The China Study Cookbook: Over 120 Whole Food, Plant-Based Recipes Paperback – May 7, 2013

I have a cabinet full of low-fat, plant-based, whole foods cookbooks and I know this one will be the most used of all of them.I cannot state emphatically enough how amazing it is that this book brings to the reader traditional comfort food in an EASY and healthy package. You will find many of your old favorites reborn into healthy dishes. I am amazed at how Ms. Campbell was able to accomplish this with such simplicity of both ingredients and preparation.This book is beautifully presented. It is professionally designed and laid out with professional color photographs for nearly every dish. I'm not sure what it is that makes it easier to select a recipe if there's a great picture, but the author and publisher were smart enough to realize this and I appreciate that. Everything looks delicious, and the recipes are all so simple and reasonable to make, but at the same time come out so good. Healthy has never been so easy or so tasty.The book begins with a short introduction that manages to stuff a lot of good information into a small space without rehashing everything else done by all of the other cookbooks for this audience. It gives sound advice for those transitioning to a plant-based diet.The book is then divided into Breads & Muffins, Breakfast Dishes, Appetizers & Salads, Soups, Sandwiches, Entrees,Side Dishes, and Desserts. Appendices include metric conversions and an index.New family favorites from this book include Fiesta Corn Bread, Apple Turnovers, Lemon Tahini Quinoa Salad, Sesame Noodle Salad, Tomato Tortilla Soup, Thai Wraps, Asparagus Crepes, Seasoned Mushroom Soup, Macaroni Squash, Moroccan Eggplant. The Coconut Mango Pudding is to die for!No added oil in the recipes. A very small number of recipes include a very light handed use of nuts/seeds. This book does have a number of recipes with wheat ingredients, so if you are gluten free and not an old hand at substituting ingredients you may have to pass on some of the better recipes.The author uses sucanat as a sweetener, but you can obviously substitute another sweetener of your choice. There is an occasional use of tofu or non-dairy milk. Recipes use reasonable convenience foods, like whole wheat tortillas or canned tomatoes. If you are a purist, you can use fresh ingredients instead.

Leanne Campbell, daughter of 'The China Study' author, delivers an intriguing cookbook, based on the the findings and conclusions of 'The China Study.' There is a huge selection of plant-based recipes that are offered, without added fat, and minimal sugar and salt. The results of research in 'The China study' concluded that a plant-based diet results in better health as it can aid in reducing obesity, and reversing diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease. The findings also conclude that this diet can halt diseases such as cancer. The recipes provided are easy-to-prepare, tasty, and highlight the importance of avoiding additional fat. The recipes include breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and more. These quick and easy meals and snacks include helpful tips on substitutions, based on the author's principals and advice for better nutrition, and less weight gain. These favorite recipes from the plant-based movement are specifically prepared as no-oil dishes as another aid in improving health. My daughter's first choice as a peanut butter lover is the no-bake Peanut Butter Bars, and mine is the Home-Fry Hash as breakfast is my favorite meal. Since we both love sweet potatoes, the Sweet Potato Enchiladas is next on the agenda as we keep track of our weight, along with exercise. Each week, we will experiment with a new recipe, and I will give our opinion of the outcome. There is something for everyone in this huge selection of recipes. In addition, I have many friends who are diabetics, interested in sharing these recipes. An update of recipes we made this week: GREEK SALAD WITH NUTS (I used walnuts instead of pine-nuts, very tasty. The PUMPKIN PANCAKES were delicious, and the BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE was a big hit. Next on the agenda will be BANANA CRUMB MUFFINS and FAVORITE FRENCH TOAST. We are truly enjoying the Breakfast selection, but there is also much more to satisfy hungry cravings. A recent Update: I made the FETTUCCINI WITH BROCCOLI AND CASHEW SAUCE. A very tasty dish, and cooking time is only 20 minutes. I will be making this again! Also, we made the mouth-watering COCONUT OATMEAL COOKIES, delicious & baking time is only 15 minutes as well as preparation time. This recipe makes 16 cookies, so we stored for several dessert occasions. A better road to good health, and a great gift for family, and friends. Highly recommended!**Special Note- I have an ARC of this book & also purchased this book for my daughter.~~A Review is only the opinion of a Reviewer, but I hope you enjoy as much as we did!