This Crazy Vegan Life: A Healthy Book (and Recipes!) for the Vegan in You

April 8, 2009

by Esther Sung

on 04/07/09 at 09:48 PM

James Cury blogged about teens possibly masking eating disorders by claiming to

be vegetarian. After reading Christina Pirello's This Crazy Vegan Life: A

Prescription for an Endangered Species (Penguin), I think it's safe to say that

Pirello advocates a healthy lifestyle, one that happens to be vegan. Her story

is a refreshing one: Having followed a vegan macrobiotic diet, she eventually

realized that she was living an unhealthy lifestyle. But how could a vegan be

unhealthy? In her case, by consuming too many desserts and snacks, and not

maintaining a balanced lifestyle that includes exercise. A re-evaluation put

Pirello back on track with " whole vegan food and cooking and working [out] " both

her body and mind. The book addresses commonplace issues such as what to eat,

when to eat, why eat X but not Y, etc., all from a vegan's point-of-view. And it

is persuasive. Because who doesn't want to look more trim, have more energy, and

eat well?

A few things in Pirello's book stand out. She presents a detailed 3-week detox

plan that helps the body get accustomed to a healthy vegan diet. And then

there's her list of staples and extras for the pantry and fridge. Very useful,

in my opinion, even for someone who's been a vegetarian but not necessarily an

adventurous one. (I certainly never heard of erythritol, a natural sugar

substitute, before the book. And I don't have staples such as amaranth and kuzu

in my kitchen.) The variety of recipes she offers, such as Creamy Minted White

Beans, Millet with Cinnamon Onions, and Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Glaze,

will surely fend off culinary boredom and help keep you on track with the

transition. And the best thing about Pirello's argument for veganism? Her cogent

and frank presentation.

I admit, I'm still partial to animal products (leather, wool, silk, etc.) and

diet-wise, I still crave dairy and eggs. But if anything, the gradual

re-dedication to adhering more closely to a vegetarian diet is something I can

see myself doing, and hope to implement at least some of Pirello's lifestyle

changes in due time.

Recipes to try:

- Citrus-Scented Seeded Muffins

- Orange-Balsamic Glazed Tempeh over Greens

- Pignoli Cookies

url has embeded links for the above recipes at :

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