Book Reviews
HONEST PRETZELS AND 64 OTHER AMAZING RECIPES FOR COOKS AGES 8 & UPBy Mollie Katzen
My wonderful children like to cook. One of our favorite and often-used cookbooks is Mollie Katzen's Pre-tend Soup. We were excited to hear about Honest Pretzels, a cookbook suggested for slightly older children.
Honest Pretzels includes recipes which are clearly suited to older children. They have more preparation steps and may include some techniques (cutting, using a food processor, stirring foods as they cook) which are not appropriate for younger chefs.
All recipes are vegetarian. Many contain dairy products and eggs; I estimate that about 1/3 are vegan and another 1/3 or more could be made vegan with simple substitutions.
Recipes are creative and may induce children to try some vegetables and other foods they don't usually eat. Categories include breakfast specials (lots of eggy dishes); soups, sandwiches, and salads; main and side dishes; desserts; and snacks.
What did my almost-8-year-old think? We prepared Apple Pockets, a sort of apple turnover. She did a lot of it herself and was very happy with the whole experience. The directions were understandable and, while I would not turn her loose in the kitchen at this point, I think in a year or so she'll be able to tackle much in this book by herself.
This book would be a wonderful gift for a food-loving school age child, vegetarian or not.
Honest Pretzels (ISBN 1-883672-88-0) is a 178-page book, published by Tricycle Press and sells for $19.95.
Reviewed by Sarah Alper and Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, with assistance from Leah Alper.
THE VEGETARIAN FEMALE
By Arika Avery-Grant, RD
Many women are vegetarian or are considering becoming vegetarian. This is the audience for whom Anika Avery-Grant wrote The Vegetarian Female. This book begins by explaining the benefits of following a vegetarian diet containing no animal products, then explains how to do this during all stages of life. The book also discusses the role of vegetarian diets in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and disorders which can affect women, and ends with a guide to making the transition to a vegetarian diet.
There are many things to like about The Vegetarian Female. It is written in a clear and understandable fashion. Sections on the practical aspects of becoming vegetarian are especially helpful, perhaps due to the author's wealth of knowledge (she is a life-long vegetarian). Avery-Grant includes many sample menus for a number of different situations (teens, athletes, pregnancy, for ex-ample) which would be very useful for someone new to vegetarianism. Her explanations of various nutrients and the need for them are clear and she makes good use of sidebars, charts, and other graphics to em-phasize her points.
The weakest section of The Vegetarian Female is Avery-Grant's examination of the reasons to be-come vegetarian. Instead of looking at actual research to support her statements on vegetarianism and the environment, she relies on information from other, less credible sources. In other sections of the book she does do a more thorough job of examining the scientific literature.
This is a comprehensive, generally reliable book which provides much information for women who are interested in vegetarianism.
The Vegetarian Female (ISBN 0-89529-840-6) is a 286-page book, published by Avery Publishing Group, Inc., and can be purchased from The Vegetarian Resource Group by sending $16 per book (includes postage) to VRG, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.
Reviewed by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD.
COOK YOUR WAY TO THE LIFE YOU WANT
By Christina Pirello
Over 16 years ago, Christina Pirello was diagnosed with leukemia. Conventional therapies appeared to offer little hope, so Christina turned to a nutritional approach focusing on whole foods. She has been cancer-free for more than 15 years now.
Cook Your Way to the Life You Want offers a wide range of macrobiotic-style vegan recipes that are very creative and unique. The recipe section includes soups, grain-based dishes, bean dishes, vegetable dishes, and desserts. Christina also offers suggested natural home remedies in this section.
Recipes throughout the book include Tempeh with Lotus Root and Sauerkraut, Herb-Scented Roasted Daikon, Candied Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips with Bitter Greens, Vegetable Hotpot with Biscuit Topping, Apple-Cranberry Crisp, and a Raspberry-Hazelnut Torte. Christina focuses a lot of her attention on presentation and serving suggestions. Not all the recipes are easy or quick to prepare and, unfortunately, nutritional analyses are not offered in this book.
You will find a large section containing Christina's philosophy on how food should be prepared, including which foods should and should not be served with one another. Again, this information is based on a macrobiotic philosophy and personal opinion.
Cook Your Way to the Life You Want (ISBN 1-55788-321-1) is a hardcover book published by The Berkley Publishing Group and retails for $24.95. Look for it in your local bookstore.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
BEAUTIFUL FACE, BEAUTIFUL BODY
By Jaqulene Harper-Roth
Beautiful Face, Beautiful Body offers readers over 120 cruelty-free skin, hair, and body care recipes that are easy to make at home. Not only will you save money using this book, you'll also be helping animals and the environment.
The ingredients used to produce the recipes in this book include pure essential oils, cold-pressed plant oils, herbs, fruits, vegetables and wild edibles, as well as other natural resources. With these products you will be able to produce facials, mists and splashes, moisturizers, cleansers and tonics, scrubs and packs, aromatic and therapeutic baths, massage and body oils, hand and foot care items, hair and scalp care items, hair dyes, skin nutrient antiagers, and problem skin remedies. Many of the recipes can be prepared in no time at all with few ingredients. This book would make a terrific gift.
Beautiful Face, Beautiful Body (ISBN 0-425-17274-0) is published by The Berkley Publishing Group. It retails for $12.95 and can be found in bookstores.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
HOW IT ALL VEGAN!
By Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer
The authors of How It All Vegan! have been friends for many years and have a background in baking and catering. They are both also very interested in animal rights and environmental issues. Together they have produced a terrific new cookbook filled with exciting recipes. All the recipes are vegan with the exception of a few containing bee pollen or honey.
You will find recipes for Eggless Eggnog, Apple-Cinnamon Cornmeal Pancakes, Faux Eggs Benny, Ginger Peanut Soup, Butternut Tomato Soup, Ambrosia Salad, Balsamic Maple Dressing, Zesty Tomato Pesto, Elegant Cream Cheese, Sunflower Seed Avocado Spread, Dijon Scalloped Potatoes, Rustic Roasted Veggies, Voracious Vegan Paté, Nori Sushi Rolls, Sweet Potato Corn Bread, Maple Walnut Brownies, Creamy Coconut Pie, and much more.
This book offers little in the way of vegan nutrition information, which is perhaps best, since the small amount that is offered contains some inaccurate and out-dated information.
Finally, the authors offer readers some ideas on how to make your own vegan household cleaners, health and beauty products, as well as treats for companion animals.
How It All Vegan! (ISBN 1-55152-067-2) is published by Arsenal Pulp Press, 103, 1014 Homer St., Vancouver, BC Canada V6B 2W9. The book retails for $15.95 in the US and $18.95 in Canada. You can purchase this book in bookstores.
Reviewed by Debra Wasserman.
