health Books

wonderful. when you read this work you can actually feel the soil, smell the grass, and taste the fruit. a greeat read

I feel a connection with David Masumoto. Not that I've met him or anything - in fact, there's a good chance I never will (although I keep hoping that one summer day I can make it over to his farm to pick peaches). No, this feeling is based on an impression that we have both fought the same fight over different things, for the same reasons. It is also because he writes so poignantly about a landscape I grew up in. Mr. Masumoto is an organic farmer in the valley of California, and his story is becoming more and more familiar to me as I see this way of life disappearing across the country.

A third generation Japanese American peach and grape farmer, David Masumoto inherited the family orchard from his father. He also had the heritage of his childhood memories of how that particular peach variety, Sun Crest, tasted and ran with juice unlike the pretty red baseballs that have passed for today's supermarket peach varieties. Mr. M wanted to show the world how delightful an old-fashioned peach could be.

When he took over his father's farm, he resolved to not only continue growing his Sun Crests, but to do it organically. This would prove challenging in our day and age of cheap, quick fixes; moreover, it would test his strongly felt ideals. The land needed to heal and replenish itself after years of chemical fertilizers and toxic pest control methods. Masumoto had to take his example from research on other organic farming practices, planting wildflowers to encourage beneficial insect life and sowing "green manure" crops to act as natural mulch and compost. All this took time, patience, and faith that his hard work would eventually pay off.

Epitaph for a Peach is rich in sensory descriptions, philosophy, and nostalgic flashbacks. It is a picture of the way a farmer's life is connected to the seasons, capricious weather patterns, and changing market conditions. Not incidentally, Masumoto also teaches about the obscure history of Japanese farmers in the Valley - something that even I, native to Fresno, had little idea of. Reading this book was a slow, thoughtful experience much in the same manner that one slows down to savor a rich fruit. Recommended to anybody interested in history, growing food, or the vanishing California landscape.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

It is rare to read a book where the author works miracles with his hands and his words. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys non-fiction but finds it dry, without humanity. David Mas Masumoto is anything but dry. His land may be at times, but his poetic prose is anything but. His relationship with his family, his family's farm and nature is a rare combination. I highly recommend this read.

Author David Masumoto has written an excellent vignette into the year in a life of a small-scale, family farmer. His passion for his life's work, his connection to the land, and his strong family values are so clearly evident in his writing. I think a lot of readers will be envious of the life he describes. I share many of his views on the value of small family farms and the need to focus on how food should taste. Masumoto's book will reonsate deeply with those of us who know what it means to be curious about how something grows, who look forward to the first ripe peach or melon of the year, who prefer to make things from scratch and sit down with all our kids at dinner.

I live somewhat north of the area Mr. Masumoto writes about - where the San Francisco Bay Area Suburbs collide with the San Joaquin Farmlands. The Peach and Cherry Orchards and the Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Strawberries are currently holding their own - but like Mr. Masumoto's Peaches and Grapes, only tenuously, and with great courage. If you would like to understand not only how these people live, but who and why they are, you should read this book. It is both beautifully written and thought provoking.

For anyone with a thyroid problem, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! I wish it could have been published years earlier when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Dr. Friedman and Winnie Yu have put together information that is easy to read and understand. As the title implies, they have included everything you will need to know. The more information and knowledge you accumulate about any condition you have, the better able you will be to get proper treatment. I thought "life" was really slowing me down, but it was really my thyroid!

Having thyroid problems for over 12 years and having read every book ever published on thyroid disease, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. What I found was the best book there is on thyroid problems! Not only was it an easy read (finished it in one sitting), it was full of useful information from both a clinical doctor and reseach doctor's point of view (Dr. Friedman is both). I have since thrown away all my other thyroid books and this book is the only reference I use. I recommend this book to everyone with thyroid problems and their friends and family to help anyone understand this complex and debilitating health epidemic.

Dr. Friedman's thyroid disease health guide is comprehensive, very well written and most of all, easy to read. I personally have two other thyroid reference books and once I purchased his book, I've basically relegated the other two to the book case with Dr. Friedman's book residing on my desk. Kudos Dr. Friedman, you've succeeded in educating a person who needs more information and made him more comfortable and better aware just by reading your excellent book.

This is a must read for persons with thyroid or other endocrine disorders. Dr. Friedman is a brilliant diagnostician and endocrinology researcher and has put together a book that reflects his immense learning and experience. This patient-friendly book on an extremely complicated and frustrating topic will be welcomed by sufferers of endocrine disorders. Dr. Friedman clearly lays out the nature and treatment of many endocrine disorders. This text will be of use to those many patients who must rely on general practitioners in indentifying and treating their endocrine disorders. Endocrine disorders are frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Despite the common reliance on blood work, there is still an art and feel to properly diagnosing and treating endocrine disorders that requires a high degree of physician/patient communication. This book will go a long way to enable patients to learn about their illness and to better enable them to communicate with their physicians.

It has now been a year since my initial diagnosis of hypothryoidism and Hashimoto's Thryoiditis in July 2006. In my intial year, I have read many articles and research on thryoid disease, but most did not answer all my questions. I recently came across this book during my initial appointment with Dr. Friedman in July 2007. This book not only answered my questions, but it answered other items I did not know. This book has a lot information, but it is basic enough for all levels to understand. I highly recommend this book for those with thryoid problems and/or family and/or friends with thryoid problems.

BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!

This book is so great for people like me who can't seem to lose weight. I'm a massage therapist, and while in massage school, I gained a lot of weight, and I never was able to take it off. I eat organic as much as I can, I eat natural foods, and I don't over eat at all. I hardly eat, so why am I fat?
This book shows you that you need to start with the mind. Meditation and selected Bach Flower Essences to help. They write that you're overweight because you have a health imbalance. So they tell you Vitamins that will help you, rich Whole Foods, Cleansing, Tai Chi, Acupressure and Acupuncture. So if you haven't figured it out already, the focus is really health, not weight loss, although they say you will anyway.
I also love that in the back of the book they set up a Menu for the week, and by Seasons. The talk of the importance of not only eating organic, but eating local, eating by the seasons.
Really, it's a great book. I found it without looking for it, I went to the book store out of boredom one day and found this book. I found it on Amazon to send to a friend and here it had no picture and no reviews. So I helped it along, because this is a great great book for sensible weight loss and a holistic approach that I can't believe is not done more often. No one really ever tackles the mental aspect of weight loss.
I can't wait to start my journey with this book, and I hope you do too!

Great book. Great thought process and it works. I am dropping pounds without paying any attention to what I am doing. Change your thoughts, change your weight!

This book focuses on the fact that anyone's weight problem is only a *symptom* of a deeper imbalance. This holds true regardless of why you're overweight -- whether you think it's obecause you overeat or because it runs in the family or because you have an underactive thyroid.
The only way to lose weight FOR REAL is through a holistic approach. Every other way simply does not work because evey other diet tries to treat the SYMPTOM of your deep imbalance -- the weight. But the way to lose weight is to completely rebalance your entire body. Along the way, you'll lose more than just pounds -- you'll lose many of your health problems and cravings and unhealthy habits. The more holistic measures you implement in your life, the more you'll WANT to implement. And the funny thing is, you'll also lose this unhealthy obsession with losing weight -- you'll want to become healthy FIRST, and you'll be able to let your weight loss be a SIDE EFFECT of becoming balanced.
Eventually, your attitude will change. You won't even WANT to pollute your body with junk food, so you'll opt for a healthy snack because you will WANT a healthy snack, not because you SHOULD have it.
Anyone who is tired of all the fad diets and not-so-fad diets and is looking to lose weight for real, improve your well-being, moods, and everything else, you can begin with this book and see where it takes you! Good luck!

I have read many weight loss books and this one really is the best. I first checked it out at local library and after reading it, decided that I must own this book for keeps! It's definitely worth reading...more than once!

This book is not just about Weight Loss, it's about Total Wellness!! As it was mentioned several times in the book, the focus is on getting healthy and that will trigger the weight loss by itslef.

The book is very well written and structured with clear explanations of everything.

The book offers the program of total wellness combining all the revolutionary methods. I was coming up with some kind of the same health program for myself and I found everything I wanted to know in this book. Note that I don't have any weight problem and still this books makes a difference and it will make a big difference in your life getting you were you want to be in terms of not only the wellness but your life itself! Whether you have a problem with your weight or not, whether you consider yourself healthy or not, buy this book. It costs only couple bucks but contains million dollar information for you to be the one you want to be. The book is full of knowledge that is not easy to find! I just want to thank the authors for sharing this kind of knowledge.

I picked up this book in Shoshanna's Wellness Center after first acupuncture treatment. I am just fortunate to live in the same area where she has an office and receive acupuncture treatments. Not to mention that I received one treatment so far but felt amazingly much better already right after the first treatment.

Again, the book is full of knowledge authors are sharing with us and it amazes me that you can get this kind of knowledge for only ... bucks!

Be well...

not only can she write well
she has a tight body from doing something right
her tips are cool and basic but when compared to the avg lifestyle that produces mounds fo fat is new
her outfit is also kinda appealing
the conent of the book will help your get toned and shapely liek susan
the other books are good too
i think she demonizes men a bit but hey men are kinda evl
her hair is abit much
the books emphaisis on not eating bad foods and exercising a lot aerobically and sterch is excellent
there is a lot of stuff about wirhght lifting making u lost weight that isnt true
aerobic and stretch and eat low gylcemic foods works
most of avg usa diet is hell
zone diet also points this out
also check out www.paulgraham.com for some cool lisp stuff
and the yahoo group bffm for tom venutos tak
robby robinson bodybuilder doesnt do any aerovbics so weird huh more than one way to get lean
funny its all calories
most americans dont exercise enuf

I loved this book. Susan gets right to the point and explains fat and sugar and more including the way to catch the tricks on food labels. She also includes recipes to help you become lean light and healthy. I read this book and liked it. I didn't listen though!

Font Small ~~~ not sellers fault ~~ may be something to add in description.

I'm so excited! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES AND FOOD, FOOD AND HOW IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS YOUR BODY, MOTIVATION to get up and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT(you know what I'm talking about), this is the best gift you could give yourself. I'm dead serious. Grab this book before it is truly gone...Susan Powter speaks up from personal experience and so am I.

Our building has a bin in the laundry room where people put things that they don't want anymore, in case someone else in the building would like to have them. That's where I found "Food" by Susan Powter. As someone who is sick to death of "fad diets" and believes that carbs convert to starch, then to sugar, then to fat, I didn't hold out much hope for the book. But it surprised me. I absolutely *love* this book, but am reading it very slowly, one small section at a time. It's a bit overwhelming to take in all at once because Ms. Powter is such a powerful speaker, but she speaks good, common sense and has an uncanny knack for knowing what you're thinking, and saying so. I find her style delightful, her research & references sound, the medical information challenging (who knew how many different kinds of fats there are, and what they are?), and her sense of humor refreshing. I like the way she backs up her statements, I liked finding out that I'm not the only one who has qualms about eating animal products. Although I'm not getting radical or turning vegan or anything, I can now see where the fats come from, exactly how much protein we *really* need and where we can get it, exactly what is supposed to be so great about dairy, what it has to offer, and where *else* I can get that. I'm drinking water for the first time in my life, taking vitamins, and most importantly, reading labels, in the store, and teaching my sons how to do so also. We are all implementing her ideas, with good results, slimming down and feeling more energetic for the first time since I was disabled ten years ago. By the time I am finished with this book, and its recipies, and everything else I plan to do with the next book (which I've already ordered), who knows? Might get those Gwen Stefani abs yet, and just in time for summer too...ahh...thank you, Susan, for showing me how to get rid of the flab and eat right, feed my kids healthy, whole foods, cut the garbage out of my diet and take control of my kitchen. I hope this book does the same for others, but my advice is to be patient with it. Take your time, don't go gonzo making huge sudden changes. It is written to cover three phases of changing your diet, so take it slow. Baby steps. Do that, and it will work for you. The best thing about it is that you learn to eat more, not less. You can eat as much as you want, whenever you like. It is *what you eat* that the book deals with, and if you're thinking that it's a bland, yucky diet, no way. The recipies are absolutely delicious with next to no fat, and there are a lot of recipies in there. Tons. And kids like them too. If you're wondering whether or not to buy this book, I'd have to say go for it, and take it seriously. It has more benefits than I can possibly list here, so enough said. See for yourself!

Learn how to achieve fitness, improve sleep and gain exercise with a workout you can do from your own bed. Here are some forty exercises that use yoga, Pilates, karate and stretches as their foundation and which are grouped into sections - those to be done lying on your back, sides, and stomach. Step-by-step photos accompany easy instructions in a book highly recommended for both general lending collections and the home libraries of those confined to bed.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The instructions are clear and to the point. The exercises are easy to do and produce results in a short time. All of this from the comfort of your own bed.

After two arthroscopic knee surgeries I was ordered NOT to use the treadmill, only low/no impact exercises. My husband made fun of me when I bought this book based on the title. Well let me tell you, he's not laughing at me any more. I found the book simple to follow and definitely felt the exercises in my muscles. NO impact on me knees and my husband said I have actually changed my shape. The best money I've spent in a very long time! :)

This book was great, exercises are simple to follow and isolate the muscle groups for immediate results. You are shown how you can modify most movements to suit your physical needs and photos are helpful. It is nice to see an exercise program that almost anyone could use and enjoy with positive outcome and it is wonderful to see exercises that all of us can continue doing as we age. This book arrived quickly in good condition. It would also make a nice gift.

I was surprised at how easy these exercises are and how quickly the results are felt. I'm sleeping better and feel I have better balance since starting the program. At 81, I cannot do a regular exercise program but this is one program I can do and can stick with it.
It's about time someone thought of the older population and our need to remain safe in our homes.

Dr. Dorree Lynn's description of good therapy also describes her Getting Sane: "peppered with humor and salted with common sense." It's a straightforward guide that can equip any reader to be an intelligent consumer of mental health services. Eight easy chapters cover deciding where to look for help, choosing the therapist who's right for you, cost, confidentiality, medication ("From Prozac to St. John's Wort"), alternative therapies, and more.

"Even if your life at this moment is perfectly satisfactory," Dr. Lynn points out, "it will, at some point, throw you a curve ball." When it does, you will need this book. Somebody you know needs it now. Be a friend! Tell a friend about Getting Sane Without Going Crazy.

I am so glad that I found this book!In a clear-cut, engaging fashion, Dr. Lynn simplifies the steps and offers options to attaining and maintaining equilibrium in our ever changing, challenging world. Her book is a delight to read and it is has become a crucial resource for our family, friends and coworkers!

The book answered all of my questions about psychotheraphy and then some. Getting Sane Without Going Crazy was easy and fun to read, and written in an engaging style. It was not what I expected, it was much better. Dr. Lynn's insight and candor into the field is very couragous. Her personal stories were so vivid I could see the people. I look forward to reading her next book, when she writes it.

The subject of mental health continues to be taboo for many people. Consequently, finding help during a crisis may feel like a Herculean task.

To address the issue, Dr. Dorree Lynn has done a masterful job creating a guide to mental health. In a frank, honest manner, she distinguishes between the various types of therapies, both traditional and non-traditional, finding the right services, as well as the nuts and bolts of the insurance system. In effect, "Getting Sane Without Going Crazy" is a roadmap through the stereotypes, misconceptions and and mystique of mental health.

Throughout the book, Dr. Lynn asserts a very empowering truth: Every client has an active role in their own healing. Whether in choice of practitioner, therapy style, length of therapy, or type of treatment, the client's voice counts. While many struggle with the 'doctor always knows best' mindframe, Dr. Lynn presents a refreshing reframing of therapy dynamics.

Of particular interest, was the chapter comparing psychotherapy and spirituality. At first glance both appear to be unrelated entities. Dr. Lynn, however, makes the point that the end result, a feeling of wholeness, is a shared goal. Although different paths are taken, a spiritual or psychotheraputic journey share the same outcome.

Whether faced with a life crisis, or battling depression, finding help may feel like a daunting process. It may seem as if the decision to enter therapy, and with whom, is too much. In a clear, well planned manner, "Getting Sane Without Going Crazy" unravels the task at hand. Dr. Lynn arms the client with knowledge vital to the success of any healing process. In an era where the quick fixes provided by the Dr. Lauras of the world are considered Gospel, Dr. Lynn offers a guiding voice of reason.

"Getting Sane Without Going Crazy" makes extremely enjoyable and interesting reading. Whether you are considering therapy, or know someone who is, this is an extremely well-made resource.

I am organizational consultant, a mom of three and a wife. I have looked long and hard for a sensible, practical, readable book to give to my clients. Eureeka! This is it. I also found Gettimg Sane personaly helpful. The book also raised questions I had never thought about. What a treat. It is an informational page turner, written by a woman who is not afraid to put herself on the line. I am waiting for the workbook for use in my courses. Do it soon.

This is a hilarious and fun read, perfect for preschoolers and beginner readers. Goldie Locks comes down with chicken pox and goes through the phases of the illness - the fever, the itching and scratching, even the pesky younger sibling! And she is visited by familiar nursery rhyme characters - Jack of Jack Be Nimble, Little Bo Beep, Red Riding Hood etc. The text is written in rhyming style and makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The illustrations are colorful and gorgeously detailed. My 3.5 year-old enjoyed this immensely and I bet lots of other readers will agree!

My kids were both traumatised by Chicken pox, and this has enabled them to laugh about the whole experience. It is a very clever rhyming book which kids of all ages will love and the reference to other nursery rhymes makes it a throughly entertaining read.

This book is so clever! The book is fun to read b/c it rhymes, it has characters from nursery rhymes and it gives kids an introduction into the world of chickenpox. This book is a familiy favorite!

Me and my almost 3 year old daughter LOVE this book. She's never had the chicken pox, but even so, it's such great writing and cool pictures! I highly recomend it. My daughter begs me to read it to her every night! I wish the author/illustrater would team up for more books like this one!

This book is so cute. Goldie Locks has chicken pox and her little brother won't leave her alone. There are some familiar faces that drop by to check on Goldie and brother gets a little bit jealous.
Mamma Bear assures Goldie's mom that Baby Bear is fine because bears can't get chicken pox. Henny Penny comes by to let the Lock's that the sky is falling. Jack Be Nimble wants to play with Goldie but her dad doesn't think it's such a good idea. Little Bo Peep has stopped by to see if she can find her sheep and Little Red Riding Hood wants some company on the way to her grandmother's house.
It is a very contemporary book with humor and intrigue. Goldie's brother just can't stop teasing her. He wants to connect her dots and wants to know why she can have ice cream and treats and he can't. At the end of the story however, he ends up with some very mysterious spots.
This poem will make children laugh and get them excited because they will recognize other characters form other nursery rhymes. They will also be able to relate to Goldie if they have ever had chicken pox themselves. It is a very cute and simply entertaining story for children to enjoy.

I got this book for my dad who I just found out has cancer. He was told to get some reading material to bring for when he gets chemo- but something with short stories because your attention span is shorter. He has really enjoyed it.

"A Good Day Anyway" is an inspirational journey about the importance of maintaining a possitive attitude when a person is diagnosed with and goes through treatment for cancer. While I have been fortunate not to have had cancer, I have lived through my child having cancer. Her mother and I would have loved to have had this small but mighty book to help keep our spirits up while going through the process. We too believed that a possitive attitude was paramount to her survival and still do 24 years later as she celebrates her 30th birthday next month! What a great tool this book is. It is a must read for all persons who have been affected either directly or indirectly with cancer.

This little book is so much fun, it makes it even better that I know one half of this amazing couple, but it truly does make light of a terrible disease, I have shared it with so many people since reading it. Being a health care provider I know this should be a staple bedside companion in any medical facility.

Dave Massey's inspired poetry reminds everybody that no matter how bad it gets it is better to make the best of it. His example of positive thinking is at the essence of the human spirit and what we can achieve when we've got our minds right. I would recommend this book to anyone going through cancer, but especially to everybody else, because there is no time for negative energy- it is a waste and a detriment to our society.

I bought one of the first copies of A Good Day Anyway. My review has been a long time coming. Dave Massey is my son. I have read his poems over and over for the past 10 years. Each time they bring tears to my eyes. Tears of joys, he won two battles with cancer. Tears of pride, he wrote most of them when he was barely able to hold a pen or pencil. Tears of thanks, to the Doctors and Nurses who took care of him. A Good Day Anyway is not just beneficial for those dealing with cancer but for the loved ones, family, and friends that are also involved. I have made copies of these poems to share with those who themselves or their family member are battling cancer. I highly recommend that everyone read this little book as it is encouraging to know that someone out there beat the odds and became a better person because he had cancer.

I am - or was - an overweight teen. I really love the show Growing Up Gotti and once I heard that Frankie had a diet book comng out I thought that this would be a perfect oppurtunity for me to loss the weight for good. I ordered the book and it exceeded my expectations. Frankie is truly a great writer. This book encouraged me to follow his diet steps! Now, only half way through my diet, I have lost 24 lbs. And it is thanks to Frankie! So thank you for helping me and others lose extra weight for good.

I wish there was more publicity on this book. I had watched the show and goggled the show for images and came upon a picture of him before the show and was shocked to see his weight and even more shocked at what he is today. After viewing the sample pages provided by Amazon, I knew I had to grab a copy. I am 10 years older then Frank but he touches the core of my problems. He is an admirable writer that can be respected by all ages. I really appreciate his honesty, sincerity and encouragement. He taps into emotions and experiences that I have yet to see in any book, and for it to target the young generation is phenomenal!! Thanks Frank :)

i love the growning up gottie show
it of the chin, but anywayz, hi frankie, i just wanna say that u look soooooo fooooone,now we girls can see ur the real frankie
u look amazing

The author of this book was just arrested for drug posession. Diet and exercise, or was there something more?

Lies and scandals.

Frank Gotti's diet and exercise book really reveals the trauma of being overweight as a kid/tennager. I couldnt believe the before and after pics! And the heartfelt text inside. Frank was not afraid to show his sensitive side, in an effort to help others lose the weight as well. I applaud him--he has guts!....(and he's gorgeous!)....Katie Ross

The Healthy Hedonist, by Myra Kornfeld, is a real favorite of mine. A superb collection of palate-pleasing, health-supportive and incredibly flexible recipes, I have turned to it repeatedly to create soul-satisfying meals for clients, family and friends. The recipes lend themselves to dinner parties and weeknight meals alike. The author embraces a wide array of eating habits within the population, and elevates every dish to its highest potential. The resulting meals are delicious, colorful, and texture-rich. Mixing and matching Myra Kornfeld's salsas, sauces, and chutneys, or soups, salads and side dishes makes for endless variety and yes, pleasure. I especially appreciate this author's intelligent use of traditional, wholesome fats and Celtic Sea Salt, and her countless tips enabling you to put your particular spin on a dish. For certain soups, she even provides a pressure-cooker option. I've made over half the recipes in this book and while they are all terrific and carefully written, there are some I'd like to rave about: Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Shallots and Sage; Moroccan Chickpea Soup; White Bean and Spinach Soup with Rosemary; Wild Mushroom Winter Potage; and Indonesian Corn Chowder. The Southeast Asian Miso is also a gem. The salads and their dressings are some of the absolute best I've ever made: Romaine Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing; Green Leaf, Date, and Cashew Salad with Tamarind Dressing; and Baby Greens with Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette and Warm Walnut-Crusted Goat Cheese Medallions, a great holiday salad. As for main courses, the Orange-Glazed Flounder should be renamed, "I can't believe it's flounder", and the Red Snapper Provençale is simple to make and simply divine. The Seven-Vegetable Moroccan Stew, with its accompanying Harissa, is full of authentic North-African flavors. And my family never tires of the Roast Chicken with Maple Glaze. Whether you're a novice cook or a professional chef, this is one cookbook you'll be thrilled to own.

If I could keep only one cookbook, this would be it! I love this book and have given it to friends and family.
The recipes are healthy, easy to follow, clear and delicious! I enjoy experimenting and I know the result will be great! Practical information on natural ingredients, techniques and diagrams facilitate and are educational and the resource section is very useful. In addition, many of the recipes can be made in advance!
I particularly like the Roast Chicken with Maple Glaze, Laquered Carrots with Coriander, Glazed Brussel Sprouts, Braised Cabbage with Cranberries, Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Shallots and Sage, Triple Gingerbread, Chocolate Coconut Pudding ... I could go on!
A must have for those who enjoy good, healthy eating.

The book has easy, creative, and tasty recipes, with a heavy emphasis on Asian and Latino-inspired dishes. That means that if you are looking for basic middle-of-the road vegetarian or flexitarian recipes, like mac and cheese, look elsewhere.

You will also need access to well-stocked specialty markets, or resort to mail order if you live in areas of the country that have limited food market options. For example, the author uses a variety of grains, including millet and quinoa, instead of just brown rice. She flavors her dishes with curry powders and pastes, coconut oil, and brown rice syrup. She uses tempeh and whole grain pastas. The recipes are absolutely wonderful, and I finally stopped bookmarking because I had post-its on every page. My meat eating husband loves the Roast Chicken with Maple Glaze.

Please note: this book has NO photographs. If that's really important to you, consider checking it out from the library first, as I did. I loved it so much I ended up buying it.

I highly recommend The Healthy Hedonist, by Myra Kornfeld, to beginner cooks and accomplished chefs, alike. For the beginners, Myra has a knack for clearly explaining key cooking techniques and tips on what to look for when buying certain ingredients. For the accomplished chefs, the flavor and texture combinations in Myra's recipes will help you expand your repertoire of unusual and interesting dishes even further. As a personal chef, I have made appetizers, salads, and entrees from this book that clients request over and over again. As a cooking instructor, I must say that the most requested recipe for my fish class is the seared sesame-crusted tuna, from The Healthy Hedonist. Congratulations to Myra Kornfeld for assembling such a great book of healthful, delicious, and interesting recipes. We're looking forward to your next book! (By the way, I also use many, many recipes from The Voluptuous Vegan, by Myra Kornfeld, and recommend that you check out that book, as well!)

No longer will I need to put my poor Vegan friends through an evening of dull side dishes that I formerly used to merely accompany my beef or poultry entree! The recipes in this book are varied in their difficulty or ease, and offer so many delicious options for ingredients to make them pop in flavor and presentation! I have become such a fan, I find myself eating 'vegan meals' without even thinking about the chicken or fish or beef I use to have to have, to call it a 'meal.' There are so many reasons to give this book a try if you were once a die-hard 'meat and potatoes' person: you want more tantalizing, flavorful side dishes, you have dietary restrictions, you have vegan friends. Any of these reasons are good enough to start your journey, but you may find yourself appropriating more and more of these dishes as your entrees! (The only thing that kept me from rating it 5 Stars were the absence of pictures.)