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The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life
Howard Stern’s celebrated sidekick, Robin Quivers, presents her vegan cookbook and manifesto with more than 90 healthy recipes for the home cook.
Known for her levelheaded, deadpan comebacks to Howard Stern’s often outrageous banter, Robin Quivers has developed an image as a powerful force. Yet few people know about her struggles with food—especially the high-fat, high-sugar, high-cholesterol, highly addictive foods that doomed many of her relatives to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sick and tired of being sick and tired, she knew it was time to stop her slow slide into bad health. Quivers took a stand in her personal nutrition battle and emerged victorious thanks to a plant-based diet.
On her sometimes rocky, though endearingly hysterical, path to newfound health, Quivers discovered the power of the produce aisle in changing her body and her mindset. By filling up on soul-quenching, cell-loving vegetables instead of damaging animal products and processed foods, Quivers left behind the injuries, aches, and pains that had plagued her for twenty years. Charting her inspiring road to wellness, The Vegucation of Robin describes her transformation inside and out, and, with the inclusion of ninety of her favorite vegan recipes, she encourages readers to join her in putting their health first.
With her signature humor and wit, Quivers builds an undeniable case that the key to living the life you’ve always wanted lies not with your doctor but in your refrigerator. Putting a new face on the pro-veggie movement, Quivers’s star power is sure to dazzle readers who want to look good, feel good, and have fun doing it.
Known for her levelheaded, deadpan comebacks to Howard Stern’s often outrageous banter, Robin Quivers has developed an image as a powerful force. Yet few people know about her struggles with food—especially the high-fat, high-sugar, high-cholesterol, highly addictive foods that doomed many of her relatives to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sick and tired of being sick and tired, she knew it was time to stop her slow slide into bad health. Quivers took a stand in her personal nutrition battle and emerged victorious thanks to a plant-based diet.
On her sometimes rocky, though endearingly hysterical, path to newfound health, Quivers discovered the power of the produce aisle in changing her body and her mindset. By filling up on soul-quenching, cell-loving vegetables instead of damaging animal products and processed foods, Quivers left behind the injuries, aches, and pains that had plagued her for twenty years. Charting her inspiring road to wellness, The Vegucation of Robin describes her transformation inside and out, and, with the inclusion of ninety of her favorite vegan recipes, she encourages readers to join her in putting their health first.
With her signature humor and wit, Quivers builds an undeniable case that the key to living the life you’ve always wanted lies not with your doctor but in your refrigerator. Putting a new face on the pro-veggie movement, Quivers’s star power is sure to dazzle readers who want to look good, feel good, and have fun doing it.
261 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
36 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Robin Quivers
5 books13 followersRobin Ophelia Quivers is an American talk show host and Howard Stern's primary co-host on his morning radio show.
Quivers' autobiography was published in 1995, revealing to the world the details of her career as Stern's on-air "sidekick" with her distinctive laugh, as well as her former experiences in the military and and employed as a hospital nurse. The book also reveals the harrowing details of Quivers' abusive childhood.
Quivers' autobiography was published in 1995, revealing to the world the details of her career as Stern's on-air "sidekick" with her distinctive laugh, as well as her former experiences in the military and and employed as a hospital nurse. The book also reveals the harrowing details of Quivers' abusive childhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 14, 2017
Robin Quivers's book, The Vegucation of Robin, has great info and she had a noble reason for writing it. I believe she truly wants to help others who are unhealthy and unaware that the "healthy" American diet is slowly killing them, and, certainly, the unhealthy one is torturing them. Yes, it's a vegan book, but she doesn't let vegans off the hook once they put down the animal products. I am reminded that my consumption of sugar and processed foods is putting me at risk for the same diseases, aches, symptoms, exhaustion, etc, that I am aiming to avoid by cutting out animal products from my diet. We only have one body, and we need to fuel it with good stuff.
That being said....the second half of the book is full of recipes with ingredients that are far too strange. In this aspect, Robin Quivers is the vegan equivalent to Martha Stewart: a little too fancy-pants for everyday cooking for the family. I know I live in Wyoming, so perhaps I am an anomaly, but I'm guessing there are no purple potatoes, haricot verts, sorrel, sunchokes, nettles, escarole, or fiddleheads grown or sold in this entire state. Or maybe I'm just too new at plant-based eating to have heard of any of those vegetables. Come to think of it, I was nearly nineteen when I first heard of hummus, so I'm willing to admit healthfood ignorance. :/
That being said....the second half of the book is full of recipes with ingredients that are far too strange. In this aspect, Robin Quivers is the vegan equivalent to Martha Stewart: a little too fancy-pants for everyday cooking for the family. I know I live in Wyoming, so perhaps I am an anomaly, but I'm guessing there are no purple potatoes, haricot verts, sorrel, sunchokes, nettles, escarole, or fiddleheads grown or sold in this entire state. Or maybe I'm just too new at plant-based eating to have heard of any of those vegetables. Come to think of it, I was nearly nineteen when I first heard of hummus, so I'm willing to admit healthfood ignorance. :/
January 14, 2014
A humour-filled look at what was a serious matter (serious health problems) and the changes that were made for the better is what this hybrid autobiography/self-help/recipe book is, albeit with a sticker price that you might need a sense of humour to stomach at first glance.
For fans of the Howard Stern radio programme, author Robin Quivers will be no stranger, playing straight woman to some of Howard's excesses. What is perhaps less known is the author's major struggles with her diet that doomed many of her relatives to obesity, diabetes and heart disease - things were not exactly a riot for her either. One day the hammer came down, a decision was taken and the start of a plant-based diet, a vegetation was born. This is her story.
The author mixes personal testimony, opinion, science and advice carefully together with the dexterity of a master chef, managing to make the story compelling, interesting and accessible even to this most-dedicated meat-eater of a reviewer. What is particularly pleasing to this professional sceptic is the conditioned use of humour. Far too many books of this genre start off with what appears to be a bit of a tirade. The reader is lectured to and hectored about their previous "wrong" lifestyle choice and told that there is only one clear way to future salvation, their way. Think of a stereotype of a rather irritating preacher in a shopping mall and you get the message. No such worries here with this author, reading it was at times heavy going but still a pleasure nonetheless.
There is a lot of information. A heck of a lot, one is not even at the stage of getting ready to detox, let alone cook. Yet things do not feel verbose or padded out. One can sense the enthusiasm and excitement that the author holds to the subject, emboldened no doubt by her own successes and perceived benefits. This is not meant to sound sarcastic or be an act of ridicule. This reviewer wasn't swayed to change his lifestyle direction but it would be fair to say that certainly by remaining open-minded a lot of information was subsumed that will, in part, lead to subtle modification in one way or another. One person's change is another person's modification. The approach taken by the book didn't alienate so there was a greater impetus to read and possibly learn, even if one doesn't agree with everything.
Once you have examined and possibly undertaken the detoxification stage, there is still a lot more advice given as to changing your behaviour and hopefully following a new pathway rather than just yet another fad. There is no follow-by-numbers programme. You need to read through it for yourself, digest the information, want to change and make the changes. Maybe you won't go the whole hog at first, or ever, or maybe you will be instantly sold on the way forward. At least with this book's approach both ways are acceptable. There is probably no wrong answer. As you delve deeper and deeper into the book you can begin to understand why it is priced as it is. In a positive way it feels that it will never end. The recipes are detailed, contain everything you need in clear to understand blocks, there is even an estimation of the preparation and cooking times! Measures are sadly in American imperial units only though and not every dish has its own photograph. Small whinges. The book's price is a bit of an issue unless you know you really are ready for a change and will at least try to change, otherwise it could be a bit of an expensive whim purchase. When looking at the various recipes again it could still function also as a good alternative recipe book for someone who isn't "signed up to the programme" but as a spur-of-the-moment purchase it might just require a thought too many. Sure, you have to pay for quality but the higher the price the more discretionary the purchase can often be.
Reviewing a book of this kind is always difficult, particularly if you are not going to undertake a given programme. It is easier when you are sceptical towards the whole vegetarian movement, as a dedicated meat eater, even if you can accept an alternative point of view and remain objective anyway. It would be fair to say that this is one of the better, more convincing, more encompassing alternative dietary lifestyle/vegetarian books that this reviewer has considered. It is not shouty and in your face, it certainly seems to deliver on many levels and it has a great self-effacing humour shining throughout thanks to the author displaying her "warts and all" life story. A book worthy of serious consideration, whether you want a lifestyle change, a bit of a tune-up or just fancy something different that could be good for you.
The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life, written by Robin Quivers and published by Avery/Penguin Group. ISBN 9781583334737, 272 pages. Typical price: USD35. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
For fans of the Howard Stern radio programme, author Robin Quivers will be no stranger, playing straight woman to some of Howard's excesses. What is perhaps less known is the author's major struggles with her diet that doomed many of her relatives to obesity, diabetes and heart disease - things were not exactly a riot for her either. One day the hammer came down, a decision was taken and the start of a plant-based diet, a vegetation was born. This is her story.
The author mixes personal testimony, opinion, science and advice carefully together with the dexterity of a master chef, managing to make the story compelling, interesting and accessible even to this most-dedicated meat-eater of a reviewer. What is particularly pleasing to this professional sceptic is the conditioned use of humour. Far too many books of this genre start off with what appears to be a bit of a tirade. The reader is lectured to and hectored about their previous "wrong" lifestyle choice and told that there is only one clear way to future salvation, their way. Think of a stereotype of a rather irritating preacher in a shopping mall and you get the message. No such worries here with this author, reading it was at times heavy going but still a pleasure nonetheless.
There is a lot of information. A heck of a lot, one is not even at the stage of getting ready to detox, let alone cook. Yet things do not feel verbose or padded out. One can sense the enthusiasm and excitement that the author holds to the subject, emboldened no doubt by her own successes and perceived benefits. This is not meant to sound sarcastic or be an act of ridicule. This reviewer wasn't swayed to change his lifestyle direction but it would be fair to say that certainly by remaining open-minded a lot of information was subsumed that will, in part, lead to subtle modification in one way or another. One person's change is another person's modification. The approach taken by the book didn't alienate so there was a greater impetus to read and possibly learn, even if one doesn't agree with everything.
Once you have examined and possibly undertaken the detoxification stage, there is still a lot more advice given as to changing your behaviour and hopefully following a new pathway rather than just yet another fad. There is no follow-by-numbers programme. You need to read through it for yourself, digest the information, want to change and make the changes. Maybe you won't go the whole hog at first, or ever, or maybe you will be instantly sold on the way forward. At least with this book's approach both ways are acceptable. There is probably no wrong answer. As you delve deeper and deeper into the book you can begin to understand why it is priced as it is. In a positive way it feels that it will never end. The recipes are detailed, contain everything you need in clear to understand blocks, there is even an estimation of the preparation and cooking times! Measures are sadly in American imperial units only though and not every dish has its own photograph. Small whinges. The book's price is a bit of an issue unless you know you really are ready for a change and will at least try to change, otherwise it could be a bit of an expensive whim purchase. When looking at the various recipes again it could still function also as a good alternative recipe book for someone who isn't "signed up to the programme" but as a spur-of-the-moment purchase it might just require a thought too many. Sure, you have to pay for quality but the higher the price the more discretionary the purchase can often be.
Reviewing a book of this kind is always difficult, particularly if you are not going to undertake a given programme. It is easier when you are sceptical towards the whole vegetarian movement, as a dedicated meat eater, even if you can accept an alternative point of view and remain objective anyway. It would be fair to say that this is one of the better, more convincing, more encompassing alternative dietary lifestyle/vegetarian books that this reviewer has considered. It is not shouty and in your face, it certainly seems to deliver on many levels and it has a great self-effacing humour shining throughout thanks to the author displaying her "warts and all" life story. A book worthy of serious consideration, whether you want a lifestyle change, a bit of a tune-up or just fancy something different that could be good for you.
The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life, written by Robin Quivers and published by Avery/Penguin Group. ISBN 9781583334737, 272 pages. Typical price: USD35. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
September 7, 2013
What I said before. It's a really good account of a real (well, celebrity real) person who liked real food, who got fed up (no pun...OK, pun intended) with being sick and tired and out of shape and how she found salvation in whole, vegan food. The tone of the book is great - not too preachy but a bit 'oh my god! i can't believe this!, which some may not love, though. A little too much dropping in on a few gurus of the vegan scene, but if you can skim over those bits it's still incredibly helpful and inspiring.
December 9, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book it not only takes you on a journey into Ms Quivers life and health but it was like talking with an old friend. She has quick and easy recipes and also goes into emotional aspects of eating and how to overcome cravings and how to be vegan long term ...The Vegucation of Robin is an awesome book to read not like other vegan book's.
September 12, 2021
If I could give a book a negative rating, this one would get it.
I understood going in that Robin Quivers is vegan, and has strong opinions about it. That doesn't bother me in the slightest. What bothers me is that someone who worked as an R.N., albeit 3 decades ago, said she had "to laugh" when she hears someone say they have hay fever or restless legs syndrome. She made it sound as though just about any health condition, disease or illness is reversible or preventable with the right diet (vegan, of course, to her). ZERO compassion. She also suggested that people may not need to see their doctors or use prescription medications due to side effects or unnecessary treatments that are ordered. I think readers should keep in mind that an R.N. is not legally allowed to dispense medical advice or treatment plans. Each of us has unique medical needs and should consult our doctor and be aware of our own health history when deciding what our bodies need, whether it's what we eat, a fitness regimen, or a need for prescription meds or supplements.
I'm actually rather surprised and more annoyed by her dismissive, ableist attitude than I otherwise might be, because I sometimes listen to the Howard Stern show and I enjoy her interaction with Howard and the guests. Reading this put a damper on that, for sure. As someone who dealt with disabilities in the past, and still has health concerns that require medical care, and has friends and family with conditions that no amount of healthy eating is going to repair, I actually found her statements rather irresponsible.
The only positive? I bought it used so I didn't waste a lot of money on this. It's going in the trash. I'm not donating this to a thrift store to misguide some other person who may not see through the nonsense, nor am I going to try to resell this to someone else. I won't profit from such horrible, toxic garbage.
I understood going in that Robin Quivers is vegan, and has strong opinions about it. That doesn't bother me in the slightest. What bothers me is that someone who worked as an R.N., albeit 3 decades ago, said she had "to laugh" when she hears someone say they have hay fever or restless legs syndrome. She made it sound as though just about any health condition, disease or illness is reversible or preventable with the right diet (vegan, of course, to her). ZERO compassion. She also suggested that people may not need to see their doctors or use prescription medications due to side effects or unnecessary treatments that are ordered. I think readers should keep in mind that an R.N. is not legally allowed to dispense medical advice or treatment plans. Each of us has unique medical needs and should consult our doctor and be aware of our own health history when deciding what our bodies need, whether it's what we eat, a fitness regimen, or a need for prescription meds or supplements.
I'm actually rather surprised and more annoyed by her dismissive, ableist attitude than I otherwise might be, because I sometimes listen to the Howard Stern show and I enjoy her interaction with Howard and the guests. Reading this put a damper on that, for sure. As someone who dealt with disabilities in the past, and still has health concerns that require medical care, and has friends and family with conditions that no amount of healthy eating is going to repair, I actually found her statements rather irresponsible.
The only positive? I bought it used so I didn't waste a lot of money on this. It's going in the trash. I'm not donating this to a thrift store to misguide some other person who may not see through the nonsense, nor am I going to try to resell this to someone else. I won't profit from such horrible, toxic garbage.
June 4, 2020
I liked the book because it was filled with information I have not heard. I enjoyed reading the seasonal list of when fruits are in. However, there aren’t many things in the book that you can make together. It’s just a bunch of individual recipes and the individual recipes are not enough to eat by themselves.
The average person needs way more Food.
The average person needs way more Food.
April 11, 2023
Good read about her switch to a healthier lifestyle of eating. It is my belief that there are several eating changes that are healthy and this is only one of them. My only issue was the recipes, which have a lot to offer, but many need substitutes that the normal everyday person can find at the grocery store, and in particular a small but inexpensive one, Aldi.
April 28, 2019
I bought this book at the dollar tree (if you didn’t know, they get “real” books in now all the time. I’ve recognized several titles there). I wasn’t too impressed with the recipes. There was only one or two really good ones
December 11, 2017
Loved it. Funny, empowering and inspirational.
March 27, 2018
These recipes look really good! Will have to give some of them a shot.
January 15, 2019
A lot of what she had to say related to common sense. Yet hearing it was a breath of fresh air. I don't know why we continue to believe one thing and expect different results.
December 7, 2013
Howard Stern's sidekick of many years and former nurse Robin Quivers is convinced that changing to a vegan lifestyle saved her life. Continuously complaining of aches and pains all throughout her body, Quivers's path to veganism had many twists and turns, but ultimately she discovered that all of her symptoms went away when she eliminated animal products from her diet.
Half of this book is Robin sharing her story of why veganism is such an important lifestyle choice and the other half are the plant-based recipes she shares with her readers. Out of the all celebrity vegan cookbooks out there, I will say that this one has the most appetizing recipes. Dishes like purple potato salad with whole grain mustard, ginger miso kale, and red lentil daal make me actually want to try some of these recipes rather than turn my nose at them. One of the ways Robin entices readers in her recipes is by the cooking techniques she uses to bring out the wonderful flavors of the vegetables such as roasting or grilling.
For the past few years I have been intrigued by the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, but ultimately food just brings me too much joy to will myself into that sort of diet. However, if I were going to adopt a vegan lifestyle, the recipes in The Vegucation of Robin would probably be the first ones I'd go to. I think what is so appealing about these recipes is that Quivers doesn't use meat replacers like tofu and tempeh for her dishes, but rather, lets the grains and veggies be the star.
Read the rest of my review on my blog.
Half of this book is Robin sharing her story of why veganism is such an important lifestyle choice and the other half are the plant-based recipes she shares with her readers. Out of the all celebrity vegan cookbooks out there, I will say that this one has the most appetizing recipes. Dishes like purple potato salad with whole grain mustard, ginger miso kale, and red lentil daal make me actually want to try some of these recipes rather than turn my nose at them. One of the ways Robin entices readers in her recipes is by the cooking techniques she uses to bring out the wonderful flavors of the vegetables such as roasting or grilling.
For the past few years I have been intrigued by the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, but ultimately food just brings me too much joy to will myself into that sort of diet. However, if I were going to adopt a vegan lifestyle, the recipes in The Vegucation of Robin would probably be the first ones I'd go to. I think what is so appealing about these recipes is that Quivers doesn't use meat replacers like tofu and tempeh for her dishes, but rather, lets the grains and veggies be the star.
Read the rest of my review on my blog.
December 29, 2013
Robin Quivers' The Vegucation of Robin is a cookbook I was really excited to buy. Of course the recipe were the reason I wanted it, but the reading material in the first part of the book was informative as well. Ms. Quivers recounts her personal journey, from junk food junkie to vegan, explains why she made the choices along the way; her goal in writing this seems to genuinely be to encourage people to make healthier food choices.
You don't have to do the cleanses, but she gives insightful information on the ones she has used. If that doesn't interest you, just skip ahead to the recipes section.
The recipes I've tried so far have been really good and I plan to whip up one of her smoothies this afternoon. The recipes include juices, smoothies, soups, veggies, main courses, grains, and a variety of delicious looking desserts. The color pictures were pretty and appetizing, and she includes helpful information in the sidebar on things like how to prep mango, etc.
You don't have to do the cleanses, but she gives insightful information on the ones she has used. If that doesn't interest you, just skip ahead to the recipes section.
The recipes I've tried so far have been really good and I plan to whip up one of her smoothies this afternoon. The recipes include juices, smoothies, soups, veggies, main courses, grains, and a variety of delicious looking desserts. The color pictures were pretty and appetizing, and she includes helpful information in the sidebar on things like how to prep mango, etc.
January 24, 2014
There is a lot of information floating around the web questioning Robin's qualifications to give health and nutrition advice. Fortunately for me, I do not know much about Robin and her career, and I have never listened to the Howard Stern show. I had an opportunity to read the book without pre conceived notions about her merit.
With that said, even though Robin may not be the best role model for a healthy vegan diet, there are some lessons and motivation to take away from this book. I am motivated to add more raw food to my diet and let the vegetables shine in the dishes I cook instead of adding a meat substitute. I am also excited to try many of the recipes in the book. The recipes contain quite a few vegetables and spices that I have never tried...and I do a good amount of cooking!
After borrowing this from the library, I bought a copy for myself to have access to these exciting recipes.
With that said, even though Robin may not be the best role model for a healthy vegan diet, there are some lessons and motivation to take away from this book. I am motivated to add more raw food to my diet and let the vegetables shine in the dishes I cook instead of adding a meat substitute. I am also excited to try many of the recipes in the book. The recipes contain quite a few vegetables and spices that I have never tried...and I do a good amount of cooking!
After borrowing this from the library, I bought a copy for myself to have access to these exciting recipes.
May 15, 2016
I honestly thought when I checked this book out of the library that I really wouldn't learn anything new and that the recipes wouldn't be all that exciting. Well, I was very wrong. I love the way Ms. Quivers told her story of how she turned her health around and became a confident vegan cook.
Her frankness was refreshing, educational and entertaining all at the same time. And, I was delighted to discover that the recipes she includes in the book are all very close to the kind of cooking I do when I'm not working directly from my vast collection of cookbooks from around the world.
I highly recommend this book for folks who are considering a lifestyle dietary change and for folks to give as gifts to their loved ones who just don't get it that their lives are precious and that they can improve their health by changing what and how they eat without loosing great taste and the enjoy-ability of meals eaten at home, in restaurants and at gatherings.
Her frankness was refreshing, educational and entertaining all at the same time. And, I was delighted to discover that the recipes she includes in the book are all very close to the kind of cooking I do when I'm not working directly from my vast collection of cookbooks from around the world.
I highly recommend this book for folks who are considering a lifestyle dietary change and for folks to give as gifts to their loved ones who just don't get it that their lives are precious and that they can improve their health by changing what and how they eat without loosing great taste and the enjoy-ability of meals eaten at home, in restaurants and at gatherings.
October 27, 2013
It was nice to hear Robin's journey to veganism- a relatable and info packed book from someone I've listened to on the radio for years.
Through much of my readings on plant based diet, I've come to the undeniable conclusion that it's the best for the body; however- I would criticize that many of her "facts" aren't cited lending skepticism to those not familiar with the lifestyle. I do like that she isn't pushy about becoming vegan- and you don't have to commit to it to be healthy. It is a very realistic commentary on how much of the crap we eat kills us slowly and cleaning up our act will make us feel amazing and enjoy life by "eating to live".
Not super impressed with the recipes, but many are quick and easy and require few ingredients. For this kitchen aficionado, I was still able to learn some tips not even in my Americas Test Kitchen book!
Through much of my readings on plant based diet, I've come to the undeniable conclusion that it's the best for the body; however- I would criticize that many of her "facts" aren't cited lending skepticism to those not familiar with the lifestyle. I do like that she isn't pushy about becoming vegan- and you don't have to commit to it to be healthy. It is a very realistic commentary on how much of the crap we eat kills us slowly and cleaning up our act will make us feel amazing and enjoy life by "eating to live".
Not super impressed with the recipes, but many are quick and easy and require few ingredients. For this kitchen aficionado, I was still able to learn some tips not even in my Americas Test Kitchen book!
August 24, 2015
I found Robin's personal story inspirational and I have enjoyed all of the recipes that I've made so far. I am trying new produce items that would have scared me off before. She has taken away the uncertainty of working with these items. While some find Robin to be a bit preachy I look at her as someone who changed her life for the better through a major change in her food choices. She nearly died and more than likely can thank her healthy lifestyle changes prior to her diagnosis for being not only able to recover but to live life fully. I gave up all mammals as food 20 years ago when I was able to relate their consumption to lethargy. I eat fish and lots of fruits and vegetables and I exercise. I feel better with energy and good health, Robin is not a doctor but eating healthy, adding exercise and getting away from processed foods just makes sense if you want to improve your health.
August 23, 2016
The first half of this book is the author's description of how she found health through plant-based eating and detoxing, the second half is a set of vegan recipes. It all seemed pretty standard to me--the recipes looked fine, and I appreciated that they relied on vegetables and whole foods rather than vegan processed convenience foods, but since I already have quite a few vegan/vegetarian cookbooks on my shelves, I wasn't that excited by them. In other words, almost everything in the book is something I would happily eat, but none of the recipes inspired me to rush to the kitchen and start cooking. The informational part seemed a bit too heavy on the initial detox phase; otherwise, it was fine. I understand that the author is a "radio and television personality," so perhaps the target audience here would be her health-minded fans.
March 12, 2015
I enjoy reading healthy cookbooks, so whenever I see one at the library (like this one!) I check it out.
This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't really have anything new to say. Robin's journey to veganism was interesting, but it didn't really resonate with me. Even though I'm not vegan or vegetarian, books like this usually make me want to change some eating habit of mine in the future, but this one just didn't.
That being said, I really appreciate that the recipes don't rely on faux meats or processed "healthy" food. Instead, veggies are the forefront of every meal, and I'm excited to try out some of the recipes.
This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't really have anything new to say. Robin's journey to veganism was interesting, but it didn't really resonate with me. Even though I'm not vegan or vegetarian, books like this usually make me want to change some eating habit of mine in the future, but this one just didn't.
That being said, I really appreciate that the recipes don't rely on faux meats or processed "healthy" food. Instead, veggies are the forefront of every meal, and I'm excited to try out some of the recipes.
April 18, 2014
saw this in the library & thought it'd be an entertaining read... nice to hear how a former "food addict" and junk-food junkie was able to really make the change. Hoping it will inspire me to be more consistent with my own dietary changes...
and, has great recipes -- which I normally don't enjoy, but these are pretty easy, include pics, & have basic ingredients. I made the butternut squash soup today -- delicious!
UPDATE: after renewing it so many times from the library, I decided to go on amazon & order myself one to keep... it's a keeper :-)
and, has great recipes -- which I normally don't enjoy, but these are pretty easy, include pics, & have basic ingredients. I made the butternut squash soup today -- delicious!
UPDATE: after renewing it so many times from the library, I decided to go on amazon & order myself one to keep... it's a keeper :-)
January 16, 2014
I did not love this book. Based on the clever title I thought she would have way more of a sense of humour about food and hoped to see some interesting recipes but the book did not really provide that. Another element that disappointed me was that at least half of the book was a description of her life and experiences and not enough real fact or interviews with doctors and nutritionists to balance it. So, maybe my expectations were too high - on the humour scale - but it really was too much of an uninteresting biographical journey through some slightly wacky dietary choices.
May 21, 2014
Interesting story! The recipes were simple, used real ingredients that I have in my kitchen, and each one I tried was delish. I liked that her writing style and up-front attitude with humor, it was entertaining. And I liked that her food choices don't rely on soy based meat alternatives like tofu, tempeh and such. All that said, it wasn't a great book and I'm glad I checked it out of the library because I wouldn't ever pick it up again.
September 3, 2014
I found I really got into this book because she spoke regular people language in regard to the health and wellness concepts. I could really understand the relationships between food and the body that she was describing. I also liked there was a plan if you wanted to get started. I copied some of the recipies to try. If you want a technical book, this is not for you. If you want something simple, just to dip your toe in the water, this is for you.
September 10, 2016
Consisted and informative
If you don't enjoy the many nutritional books written today by celebrity doctors as I do, then this may be just the book that appeals to you. All the important reasons and explanations of why health should be your priority are clearly defined, but not long-winded. The recipes range from short and simple to longer with many ingredients. If you need to hear your health advice from someone who has been there, done that, this is the book you need.
If you don't enjoy the many nutritional books written today by celebrity doctors as I do, then this may be just the book that appeals to you. All the important reasons and explanations of why health should be your priority are clearly defined, but not long-winded. The recipes range from short and simple to longer with many ingredients. If you need to hear your health advice from someone who has been there, done that, this is the book you need.
October 16, 2013
Even though her juice cleanse detox approach seems pushy, extreme, and something that I would never try (3 weeks without solid food!!), Quivers makes some solid points about medicine, doctors and being mindful of what you put in your body. Lots of interesting recipes and a useful appendix of seasonal fruits and vegetables are included.
January 12, 2014
Eye-opening peek into Robin's journey into the world of being vegan. I've read many books on this subject but this was the most intriguing. The story is authentic and the voice is humorous. You have to shift your thinking and the transition will be workable. The recipes are simple and unbelievably delicious. A total home run.
September 18, 2014
Even though Robin is not educated in nutrition, this book is invaluable. She provides such helpful information and great recipes to get a "Vegan wannabe" started. A very inspirational book that really makes you think about how to improve your health in the same way that she did. She makes becoming a vegan seem very doable.
December 17, 2013
The book is a good start for people who are looking to change their eating habits. It leaves the reader with more questions to ask and it doesn't contradict other Vegan books . Not bad but not very informative if you've read others.
March 24, 2015
It's interesting to discover why African American's, like myself, choose a vegan diet. Robin's book was well written and I learned much information about detoxing. Her recipes seem simple enough and do not rely on a lot of vegan convenience foods.
July 23, 2016
I love Robin and I'm glad she made it through her health struggles, but this book was really light on substance. The recipes can be googled online and I was hoping to learn more about Robin herself in the book.
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