Forums: January 2011 Kickstart Forum: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book?
Created on: 01/31/11 11:54 AM Views: 2797 Replies: 14
soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, January 31, 2011 at 11:54 AM I just finished it last night, and while I believe Ms. Silverstone is sincere, there were quite a few things about her book that bother me. One is her assumption that everyone has a vegan or vegetarian restaurant nearby. She obviously does not live in a rural area or an area dominated by the meat-packing industry. I also did not realize when I bought the book that she leans toward the macrobiotic diet, which I decided a long time ago was not for me. I can't agree with their stance against what they call the "nightshades." She also badmouths frozen food and tells you to eat only "local, fresh foods." Sorry, but unless you live in a warm, sunny clime, there are times during the year when you must resort to foods that have been shipped in or to frozen foods. Besides, my understanding is that since frozen foods are flash-frozen shortly after picking, they actually have more nutrients than foods that have been shipped clear across the country, losing nutrients the whole way. She also uses a lot of fats and oils in her recipes, and she admits to "nicking" pieces of fish or milk-based desserts off her friends' plates at restaurants. I have lots of good books on this topic at home, but just thought Ms. Silverstone might have a new perspective on it and was very disappointed. I rarely get rid of my books, but I may look around for a friend to give this one away to. Anyone else have the same feelings about this book? Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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catbear Joined: 01/04/11 Posts: 76	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, January 31, 2011 at 1:53 PM I've read the book as well, and like you was not expecting it to be macrobiotic. Although I have many of the same reservations as you about the book, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Alicia's enthusiasm for plant based food is genuine and infectious. It just might encourage others to give it a try. And some of the recipes are really, really good. Try the mushroom pizzas, they are fantastic. I also love the baby bok choy with ume vinagrette, black-eyed pea croquettes, pan fried mochi, gomashio, egg salad sandwiches, sicilian collard greens, oatmeal and ginger pears. I didn't have to agree with the whole book to enjoy it for encouragement and new recipe ideas.
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, January 31, 2011 at 2:21 PM A few other things ... I found her writing style to be a bit off-putting, but I guess that might appeal to a younger demographic as opposed to an oldster like myself. And I was bothered by her comment that it is "unlikely" that there are no vegetarian restaurants in a given area, since I do, indeed, live in an area without vegetarian restaurants; even getting a vegetarian meal in a "normal" restaurant is quite iffy, and vegan? Forget it! But I guess that's why they make both chocolate and vanilla ... Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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chickadee Joined: 01/12/11 Location: North Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 52	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, January 31, 2011 at 3:49 PM I also live in an area where there are no vegetarian restaurants for several hundred miles. There is one restaurant about 50 miles away that we go to as a treat because they do make us beautiful meals on request - a wrap or stir fry. When we asked a local restaurant about a veggie stir fry we were told we couldn't have it because it was braised in a meat broth. As you can see we rarely go out to eat. But the people are different - they go out of their way to try to give me something that I can eat. Some even enjoy the challenge of a new way of cooking.
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:04 AM You are so lucky, Chickadee! We have a restaurant not too far away that claims to have vegetarian and vegan dinners available, but prices start at $15.99 ... so we don't go there. If I'm going to pay that, I will take the train to Philly and go to a "real" vegan restaurant; there are many down there, and the bonus is I would get to have dinner with my sons. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2072	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:23 AM We're kinda in-between. There's a tex-mex chain restaurant that has a nice vegetarian section on their menu - and it's easy enough to have them leave off the cheese and sour cream (which are often on the side to start with). There are two sushi places that have vegetarian/vegan options. And there are several other Asian restaurants (Chinese, Thai, etc) not too far away that have veg options. Plus, there's a local diner that is totally open to having menu items rearranged - DS has often mixed and matched things, added, removed, etc. The only "vegetarian/vegan" specific restaurant is a good 35-45 minutes away. Oh, and there's another place that we LOVE that has good veg*an items on their menu every day but that's a good 45 minutes or more and the prices are higher - that's saved for special occasions. --Deb R
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Oceandog Joined: 01/10/10 Location: California, USA Posts: 642	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:41 AM I can usually find "something" no matter where I am. Not always though and have gone without. I do have a harder time finding things gluten-free than vegan. As far as Alicia's book, I enjoyed it. I like reading about different people and styles. Some may or may not apply to me, but that is my choice to take up or toss out what they have. I do tend to shy away from vulgar or violence as I just don't want it floating about in my head. I am always open to leaning about different ways to handle being a vegan the healthy way. That said I have not read Skinny B** or any of those because I had heard many comments about the language and I don't care for that. I hope you can find someone who would love to read the book and possibly have learned just a bit from it yourself, if nothing, it has shown you a bit more clearly where your comfort zone is? That in itself can be a wonderful thing. You can always join your local freecycle on yahoo groups and offer it. I imagine it will go quickly. Best wishes! Kym Always offer kindness and a soft word to the beings around you; You do not know their journey. Your words can be the hug they need or the shove that breaks them.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2072	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:46 AM Oceandog wrote: You can always join your local freecycle on yahoo groups and offer it. I imagine it will go quickly. Best wishes! Kym Or donate it to the local public library so many people will have an opportunity to see it --Deb R
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cch22 Joined: 09/08/10 Location: New York State Posts: 1000	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 12:53 PM since it is a new book, your local library would probably be very happy to get it... and they would write you a letter for your taxes.
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 2:43 PM Bugsmom wrote: Oceandog wrote: You can always join your local freecycle on yahoo groups and offer it. I imagine it will go quickly. Best wishes! Kym Or donate it to the local public library so many people will have an opportunity to see it --Deb R That's a great idea! I did find some vulgarity in Ms. Silverstone's book ... not quite on the same level as Skinny B*tch but I really hate the word F*rt, which she used liberally. I found it to be a bit juvenile. But I will donate the book to the library, and maybe it will inspire someone else to change their diet. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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lisag81 Joined: 12/31/10 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 64	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 5:33 PM While I really liked her book, I don't see myself living like a "superhero" that much. I don't doubt the macrobiotic diet is extremely healthy, but I don't know that it's realistic for me to stick with. I just like my bananas and potatoes too much! haha Check out my blog as I do the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart! http://vegamorphosis.blogspot.com www
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DianeJ Joined: 01/01/10 Posts: 134	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 10:25 PM I actually enjoyed the book, especially the options for people new to this way of eating being offered different phases, i.e. "flirting", vegan, and then the more macrobiotic phase or "superhero". I thought she did a good job of presenting the idea that its not "all or nothing", which I feel is sometimes very off-putting for people trying to move in this direction. Many good ideas and suggestions for "newbies", and some very good recipes, although the more macrobiotic ones may not have universal appeal.
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, February 7, 2011 at 12:33 PM I guess it is her writing style I didn't like too much either, such as the use of the term "flirting;" made it seem all too cutesy and girlie. I would rather read a more matter-of-fact book, but then again, everyone likes something different. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, February 7, 2011 at 12:33 PM I guess it is her writing style I didn't like too much either, such as the use of the term "flirting;" made it seem all too cutesy and girlie. I would rather read a more matter-of-fact book, but then again, everyone likes something different. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Has anyone read Alicia Silverstone's book? Posted Monday, February 7, 2011 at 12:33 PM I guess it is her writing style I didn't like too much either, such as the use of the term "flirting;" made it seem all too cutesy and girlie. I would rather read a more matter-of-fact book, but then again, everyone likes something different. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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