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"crazy sexy kitchen" Produces plant-based excitement.

Several years ago, there were only a handful of vegan cookbooks. Today, there are dozens, and I recently found out that there are 200 new vegan cookbooks on the way!

Good news, unless you’re deciding which cookbook to add to your library. Fortunately for me, I didn’t have to choose, as I received a print version of Crazy Sexy Kitchen as a gift. Subtitled “150 Plant-Powered Recipes to Start a Delicious Revolution,” and avoiding the word “vegan,” Crazy Sexy Kitchen educates us on the many benefits of plant-based diets (for animals, the environment, and health). ) and declares that any move toward a “plant-passionate diet” and away from the standard American diet is a positive one.

Though some may believe that giving cookbooks exciting titles is a marketing gimmick, the approach of co-authors Kris Carr (of “Crazy Sexy Cancer”) and chef Chad Sarno is sure to appeal to anyone looking for increased vitality and fitness. physical.

What I like most about CSK is that it places great emphasis on healing recipes using fresh local vegetables and presents a variety of cuisines and cooking techniques, from the most basic to the most advanced. CSK has a wide variety of raw (16 pages dedicated to juices and smoothies, 23 pages to salads and a few main dishes) and technical recipes, as well as cooked recipes, featuring leading vegan chefs such as Tal Ronnen, Sarma Melngailis, and Fran Costigan.

Before delving into the recipes, the book gives you the basics of the Crazy Sexy Diet (Carr’s previous book), information on preparing your kitchen, and cooking tools and tips. Carr summarizes the Crazy Sexy Diet (CSD) as “a nutrient-dense approach to eating and living that harmonizes your beautiful body on a cellular level.” She explains that inflammation leads to disease, mentions the dangers of dairy, meat, and sugar, and also talks about acid/alkaline (pH) balance:

“As part of your inflammatory wellness plan, I encourage you to reduce or eliminate all unpleasant foods that irritate your body. Most foods commonly found in the Standard American Diet (SAD) (meat and dairy, refined carbs, wheat, processed foods) foods made with high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats. And let’s not forget chemicals, drugs, and anything else you can’t pronounce phonetically.”

Diagnosed with cancer at age 31, Carr addresses the controversial issue of soy products, saying that “many of the same doctors who tell patients to avoid soy never mention the copious amounts of estrogen and other growth hormones that They are found in dairy products. If you avoid soy as a result of a cancer diagnosis, strongly consider ditching dairy as well.”

All recipes are marked with symbols that label them based on dietary preference (soy-free, gluten-free, raw, kid-friendly), as well as level of difficulty (“eazy breezy” or “cheffy”) and “time saver.” . There are also a few pages (p. 274) of suggested menus with promising names like “Stress Free in 30 Minutes or Less,” “The Simple Life,” “For Your Valentine,” and “Office Lunch.”

I first heard Chad Sarno’s name when he was making his cashew cheese recipe on Tal Ronnen’s “The Conscious Cook” three years ago. It was my first exposure to raw food and I’m glad to see that Crazy Sexy Kitchen contains a nice sampling of raw recipes. In addition to juices and smoothies, there are old-school raw dishes such as raw noodles and “rawvioli” (ravioli made with casings made from sliced ​​beets). Carr says he encourages people to “increase their raw food intake” and that a mix of mostly raw and some cooked foods is ideal in the long run.

Although CSK has dozens of tempting recipes, some of my favorites are:

  • French Toast with Amaretto Cream (p. 105)

  • Heart of palm style crab cakes with remoulade (151)

  • Chickpeas with root vegetable tagine (185)

  • Beetroot Ravioli with Cashew Cream (193)

  • Madeira Pepper Tempeh (203)

  • Popcorn with rosemary (245)

  • Raw Apple Spiced Rum Cake with Vanilla Maple Glaze (273)

Is Crazy Sexy Kitchen a good option for you?

A cookbook is a very personal choice, especially if it means a change in diet and lifestyle, but here are some CSK features you might want to consider:

  • Recipes from a wide variety of chefs that will impress your friends and family and give you a broad perspective on all the possibilities of a plant-based diet.

  • Some raw recipes call for a high-speed blender and dehydrator, and this can be a turn-off for some. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have or can’t afford any equipment. A Spirooli Slicer is an inexpensive way to start. You can always put the other items in your “Wish List”.

  • It provides tips on how to save money that you can spend on buying local and organic ingredients.

  • Some recipes call for vegan butter or shortening or other vegan convenience foods (which I don’t like), but they are helpful for transitioning to a more plant-based diet.

Overall, Crazy Sexy Kitchen is appropriate for aspiring chefs, curious vegans, or just those who want to prepare healthier meals. For long-time vegans and seasoned cooks, it can complete your collection and broaden your horizon. With dozens of beautiful photographs and an attractive design, it also makes a great coffee table book and gift idea.

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