The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet

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The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet

by Alicia Silverstone, Neal D. Barnard (Goodreads Author) (Introduction)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 5,237 ratings · 595 reviews

In The Kind Diet, actress, activist, and committed conservationist Alicia Silverstone shares the insights that encouraged her to swear off meat and dairy forever, and outlines the spectacular benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, from effortless weight loss to clear skin, off-the-chart energy, and smooth digestion. She explains how meat, fish, milk, and cheese—the very...more In The Kind Diet, actress, activist, and committed conservationist Alicia Silverstone shares the insights that encouraged her to swear off meat and dairy forever, and outlines the spectacular benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, from effortless weight loss to clear skin, off-the-chart energy, and smooth digestion. She explains how meat, fish, milk, and cheese—the very foods we’ve been taught to regard as the cornerstone of good nutrition—are actually the culprits behind escalating rates of disease and the cause of dire, potentially permanent damage to our ecology.

Yet going meat- and dairy-free doesn’t mean suffering deprivation; to the contrary, The Kind Diet introduces irresistibly delicious food that satisfies on every level—it even includes amazing desserts to keep the most stubborn sweet tooth happy. Alicia also addresses the nutritional concerns faced by many who are new to a plant-based diet, and shows how to cover every nutritional base, from protein to calcium and beyond.

Alicia knows that changing life-long dietary habits is a process, and that each person progresses at a different pace. For that reason, The Kind Diet encompasses 3 separate levels, from Flirting to Superhero. Flirts learn to dip a toe into the vegan pool, reducing their meat-eating and swapping out a few key foods for plant-based substitutes to see quickly how even small changes can reap big results. Vegans get to experience the life-altering effects of forgoing animal-products entirely, while still enjoying many convenience foods and meat substitutes in addition to the wonderful grains, vegetables and fruits that form the core of that diet. True enlightenment comes with the Superhero program, based on the principles of macrobiotics and built on a foundation of whole grains, vegetables, and other yummy foods that Alicia describes in detail.

Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds, boost your energy and metabolism, or simply save the world, Alicia provides the encouragement, the information, and the tools you need to make the transition to a plant-based diet deliciously empowering.(less)

Hardcover, 308 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by Rodale Books

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Jul 31, 2011 Bird rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, read-in-2011, social-responsibility

I want to preface my scathing review by mentioning that I am a vegetarian, and toying with the idea of veganism, so it is definitely not the book's subject matter that garnered my wrath.

There were so many things that bothered me about this book, that even though I finished it two weeks ago, I'm still talking about it to my husband. Alicia Silverstone has gone the route of many famous people these days, writing bad books that get published mainly because the author is, well, famous. Call me craz...more

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Mar 25, 2011 AJ LeBlanc rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: food, memoirs

Part of the reason I want this is so I can hear Cher Horowitz's voice in my head while I read.

"I am totally butt crazy in love with tofu."

----

First, yes, I did hear the entire book in Cher's voice.

This is sort of Eating Animals: The Light Version. The first part of the book is Alicia's journey to becoming vegan. She decided at an early age that she didn't want to eat animals, but when you're only 8, it can be difficult. She ate meat on and off before going veg full force.

She talks about reasons...more Part of the reason I want this is so I can hear Cher Horowitz's voice in my head while I read.

"I am totally butt crazy in love with tofu."

----

First, yes, I did hear the entire book in Cher's voice.

This is sort of Eating Animals: The Light Version. The first part of the book is Alicia's journey to becoming vegan. She decided at an early age that she didn't want to eat animals, but when you're only 8, it can be difficult. She ate meat on and off before going veg full force.

She talks about reasons why a plant based diet is a good idea, and this is where Eating Animals: The Light Version comes into play. She does touch on the industry and practices of factory farming as well as the emotions and behaviors of animals, but it feels more anecdotal than researched, even though she clearly did research. Both styles are effective, but for some reason part of these sections felt a little too fluffy for me, which is probably unfair. If someone was just learning about becoming a vegan and animal farming then this is a good resource. I also think it would work well for a younger audience. I don't mean this in a negative way - I think that teens would respond well to Alicia's voice and journey. I skimmed over a lot of these sections but I probably would have read them fully if I hadn't already read Eating Animals .

One thing I really liked is how she's honest about her eating. There are times when she'll be out and about and will snag a piece of cheese off a passed tray or nick a bite of sushi from a friend's plate. She explains how her body reacts to this and how physically horrible she feels either immediately after or the next morning. There's no judgment here, and I like this.

She spends a good part of the book talking about refined sugar and processed foods and how your body reacts to them. We all know about sugar crash and she tries to keep her diet completely free from refined sugars. She makes sure to include lots of dessert recipes to show that she's only giving up sugar and the resulting headaches, and not taste or happiness. Again, she talks about times when she will eat a sugary dessert and how her body reacts, but there's still no judgment. I think a lot of people get turned off by vegs because they feel like they'll be beaten up and then shunned if they so much as look at meat. Alicia celebrates moments when her friends realize how much better they feel with a plant based diet and doesn't bash on moments when people are eating meat. It's clear that she hopes more people will learn about their diet and the food industry, and as they start to ask questions will come to vegetarianism and veganism on their own.

The rest of the book is very friendly towards people who are flirting with a plant based diet to people who want to go full force super, including macrobiotics.

The recipes are a mixed bag. As with all cookbooks, there are things I'll never try because I refuse to spend $50 on a bottle of something that I only need 2 teaspoons of. She picks a good range of foods from friends and her own kitchen and there were things I'd try, but I'm glad I got this from the library because it wouldn't be a full time cookbook in my kitchen.(less)

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Apr 12, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: health-cookbooks

This is one of the better vegan books out there. She doesn't rely heavily on soy which I really appreciate. The recipes, for the most part, are normal, everyday foods that my kids would eat. The pictures are lovely.

The first half deals with why a person should become vegan. I wasn't really interested in this part since we eat meat - I'm just wanting to find more vegetarian recipes to add into our menus to decrease our use of meat and dairy. I think the author does a good job explaining the vegan...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Mypetconcubine rated it 5 of 5 stars

What's the book about?

This is not just a food diet it is a life diet. It shows you how to look at food in a new way consciously and decide for yourself if it is something I want in my body.

Like countless celebrities before her, actress Alicia Silverstone has put together a book that she says reveals the secrets of how she stays fit and healthy. In The Kind Diet, Silverstone she swears that a diet of only organic, vegan diet, free of meat, dairy, white sugar and processed foods is what keeps he...more

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Feb 08, 2010 Meridith rated it 2 of 5 stars

While I'm not a fan of books that tout veganism as a diet I make myself read books like this and (ugh) Skinny Bitch so I can critique the content instead of just making a judgment on the title alone. That said, I will say The Kind Diet is a beautiful book: full color photographs are used throughout. You will not forget this is a book by Alicia Silverstone since she and her husband are featured throughout but it doesn't go to the egotistical lengths of say, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen.

Silverstone wri...more While I'm not a fan of books that tout veganism as a diet I make myself read books like this and (ugh) Skinny Bitch so I can critique the content instead of just making a judgment on the title alone. That said, I will say The Kind Diet is a beautiful book: full color photographs are used throughout. You will not forget this is a book by Alicia Silverstone since she and her husband are featured throughout but it doesn't go to the egotistical lengths of say, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen.

Silverstone writes in a clear, personal manner that is engaging. The first half of the book details her experience transitioning to a vegan lifestyle and outlines what she considers "nasty" foods (e.g., dairy, meat, sugar and processed foods) and writes briefly about the moral, environmental and health reasons for a vegan diet. The second part focuses on transition strategies for a "flirt", "vegan", and "superhero" diet and follows with recipes. Recipe-wise, Silverstone's meals utilize some transitional foods like vegan cheese and sour cream, with the majority of recipes focusing on seasonal, preferably organic, whole food dishes. Individuals with an interest in macrobiotics may enjoy these recipes.

However. There are some things that bother me about The Kind Diet. First, the book is written with a female audience in mind, using terms like "girlfriend" or "sister" to refer to the reader; pictures of cute guys for "inspiration"; and statements that we (females) are best when in the kitchen...cooking healthy meals. It's a shame because her information on the treatment of animals is written in a way that could appeal to a wide audience.

I also found parts of the book unrealistic. While Silverstone has access to a variety of foods like umeboshi plums, lotus root, and daikon, not everyone has such access. In addition, eating out can be a challenge for people, so for her to say "Remember, the days of getting stuck with a big plate of steamed veggies are over" (pg 120) is a bit of an overstatement.

Finally, Silverstone takes great care to make veganism seem do-able, so I give her props. As a vegan myself, however, I would not suggest animal products to a would-be vegan. Despite her impassioned arguments for being vegan and the brief description of the atrocities of animal cruelty in the first part of the book, she recommends eating animal products. For example:

On eating at restaurants: "Yes, there's a bit of sugar in the tomato sauce, and most homemade pastas - like those used to make ravioli - are made with eggs. If so, I just let it go. Life's too short to get agitated about everything." (pg 121)

On transitioning to a vegan diet: "Alternate beans and new "meats" [i.e., vegan substitutes] with fish - one day fish, one day veggie. Fish, although it has serious issues, is the easiest to digest of all the flesh foods and leaves the body feeling lighter than beef, pork, or poultry." (pg 87)

The paragraph in the section titled "Temptations" (pg 121) describes her sneaking a piece of sushi off a friends dinner plate every so often and having a few spoonfuls of butterscotch pudding here and there.

At the very least all the recipes are vegan and contain no animal products. (less)

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Oct 24, 2012 suzy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've been on a temporary vegan kick for a couple months now, inspiring my boss to learn more about the benefits of eliminating animal foods. Alicia Silverstone's new book was her most recent finding so I got the chance to read through it the other day, and it's surprisingly one of the more tolerable publications concerning veganism.

The recipes sound really great, but my main complaint there is that I would be spending my whole paycheck at the Japanese aisle in Whole Foods to abide by her diet pl...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cooking, health

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Silverstone has a charming (if immature) writing style but too many of her ideas ring of pseudoscience. She's not an expert in nutrition but still feels free to make a lot of unsubstantiated claims (such as advising little to no spices for "superheros" and eating only local fruit because tropical fruit is too "warming" in a cold environment. What?)

Also, her ideas about being a "superhero" don't make a lot of sense. She advocates a mostly macrobiotic d...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Sammi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-help, vegetarian-vegan

Wither your Vegetarian, vegan or just plain interested in the world of vegetarian/veganism, this is the perfect book for you.
I wanted to read this from the second I heard about it and I absolutely loved it.
I was quite shocked through out the whole book. I never knew what all the meat and animal products where really doing to our bodies and health. I was so interested in all the information Alicia had compiled, I was hooked from the get go and finished it in a matter of days.
Not only was there he...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Pamela added it

I LOVED this book. Honestly, as someone who is overweight and feeling pretty nasty, the idea of an all-plant diet is very appealing (plus if there's even a remote chance that less red meat means fewer kidney stones for us, I'm all over it). Am also having issues with the cute little songs my daughter is singing about her pet turkey, which will end up on the diningroom table at Thanksgiving. Of course it's slanted to make the plant-eating lifestyle more attractive, but it's so like a breath of fr...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Susie rated it 3 of 5 stars

My cat ate a corner of this book. Because the partially devoured copy belonged to the library, I felt obligated to read the whole thing as I had become the proud new owner of it.

I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but they look tasty and not terribly difficult.

There are a few nit-pickeries that I had with this book:
1. Yes, Alicia Silverstone, you are lovely. But filling a diet book with too many pictures of yourself may induce eye rolling in the readers. One or two of you and your handsom...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Victoria Cramer rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my current favourite resource on veganism. I am a pescetarian making the transition to vegan.

The book is not without flaws, and I am going to address my two major gripes with it to get them out of the way. First: the book is very heteronormative. It is aimed at hetero-women. While the tone is friendly and conversational, and feels like having a conversation with a (hetero) girlfriend, it is unfortunate that this excellent resource is potentially alienating the entire LGBT community or m...more This is my current favourite resource on veganism. I am a pescetarian making the transition to vegan.

The book is not without flaws, and I am going to address my two major gripes with it to get them out of the way. First: the book is very heteronormative. It is aimed at hetero-women. While the tone is friendly and conversational, and feels like having a conversation with a (hetero) girlfriend, it is unfortunate that this excellent resource is potentially alienating the entire LGBT community or men.

My other issue is that it seems to assume in many spots that most women are looking to lose weight. However, perhaps I cannot fault the book for tapping into this. Even though losing weight is not my big motivator for going vegan, if I do drop a few pounds along the way, I won't be unhappy. While it may be unfortunate that weight-loss is such a big motivator for a lot of women to make healthy lifestyle changes, the sad reality is that losing weight is a big fixation for a huge number of women.

In spite of these flaws, the book is a very excellent and realistic resource for those who, like myself, still consume meat and/or dairy on occasion but are looking to go vegan. Although some people may take issue with the suggestion to alternate between fish and non-meat options while moving towards a vegan life, I find this to be more realistic than going full vegan overnight. Although in an ideal world I would never eat fish again, at this point, it is not realistic for me to make such a drastic change in my diet overnight. She also admits to occasionally consuming animal products, such as eggs, as ingredients in food (especially when dining out). Again, while this may be considered a short-coming of the book by those who advocate a 100% perfect-at-all-times vegan diet, I like the idea of not beating myself up if I (accidentally or otherwise) consume egg noodles in a restaurant. She is not advocating seeking out meat products or animal products, but rather is giving some perspective to going vegan, helping to make the change a bit more tolerable, and recognizing that while veganism is the ideal, we definitely do not live in an ideal world. I wish the world were more vegan-friendly, but it is not.

The recipes have, so far, proven to be delicious. There are a few "unusual" ingredients, as a city dweller, I have not yet come accross something I cannot find in my local farmer's market, natural food store, or various international food stores. Tracking down some of the ingredients could prove problematic if you do not have access to a good natural food store or international market. However, I would still encourage you to check out this book, as there are substitutes available for a lot of the ingredients, and many recipes do not call for "unusual" or hard-to-find ingredients.

Overall, this is a friendly, accessible resource for those who are interested in learning more about veganism and the meat and dairy industry. The studies consulted are referenced for those who are inclined to do more digging about the information provided in the book. It is not without faults; however, it more than makes up for those flaws with tasty recipes (the vegan cupcakes are a lovely little treat, for example) and information and advice to those looking to be introduced to a realistic, healthy, plant-based diet (with the occasional cupcake on the side). (less)

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Apr 30, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read this while I gave up a meat for lent. Gave me great recipes!! Loved how she gave the definition of diet "a way of living, or thinking, a day's journey" sounds so much better that way then what we have all come to the conclusion it means...or what we have learned what "diet" is.

Great book to read if you are in a "flirting" stage as she calls it to being a vegetarian or vegan. It's really not only about not eating animal products but also how it effects our environment. I don't most know if m...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Mrs.soule rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cookbooks, vegetarian, non-fiction, domestic-science

While I feel strange giving a book by Alicia Silverstone the same rating I gave, say, To Kill a Mockingbird, this book alone out of dozens I've read in the past two weeks convinced me our family could go vegan and be healthier for it. Since the night my enraged preschooler passionately declared he hated "bad people who eat dead animals" in the middle of a steak house (think Jesus cleansing the temple of moneylenders meets Rosemary's Baby), I’ve read every book our library has on children & v...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Silvia rated it 4 of 5 stars

A friend told me about this book and my first thought was "she writes? hahaha". But I kept open minded. As a very recent converted vegan, I'm willing to educate myself as much as possible. I liked the organization of the book. She broke it down to digestible (no pun intended) sections of describing the aspects of animals, environment, health, nasty foods, kind foods, and further broke down to implementing these knowledge into flirting, vegan, and macrobiotics. Half of the book is filled with rec...more

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Dec 29, 2010 Courtney Gawthorp rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cookbook

First, I'll say what I loved about this:

I really liked the first part of the book where Alicia talks about why you should adopt a cruelty-free diet. She wasn't lecturing or anything. I felt like I was having a mature conversation with her about my health and about animals.

I also liked part 2 that explains how you go vegan. She makes it seem really easy and she def. inspired me to finally take that step in my life. What's even better is that she's done this and so she understands cravings and wha...more

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Sep 01, 2010 Flissy rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: teenage wannabe veggies

I really wanted to love this book because I share a similar attitude about having plant based diet. It's about abundance and kindness to animals and the earth, and even if you're not willing to commit to a fully vegan (or in this case, macrobiotic) lifestyle, even choosing to explore vegan options is a good thing to do. Unfortunately, I thought the writing and editing were both terrible-- every page she's referring you to her website and sometimes repeating sentences word-for-word from a previou...more

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Aug 03, 2010 Emily rated it 2 of 5 stars

There were some great arguments for eating more vegetables and whole grains, which I completely supported. I was also glad she put in the information about the environmental impact of the commercial meat industry, and made such a push for whole foods.

I was really put off, though, by how poorly defended many of her points were.

"Humans are the only species who drink another species' milk" (while true, we are also the only species who cooks & uses recipes, watches movies, wears clothes, and w...more

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Jul 24, 2010 Keri rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'll admit that I picked this book up because I was surprised to see Alicia Silverstone on the cover. I've actually been looking for a book like this, something that would explain how to start out on the path to a vegetarian (she actually encourages vegan) diet. Half her information is well documented research and the other half is anecdotal, so I had to pay close attention to what was truth and what was propaganda. I figure if even half of what she says is true, then I really have no desire to...more

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Jul 18, 2010 Kaya rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am thoroughly inspired to eat better after reading this.

Lots of interesting stuff, some horrifying. Um, when animals are euthanized in kill shelters they send their corpses to a rendering facility, boil em down, then use the gunk to feed to both meat and dairy cattle. Then some laws went in place to ban this, but not all those laws are being enforced. And bad pet food got dead dogs and cats in it. For shame!

So I am doing a vegan month in August. Maybe this will be the final step to my dairy w...more I am thoroughly inspired to eat better after reading this.

Lots of interesting stuff, some horrifying. Um, when animals are euthanized in kill shelters they send their corpses to a rendering facility, boil em down, then use the gunk to feed to both meat and dairy cattle. Then some laws went in place to ban this, but not all those laws are being enforced. And bad pet food got dead dogs and cats in it. For shame!

So I am doing a vegan month in August. Maybe this will be the final step to my dairy weaning and harnessing the power of oats and Tofutti Cutie sandwiches. Woohoo!: http://myveganmonth.wordpress.com/

The book was more inspirational than preachy. I liked how positive Cher was. "You can do it!" "Yay Nature!" I'm gonna give this to everyone for a present because it's full of tips for healthier/more responsible eating, even if one is a meat-eater. Buy organic, buy local, buy grass and grain-fed whenever possible if you don't wanna eat animals that are fed sh*t, literally.

With eggs buy Certified Humane cuz if not we're eating medieval torture chamber eggs. Like, sick, sick "Saw Part 10" stuff. Male chicks get tossed in woodchippers or the dumpster (alive). Chicks get their beaks CUT OFF on day 1. And the whole deal with chicken cages stacked on top of one another with the chickies never seeing the sun and inhaling and eating so much chicken feces that they gotta be pumped with anti-biotics. This book doesn't go too heavy into the dark side so it's good for the casual reader who might not know anything about the factory farm system.

The Kabocha Soybean stew is the bomb. And my mind has been newly BLOWN by umeboshi plum vinegar which sounds very dandy-ish but it was only 4 bucks at the Co-op. Mix it with equal parts Vegenaise (another new discovery) and squirt in some lemon juice and you got yourself a most impressive salad dressing. I love coming across completely new flavors.

The library snatched this back before I could finish cooking all the recipes I wanted BUTT get this! If you go on Amazon and look at this book you can see any and ALL pages of it. Recipe score!

I am hoping abstaining from dairy will make me less phlegmy and look younger. So when you see the easy-breathing baby on your doorstep, let me in! Baby need new diapey.(less)

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Jul 17, 2010 Brigid rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: health, read-in-2010

I was so, so disappointed by this book. I want to say first and foremost that I am a full vegetarian and about 75% vegan, so my beef (no pun intended) with this book is not the preachiness to quit eating meat and animal products. Alicia Silverstone is not a great writer, and that in and of itself would be fine if her book was not full of unsound health advice. She makes claims that she never substantiates (such as why you shouldn't use spices in your food if you are an eating "superhero"), and s...more

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Jul 07, 2010 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that probably becuase of her ditsy role in "Clueless" I wasn't ready to take Silverstone seriously but she knows her stuff and is a very compassionate person. This is for anyone looking to be healthy physically and mentally/spiritually. Filled with healthy and compassionate commonsense that, unfortunetly, isn't so common.

She makes veganism more accessible to the not yet converted, emphasizing that it's okay to be imperfect and sometimes you make mistakes and you may not be able t...more

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Mar 03, 2010 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: health, self-improvement, sustainable-living, vegetarianism, veganism

This was a really great read about vegetarianism, or more accurately veganism, and what it entails along with insights into being environmentally friendly. The book covers all aspects of what to do to live healthfully, taking care of your body and our planet. Alicia Silverstone uses easy to understand writing and a conversational style tone to convey heavier topics such as why one should abstain from animal products. She takes leading research from The China Study, Dr. Furhman, Dr. Ornish and Dr...more This was a really great read about vegetarianism, or more accurately veganism, and what it entails along with insights into being environmentally friendly. The book covers all aspects of what to do to live healthfully, taking care of your body and our planet. Alicia Silverstone uses easy to understand writing and a conversational style tone to convey heavier topics such as why one should abstain from animal products. She takes leading research from The China Study, Dr. Furhman, Dr. Ornish and Dr. Barnard and breaks things down so that it is digestible and concise. For those new to vegetarianism or want to know more about the lifestyle without reading a plethora of books, this is the book for you. Often books on vegetarianism/veganism are emotionally weighty but the tone of Alicia's book is happy, light and encouraging. She does not call for anyone to be a legalistic vegan, but rather to start slowly and gives three stages - flirt, vegan and superhero. Her superhero chapter and recipes goes into macrobiotics, which I found highly interesting to read. This was my first encounter with macrobiotics and it just made sense. I was encouraged after reading "The Kind Diet" to read other books that Alicia recommended like the "The Hip Chicks Guide to Macrobiotics" which is also a good read.

I have made some recipes from Alicia's book and all I can say is "Wow!" Every recipe has been amazing, tantalizing and intriguing. None of them have been boring, that is for sure! Her homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are to die for. Her vegan recipes are comforting and pleasing - taking a more nutritious spin on old favorites, while her superhero recipes are wholesome, filling and energizing.

From her vegan recipes I have made:
*Radicchio Pizza with Truffle oil - who knew salad on a piece could be that good?
*Alicia's Sexy Inspired Salad - amazing sweet, tangy and rich dressing
*Caesar Salad - really good veganized Caesar!
*Coffee Fudge Brownies - the frosting is sinful but oh-so-amazing
*Traditional English Breakfast - of all the times I have eaten an English breakfast, I have never had Kale and this really makes the breakfast!

From her superhero recipes I have made:
*Toasted Nori Burritos - quick, easy and delicious, really filling too!
*Thin Mushroom "Pizzas" - this is hands down my now favorite veg pizza
*Polenta Casserole with Seitan - this one did not come out too well for me, but I think it is because my polenta was too runny when I put it in the casserole to bake. Did not turn out firm, but rather mushy and not tasty.
*Doma with Tofu Cream - my first attempt at making stuffed cabbage rolls and it was divine! The cream is out of this world!
*Fried Rice - quick, easy and delicious with lots of fresh ingredients and very healthy - first time I had daikon and lotus root and both were crunchy and delightful.
*Baby Bok Choy Drizzled with Ume Vinaigrette - light and satisfying. I added some mirin and this was a wonderful salty, sweet, tangy creation.
*Alicia's Soft Rice Porridge - who knew rice could be so satisfying for breakfast?

Next up - tempura. I'm looking forward to it! Happy eating from the outside in!(less)

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Jan 27, 2010 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographical, non-fiction, foodie-reading, 2010, books-i-own

Okay, so in elementary, I was a HUGE fan of Clueless and Alicia Silverstone. I was a relatively new vegetarian (new at it compared to now, when it's been over twelve years) and she was active in PETA and also super-cute. Basically, I wanted to be Alicia Silverstone. I even did a book report on an unauthorized biography of her for sixth-grade English class.

Now Alicia has given me the tools, er recipes, to be more like her. I'm not sure how I feel about this book being labeled as a "Diet" book. It...more Okay, so in elementary, I was a HUGE fan of Clueless and Alicia Silverstone. I was a relatively new vegetarian (new at it compared to now, when it's been over twelve years) and she was active in PETA and also super-cute. Basically, I wanted to be Alicia Silverstone. I even did a book report on an unauthorized biography of her for sixth-grade English class.

Now Alicia has given me the tools, er recipes, to be more like her. I'm not sure how I feel about this book being labeled as a "Diet" book. It's really more a lifestyle that Silverstone suggests, after all the subtitle tells you you will be "Saving the Planet" by following her suggestions.

Here are the suggestions: Stop eating meat, Stop eating dairy, Stop eating eggs, Discover whole grains and beans which are super good and super good for you, Stop eating refined sugar, And so on. I'll admit, the book gets a little preachy in the parts about why you should stop eating meat (although not super graphic in the way that books like Foer's Eating Animals gets about their conditions). Suffice it to say that factory farms are inhumane and that it is more cost effective and healthier to eat a plant-based diet.

Here's what Alicia's book does really well: It gives you several levels of diet, flirting, vegan, and superhero to try. It's a good way to ease yourself into eating more healthful foods, giving you options instead of just saying "eat this, not that" (which, coincidentally is the title of a series of dieting books). Alicia's book also gives you a complete guide to her favorite vegan foods (from envirokids crispy rice bars for snacks to veganaise in you tofu-based "egg" salad) there are even recipes for a complete, completely vegan traditional English breakfast (Alicia's parents are British).

Yes, the recipes. As they say the proof is in the pudding, and I knew that before rating this book I had to try at least one recipe. I made Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup, and I have to say it is pretty much what pushed the book's rating up to 5 stars, it's just really savory and delicious, my whole family and my boyfriend liked it a lot, and it's very good for you. So now instead of doing book reports about Silverstone, I'm just going to borrow some of her recipes. Next up is her recipe for Candied Ginger Pears, it looks amazing. I'm still an ovo-lacto vegetarian, but going vegan is looking a lot easier and tastier after reading this.

Also, you can check out thekindlife.com for updates from Alicia and vegan forums.(less)

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Jan 18, 2010 Cara St.Hilaire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic book. The moment I picked it up, I read the entire thing in one shot (half of it is information and the other half is recipes). It definitely inspired me to go vegan again as much as possible. She describes the "nasty foods” in a very frank and honest way -- why they are nasty to the environment, nasty to animals, and nasty to our bodies (sugar, dairy, meat, etc.). There are vegan inspiring facts along the way, such as "More than 95 percent of eggs sold in the US come from b...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Jen Kirsch rated it 4 of 5 stars

As someone flirting with the idea of a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle, I knew with certainty that this was the first book I wanted to check out on my journey. Alicia is an activist and is known for being vegan for - what is it, 14 - years now. Her tone is conversational, which made reading stuff like stats and study results easy and, dare I say, fun. I never felt overwhelmed with details, but instead feel like this book did it's best to give me the information needed to become more aware abou...more

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Mar 16, 2010 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who want to eat better, environmentalists, people who love animals, hippies

Sigh.

I love Alicia Silverstone. No, really! But this book really brings out her bubble-headedness. Which is saying something, coming from someone who enjoys her professional work and was really wanting to be inspired to take another step in the journey of eating kinder. In the end though, I discovered the recipes here represent exactly what I hate about many cookbooks.

The big idea of the book is that if you're eating an average American diet, you can experiment with vegan alternatives. Vegetaria...more Sigh.

I love Alicia Silverstone. No, really! But this book really brings out her bubble-headedness. Which is saying something, coming from someone who enjoys her professional work and was really wanting to be inspired to take another step in the journey of eating kinder. In the end though, I discovered the recipes here represent exactly what I hate about many cookbooks.

The big idea of the book is that if you're eating an average American diet, you can experiment with vegan alternatives. Vegetarians can go vegan. Vegans can go whole-food, organic, or localvore. Everyone can go further toward a healthy diet, which impacts one's own wellness as well as the wellness of the earth. As someone who has been vegetarian for 16 years, yes, I get it.

Unfortunately, every single recipe in the book requires some ingredient I would need to go out of my way to chase down somewhere: mostly daikon, umeboshi products, or kabocha squash. Of the two recipes I made yesterday (wheat biscuits–the only thing I had all the ingredients for, and oatmeal-from which I omitted the maple syrup and substituted raisins for dates)–they didn't taste as "yummy!" as Alicia promised. I don't want to chase down ingredients to try new recipes–so Mark Bittman's How to Cook Anything Vegetarian, with its simple, basic recipes and ingredients, and easy vegan adaptations is going to win out.

On top of this, the writer (I'm assuming she used an uncredited ghost writer–most everyone does) inserted Alicia-speak everywhere possible. Many of the recipe introductions say "They're so good," "Yummy!" or "This dish is delicious!"–if a recipe needs to tell the reader it's good, it's probably a hard sell otherwise. Here's a particularly representative example:
"I used to eat the presweetened, instant oatmeal that came in a packet until I joined the cast of a play about Orthodox Judaism in which I portrayed a lesbian who has a cocaine overdose on stage...anyhoo, another actress in the show, Lesa Carlson, taught me how to make this oatmeal! I love using dates from the farmers' market."
Yes, Alicia loves the farmers' market and reminds us of this at every turn. I also love the farmers market–except when you don't live in southern California, they're not open year round–making the "more affordable" argument for organics rather flimsy.

Frequently I have thought about taking the next step and doing a vegan experiment–but these recipes are not what I'm going to be using if or when I do so. Back to the library with you, book!(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing. I've been flirting with the idea of going vegan and eventually to a macrobiotic diet. I am currently a vegetarian and so have some idea of the nutritional, political, environmental, etc. ideas behind veganism, but I found a lot of the research I was doing, especially on macrobiotics, to be very conflicting, confusing, poorly communicated, brief, etc.

That changed when I read this book! Alicia lays out everything you need to know about veganism and becoming a Superhero (foll...more

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Dec 20, 2010 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: food-cooking, raw

Oh, good God, unless you are a tween or sorority girl, you, like, aren't going to be able to, like, read this book without, like, wanting to stab your eyeballs out. How old is Alicia Silverstone???? Her narrative sounds like she's 15. The tone of this book is very... young.

Maybe I'm just getting old. And grumpy.

Kudos to Silverstone, as it does appear that she actually wrote this book herself, and did not just slap her name and photo on the cover. Her passion and conviction is clear, and she off...more Oh, good God, unless you are a tween or sorority girl, you, like, aren't going to be able to, like, read this book without, like, wanting to stab your eyeballs out. How old is Alicia Silverstone???? Her narrative sounds like she's 15. The tone of this book is very... young.

Maybe I'm just getting old. And grumpy.

Kudos to Silverstone, as it does appear that she actually wrote this book herself, and did not just slap her name and photo on the cover. Her passion and conviction is clear, and she offers her perspective on why and how to eat vegan, including tips for eating at restaurants, traveling, etc.

The photos are beautiful, she positively glows in her photos and writing, and it is a very positive book.

I simply cannot stand to read the text of this book, the language is just too... young? I'm not sure of the word I am really looking for here... for me. But I know enough about raw and vegan that I didn't need to read that part, thank goodness. I was really interested in the recipes.

The recipes are all vegan, mostly cooked. There are a few raw vegan recipes.

I found the recipes to be heavy on soy, but that's not unusual for vegan cookbooks. There are also several hard-to-find and/or expensive ingredients (i.e. umeboshi plums, specialty unprocessed sugar) that are used in multiple recipes. These ingredients can be subbed out with others, so that's not a dealbreaker, but it might be discouraging for some readers who are new to vegan cooking, if they perceive that a plant-based diet requires specialty ingredients.

There are only a few recipes I can use, due to other allergies, but overall, the recipes look good. I will try those which I can (I've already tried "raw balls" which are amazing) but will say, the others do look yummy! Particularly the asian-inspired recipes. Mmm.

I would think this book might resonate with those college age or younger. It is also ok for someone already familiar with the how & why of eating a plant-based diet who only wants to explore new recipes. I wouldn't choose this book as an adult's first introduction to a vegan/plant-based diet. The info is good, but the tone is, like, totally, so, like, young.(less)

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May 04, 2010 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, non-fiction

I LOVE this book!!! I got this copy from the library, but as soon as I have extra money I'm going to go buy it. I really enjoyed reading the beginning about the bad foods and what they do not only to your body but to the environment. I'm already a vegetarian, so reading some of these facts just reinforced that I know I'm doing the right thing by abstaining from meat.

I liked the way that everything was connected. From eating great food, to saving the environment at the same time, and because of a...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the concept of "The Kind Diet," and the way Alicia emphasizes that veganism is a way to make food choices that are kind to your body, the planet and (of course) to animals. She takes veganism away from deprivation and constantly saying "no" to certain foods, and moves it towards saying "yes" to a kinder lifestyle.
That being said, I found the tone of the book annoying, which is why I didn't give it five stars. Alicia seems to think that because she is a celebrity, people are dying to know...more

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About Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone is an American actress, author, and former fashion model. She first came to widespread attention in music videos for Aerosmith, and is best known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Clueless (1995) and her portrayal of Batgirl in Batman & Robin (1997).

In 2009, Silverstone released The Kind Diet, a guide to vegan nutrition.

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