That Put the FUN in Flexitarian
My second child, Zac, has never really been fond of meat. When he came to us a few years ago and said he wanted to bevegetarian it didn’t come as a surprise. I explained to him that meat was an outstanding source of protein and that he was going to need to find a way to maintain his protein levels to stay healthy.
I know folks who are vegetarian and I suppose my one issue with Zac wanting to be vegetarian was that the more strict the vegetarianism, especially by those who, like Zac, approach it without an educated foundation of diet have been sick and pale. Please don’t judge me, I know this is not the case for ALL vegetarians, as I certainly know those who are successful and healthy.
Since Zac eating healthy and being healthy is my priority, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review The Part-Time Vegan by Cherise Grifoni. Vegan is where Zac would ultimately love to find himself. We’re still working on his balance of iron and proteins before he can take this leap.
The book begins with a “Totally Not Boring Intro”. It was just that, totally not boring. It was a great introduction. I found more information in the next chapter, Veganism 101. Here I realized we had a pantry with the makings of a vegan home. We use Agave Nectar, coconut oil, and from time to time, egg replacement. There was also a mention of honey. Zac and I have had this argument on whether it is vegan or not.
One of the parts of this book that I love is that there is a measurement that tells us which ingredients are high in protein, high in fiber and “flex” when you need a break from vegan eating.
Throughout The Part Time Vegan, I found recipes that sounded delicious: Baked Zucchini Fries, Gingered and Praline Sweet Potatoes, Lean Mean Black Mean Guacamole. There are 201 recipes in the book and eleven dinner plans.
One of the things I think The Part-Time Vegan has gone awry on it failing to include any pictures. The cover has two pictures and the back flap a few more. I would have loved to have seen these pictures incorporated into the book as they look delicious and would have added some dimension to the process of reading!
The second thing is there is no nutritional or caloric information. As a mom, struggling to teach her child the importance of protein, iron, and fiber, this would have been helpful. It would also help those making the transition from a carnivorous lifestyle to a part-time vegan be educated.
As Zac and I looked through the book and looked for the ingredients in our outings, the cost of some of them was far more than I was willing to pay.
I also learned about bread. It can take a vegan dish to non-vegan unless it has Lactylate. I told Zac we’ll continue to bastardize the black bean burgers he makes with bread crumbs.
This being said, The Part-Time Vegan: 201 Yummy Recipes that Put the Fun in Flexitarian (Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, March 2011) has given new insight to Zac and to me. The recipes are things I can incorporate into the meals of the carnivorous family members who dine at the same table as Zac. I enjoyed seeing new twists on vegetables and dips so that I can accommodate everyone!
Here are some of the recipes tucked inside:
- Purely Vegan Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread
- Lean, Mean, Black Bean Guacamole
- Very Vegan Potato Pesto Salad
- Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup
- Roasted-Garlic Mashed Taters
- Spanish Artichoke and Zucchini Paella
- Barley Pilaf with Edamame and Roasted Red Pepper
I’m also excited to introduce tofu into our diet. I’ve had some before that tasted amazing, though my experience has always been so amazing. With The Part-Time Vegan I’m feeling confident I can make Tofu a great tasting encounter at my house!
About the Author:
Author Cherise Grifoni is your no-nonsense, quick-witted guide to the seemingly complex world of no-meat, no-eggs, no-dairy! Here she is making her Raw Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake from the book!
I received The Part-Time Vegan in order to facilitate an honest review. No other compensation was received. The opinions, where expressed, are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Others experiences may vary.