting!
I would love to have this great book in my library!! today I started my smoothie-juice feast!! love raw living! I also manufacture raw, organic bodycare! it’s a lifestyle!
I can feel your energy right through my computer screen, Paula! Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
My downfall is not unique. It is chocolate. I love all types and it is very difficult for me to resist. Love your brownies by the way!
Mmmmm, chocolate… Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway, Michael!
Here ya go….okay, I’m a newbie. Been eating “mostly” raw for 2 weeks. I could use a lot of help and your book would be wonderful in assisting me. I did get another book from another RAW Expert but found it quite difficult to navigate through. PICK ME, PICK ME!!! Thanks 🙂
🙂 – I’ll be sending positive vibes your way, Barb! Chef AJ’s book would be great for you! Thanks!
Thanks!! Everyone around me thinks Im crazy for wanting to go Vegan…I’m 54 and really really want to change my lifestyle – this book would really give me some of the tools I need to really dig in there and eat a plant based diet, once and for all.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your Take 5 dressing..Please keep those recipes coming…Thank you
Janet – thanks for commenting!
I would love a copy of your book! My friend Rob has done amazing things using your plans, cooking healthy unprocessed foods! I didn’t get a chance to meet you when I was in LA but would love your book! I think this is exactly what I need. I spent 5 weeks at BLR and would love to add this to my arsenal of assault on getting healthy!!! xoxo
Hi Mary! Glad you stopped by to comment and enter the giveaway. Best of luck!
I would love to own copy of this book. I have friends who have been inspired by it. I have been a vegetarian for 12 years, but recently had a colestoral result of 246! I am making the transition to being a vegan – I know owning a copy if this book would be of great benifit.
Tara, thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway. I am positive that Chef AJ’s book will help you reach your health goals!
My major downfall is salty foods. I don’t have a sweet tooth at all but I love love love salty foods. When I started eating a whole foods diet I was shocked to easily lose 30 pounds, get into a healthy weight range for the first time in years, I was never ever bloated, I had more energy and I finally realized what I wanted to do for a living. I’m now a college student on my way to becoming a Registered Dietitian! I would love this book, I can’t wait to read it.
Sarah, that is awesome!! You’ve made amazing progress. Best of luck with your studies and career. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and enter the giveaway.
Yes, I want this book. I need help eating healthy and need recipes to get me there. Thanks for offerint such a great give-away.
I’m so glad you found it! Appreciate you commenting and entering the giveaway.
I would love to win this book!
Hey Andrea! Rooting for you ;-)!
Honestly, i have been wanting to get this for awhile now but still havnt.I corrected my eating and now would love to absorb all i can with this book!
Hi Jason, so glad you stopped by to comment and enter the giveaway. You will love having this book! Best of luck!
Great giveaway! Between you and Somer, I’m convinced that I need this book. 🙂 I would say I have more of a sweet tooth than anything, but I’m very good at limiting myself and not buying processed crap at the store. If I do give into anything at the grocery store, it’s popped chips. I can easily overdo it on those! At least their not the regular potato chips! 😉
And I already follow you on FB. 🙂
Hey Kristy!! This book has so much to offer. I’ve been cooking from it like crazy and every recipe so far has been delicious and totally satisfying. Getting my sweet (and salty) tooth fixes – without sugar or salt! Nice! Thanks for entering!
Chips like salted corn chips. If I make a fresh guacamole or humus, and I have organic natural corn chips, they will all be inhaled within minutes. Also, I love raw sweet treats, they are sweet but I find it easier to
Portion control than with vegan sweets, which ate just as naughty as normal sweet treats because if the high content of sugar and vegetable fats. I would love a copy if this book!! It would be great to try some of the recipes for my food blog, superfoodrevolution.wordpress.com !!! 🙂
I hated admitting that vegan sweets are on par w/ non-vegan ones. Guess I was in denial – but I’ve found that Chef AJ’s desserts are delicious, rich-tasting and very satisfying. (And I hear you on the tortilla chips…) Thanks for entering the giveaway and for the link to your blog.
Excellent!!! I love Chef AJ. I can’t believe I don’t have her book yet. It would be great to win but otherwise it’s going on my Christmas list 🙂 I was able to give up oil. I only use it for oil pulling now. Sometimes I can’t help but use the fake meats, store bought and home made seitan, and I love a certain brand of soy rizo. Limit that to once a month or 2. Just like toxicvegan above, I like a cocktail or 2. Sometimes a bottle of wine, sometimes some nice craft beer.
I hope you can get your hands on a copy before Christmas ;-)! When I first discovered fake meats I went a little crazy, but have since backed off. I think you’re right that they make an excellent occasional meal, but it’s best to stick with whole foods most of the time. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
This sounds like a great book and I’d love to have it on my shelf! Sugar is probably my biggest downfall, especially if it involves chocolate, but sometimes a bag of salty chips feel like a must!
Totally! If I crave something sweet, it’s usually in the form of chocolate! Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
Oh my God, am entering for the giveaway please. I realy NEED a copy. Be bless.
🙂 Thanks for making me smile. You are hereby entered into the giveaway!
I found out about this from Chef AJ. I popped over and like both FB pages as well. I can’t believe I don’t have her book yet. It will be on my Christmas list. Like toxicvegan above, I took like to imbibe a bit. A bottle of wine here some nice craft beer there. I don’t go full tilt and get munchies but I do know those are empty wasted calories and all in all not all that healthy. But soo darn tasty. 🙁
I’ve got you down for three entries :-)! Yay!
Wow! Wonderful giveaway!! I feel like I really need this book! I have been plant based for 2 years and I went through colon cancer just before I started. I feel like eating this way is going to make me live a very long time! Thanks!
Oh wow, Eileen! It’s so awesome that you’ve taken control of your health and have made such positive changes! Thank you for commenting and entering the giveaway! Best to you!!
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Eating a plant based diet changed my life. I saw many health problems disappear. I know now that they were diet related. Right now I am spreading the word about it to my friends, family, and customers.
Yay!!! Go, Eugene! I love that you are sharing what you’ve lived and learned. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway.
I guess all three 🙂 But I’ve been making great changes by moving toward whole, unprocessed foods. Would love to read this! 🙂
I liked An Unrefined Vegan on FB!
And… I also like Virtual Vegan Potluck on FB! 🙂
Thanks, thanks and thank you! I’ve got you entered four times into the giveaway! Appreciate it!
I’m uncertain of a unprocessed, raw food diet. I think eating healthier overall, has significantly changed my life, and has led me to my career choice. But, what about creating heat within the body? What about HOT, warm foods, to comfort your soul? I think you are amazing, and have amazing recipes and would love to learn more about this lifestyle.
I agree with you – it would be difficult to go 100% raw. In winter I crave warm soups, stews and tea. But I feel like adding more raw foods into my diet is a really good thing. Thank you so much for commenting and entering the giveaway!
That’s a great review! Good to know that it won’t be a repeat if I’ve already read the other books. My weakness is sugar. I am replacing where I can with dates and stevia, and I am working on my willpower against sweet baked goods! Thanks for considering me for the giveaway.
Thanks, Sarina! Sounds like you and I struggle with the same things! I appreciate you commenting and entering the giveaway!
Love your blog and excellent review. I haven’t read this book but have seen some of her recipes in the Forks over Knives book. I’m dying to read this one as I find it irritating that I have to have 20 obscure ingredients on hand to make a decent plant-based dish. My downfall is definitely salt. It’s been a struggle curtailing this harmful addiction.
It’s really great to find recipes that contain simple ingredients but that result in big flavors. I think you’ll enjoy Chef AJ’s book. It will definitely help you with your salt addiction. I haven’t missed salt in ANY of the recipes I’ve made so far. Thank you for commenting and entering the giveaway!
This one I do not have yet and would love to add to my library! hopefully Ill have the same luck you do at winning sweepstakes
🙂 Best of luck, Idalia!!
Please enter me! I love Chef AJ’s story and her awesome recipes. My weakness is sugar, although I have been on a mostly whole foods, plant based diet for some time now. I have never gone beyond the frozen-banana-sorbet type dessert, and I know AJ’s new book would help me there. Thanks for the giveaway idea!
Hi, Debbie! So glad you found the giveaway – I’m happy to add your name. Chef AJ has some amazing desserts! I just made her Berried Treasures and it is rich, decadent and totally yummy!
Fat isn’t a big deal for me–I actually don’t like it or crave it–but sugar and salt? Both! I want them both and in huge amounts, lol 😉
Courtney
First you want sweet, then salt, then sweet, then… ;-). Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway, Courtney!
Sugar is my downfall… artificial especially! =( Thanks for the giveaway!
From what I’m reading, sugar seems to be the Number One Dark Master!! Appreciate you stopping by to comment and enter the giveaway, Ashley!
I eat too much artificial and processed sugar…thanks for the giveaway!
Chef AJ can help!! Thank you for commenting and for entering the giveaway!
Am so excited about this book! Please enter me in the contest! 🙂 My weakness: sweets! I have an awful sweet tooth.
Entered! This book will fix you right up ;-)! Thank you!
My unhealthy cravings are mostly for sugar! Can’t wait for the lara-bar-ish recipe. 🙂
Coming soon – and SO easy! Thanks, Emmy!
Hum…I definitely have a sweet tooth, but I love rich, fatty treats and salty ones, too! So…all of the them?! LOL If I have to choose between all three, I always choose sweet.
A sweet tooth, fatty tooth and a salty tooth – yeah, we’ve got teeth enough for that ;-)!
I definitely need this book! I’ve been vegan for 4 years, but I eat too many processed vegan foods, and I can’t seem to step away from them! I definitely fall hard for salty foods, and also probably too much fat. I’d like to lose the 10 pounds I’ve gained this year and get back to my normal weight and clothes.
Susan, thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway. No doubt that Chef AJ’s book will help!
This book sounds amazing, as does Chef AJ!! I love my plant based diet! I feel clean, I glow, I feel whole. I do fall prey to SUGAR! I buy vegan treats maybe more than I should!! HA.
It’s a fantastic book, Brittany. I’ve been cooking from it exclusively this week and everything is yummy.
Wow, this sounds like a great read. I’m a total salt-addict…. not gunna lie 😉
The first step in getting well is admitting you have a problem ;-)! Good thing we got you signed up for the giveaway!
Thanks Cheff Aj and Annie for the great books. I never read any book from one of you but the way my friends tells their experiences after reading Cheff Aj’s book is inspiring. Am a vegetarian for seven years but I never read any book for diet direction. My diet is largely plant-base and I do like it that way. you are doing amazing work, KEEP MOVING.
My journey to a completely plant-based diet has been a gradual evolution that started when I was 12 with beef and pork, followed by artificial flavors and colors, then poultry, then fish. I was vegetarian for years before I became an herbivore. As much as I’ve always cared about what I ate, I’ve only just gotten “really into” cooking this year after ages of making the same few meals and eating at the same few restaurants and enjoying my mother’s delicious vegan/vegetarian food when I could. Now, I cook a few times a day and I love it. Whole and raw foods, plant-based meals, and vegan baking excite me! I enjoy reading about food and trying new recipes, too. My goal is to lead by example, and get people around me excited by healthy, delicious, cruelty-free food as well.
Lara, thanks so much for sharing your evolution to healthy eating! My process was gradual as well and you know, I wouldn’t go back for anything! I think there is something about wanting to share what we’ve discovered, too. I’m sure I annoy the heck out of my friends, but I want them to feel good, to have energy and to care for their bodies.
:o) Thanks for your reply.
I would love to receive the book. I cook a lot of vegan dishes but sometimes still have a hard time. I would love to have new dishes to try.
I’ve signed you up for the giveaway! I think you would love this book – very simple, easy and tasty dishes. Thanks for commenting!
And I thought I eat healthy…so much room for improvement.Thank you Chef AJ!
I know!! I thought the same thing about my diet. The good news is, Chef AJ’s recipes are delicious!
I’ve heard many wonderful things about Chef AJ and her recipes from both the Forks Over Knives team as well as Lindsay Nixon (The Happy Herbivore) and would LOVE to win a copy of this book! I’ve been on a strict low-sodium diet for the better part of a decade and went vegan 4+mos ago — have to say I haven’t felt this terrific in YEARS! I know there is true healing in a whole foods, plant-based diet and cannot wait to be rid of Meniere’s Disease for good. Bring on the deliciousness, Chef AJ!!
Hi Christy! Sounds as if you’ve made great strides and are reaping the rewards! I love to hear stories like yours. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
I love you Annie – excellent review !! I learn something new every time I visit you blog 🙂 Would love to read AJ’s book and learn more!
Awww, Anne! Thank you. So glad to get your name added to the giveaway! Hugs!
My goodness, have you gotten popular! I’m glad so many people like your blog as much as I do!
Your post couldn’t have come at a better time. I NEED THIS BOOK. I’ve been working on a (very long, still unfinished) post about cardiovascular disease — mainly atherosclerosis — and how diet affects its progression. I’ve learned quite a bit during my research, sometimes running into information that was hard to swallow. I thought that because I’m vegan I would be safe for the most part. WRONG. In any case, I need to cut down on the processed foods I love so much — the sugar, salt and fat — basically the nomstastic stuff 🙁 Not all of us are culinary geniuses like yourself, missy! I know I can do it too, but it will just take me longer to figure it out as I am definitely no whiz in the kitchen. (I’m a feminist and when I was a teengager I resolved to never learn how to cook as a rebellion against my obligatory female role in society — Now that I’m an adult I realize how silly I was to think I couldn’t be a feminist and know how to cook lol.) I will definitely get this book. Thank you so much for posting this. It’s like you read my mind!
Hello, lovely! I’m just temporarily popular thanks to Chef AJ 😉 – but it’s been fun! Yeah, I know…it’s been a huge eye-opener reading the various plant-based (no-oil) books. I totally bought into the idea of “heart-healthy” fats. I was the olive oil queen!
I think Chef AJ’s book would be a fantastic for you! Hold off on buying it until the giveaway is over :-).
I’m looking forward to your next post!
Your description of the process we all go through to eat “unprocessed” and plant-based was dead on! Love it 🙂
I would love to own this cookbook. Her dressing changed my life and I would love to see what else she’d blow me away with!
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Sugar is my chief nemesis!
I like Virtual Vegan Potluck on FB
🙂 Great!
I like your blog on FB
Yay! Thanks!
Since I’ve become vegan I enjoy cooking a lot more and I feel better about the food I eat and I am happy about the impact I am making environmentally and for the animals.
It seems like a natural progression, doesn’t it? Becoming more aware about what goes into your body and how even the little things we do impacts everything around us. Thank you for commenting and entering the giveaway!
Where to begin…My weakness at the grocery store would be processed savory products like Snap Pea Crisps, Veggie Chips, Seaweed Snack, Corn Nuts, and probably the biggest: veggie meats. Hopefully the book will enlighten me with better alternatives! Btw, I already “liked” your FB page and the VVP FBpage 🙂
Thanks, Richgail!!
I must admit salt is my weakness, but only in a couple cases…I love soy sauce, and if you have a bowl of roasted salted pumpkin seeds in the room, chain me up. Like a squirrel faced with a pile o’ nuts, I’ll plant myself in front of that bowl and eat the dang things until my lips parch up. It was my favorite childhood snack and I’m still addicted. 😉
Haha! You sound like me next to a bowl of roasted, salted peanuts! Dangerous! Thank you so much for commenting and entering the giveaway!
i keep watching chef AJ’s youtube vids on and off.. and i would love this book. your review is amazing.
i think my weakness is salt. a good amount of salt in anything and i will eat it. if something doesnt have the salt i want in it, i cant enjoy the dish!:) i am the same with salted nuts too. you cannot keep me away from salted nuts!
Hey Richa! A salt junkie, eh ;-)? I’d better get your name added to the giveaway!
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sugar was my downfall but i’ve had to give it up so i’m free for now but i do get tempted!
Good for you! Was there a health reason why you had to give it up? Thanks for commenting!
Sugar was my downfall, I used to love ice-cream! Now I make homemade with almond milk and frozen fruit and enjoy it. I would so love to win your book! 🙂
Oh, that sounds awesome, Cindy! Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
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i am vegan and eat a very un processed whole food diet yet i have a hard time kicking the splenda! I love sweet yet hate the calories of agave or any sugars/maple syrup and stevia is just crazy expensive…. Looks like an awesome book i would love to share with my oblivious carnivore family!
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I am new to the vegan world .and loving it….I am a soaking up all the great info ….would love an copy of this book!!!
Hi Michelle – welcome to the wonderful world of plant-based eating! I wish you’d found the site a couple of days earlier – the giveaway ended on Sept. 25.
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