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The China Study Family Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Bring Your Family to the Plant-Based Table
Bring the Whole Family to the Plant-Based Table with Fun and Delicious Recipes
You know the benefits of a plant-based diet—it's the best choice for your own health and well-being, not to mention the planet's. But now you need to successfully navigate the transition and convince your family to do the same . . . or at least eat a few more veggies.
The China Study Family Cookbook is the family-friendly cookbook and guide you've been waiting for. It's time to make plant-based eating easier and even more rewarding for your family—no matter your lifestyle.
The China Study Quick & Easy Cookbook and Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook author Chef Del Sroufe's 100 easy, flavorful recipes—with family classics reinvented for today's health-conscious cooks—
• Sloppy Joes
• White Bean and Squash Chili
• Tater Tots
• Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole
• Mac and Cheese
• Breakfast Tacos
• Apple Butter Pizza
• Whoopie Pies
The China Study Family Cookbook offers stories from plant-based advocates (including The China Study coauthor T. Colin Campbell) whose whole families have adopted a plant-based lifestyle—and how they got their spouses and children on board. It also gives tips for getting your kids involved in the kitchen and fostering their love of plant-based cooking. The China Study Family Cookbook even includes strategies to negotiate the family menu from families made up of both those who eat plant-based and those who don't.
Edited by The China Study Cookbook author LeAnne Campbell and with a foreword from The China Study coauthor and The Campbell Plan author Thomas M. Campbell II, MD, The China Study Family Cookbook is the ultimate guide to helping your family discover the joys and benefits of plant-based eating.
You know the benefits of a plant-based diet—it's the best choice for your own health and well-being, not to mention the planet's. But now you need to successfully navigate the transition and convince your family to do the same . . . or at least eat a few more veggies.
The China Study Family Cookbook is the family-friendly cookbook and guide you've been waiting for. It's time to make plant-based eating easier and even more rewarding for your family—no matter your lifestyle.
The China Study Quick & Easy Cookbook and Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook author Chef Del Sroufe's 100 easy, flavorful recipes—with family classics reinvented for today's health-conscious cooks—
• Sloppy Joes
• White Bean and Squash Chili
• Tater Tots
• Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole
• Mac and Cheese
• Breakfast Tacos
• Apple Butter Pizza
• Whoopie Pies
The China Study Family Cookbook offers stories from plant-based advocates (including The China Study coauthor T. Colin Campbell) whose whole families have adopted a plant-based lifestyle—and how they got their spouses and children on board. It also gives tips for getting your kids involved in the kitchen and fostering their love of plant-based cooking. The China Study Family Cookbook even includes strategies to negotiate the family menu from families made up of both those who eat plant-based and those who don't.
Edited by The China Study Cookbook author LeAnne Campbell and with a foreword from The China Study coauthor and The Campbell Plan author Thomas M. Campbell II, MD, The China Study Family Cookbook is the ultimate guide to helping your family discover the joys and benefits of plant-based eating.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2017
70 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Del Sroufe
15 books35 followersChef Del Sroufe is co-owner and executive chef of Wellness Forum Foods, a whole-food, plant-based meal delivery and catering service in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of Forks Over Knives – The Cookbook and Better Than Vegan. Del teaches cooking classes and helps people transition to a healthy plant-based diet.
—from https://www.forksoverknives.com/contr...
—from https://www.forksoverknives.com/contr...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 30, 2017
I think this is an exceptionally well done cookbook. It has 100 recipes. All the recipes have a "Note for the Cook" and at least one Recipe Tip. There are great photos. There are little symbols for each recipe I find really useful. Very family friendly.
"When it comes to our health and the foods we eat, this dynamic can unfortunately lead to a dangerous situation. About 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and diabetes is becoming more and more common. Heart disease, a disease strongly affected by diet, remains our number one killer."
"Our diet is largely to blame, though physical inactivity is obviously an important contributer. Americans consume 60 percent of their calories from ultra processed foods. Ultra-processed foods are a mishmash of multiple processed ingredients, including salt, refined sugars and fats, and various additives to boost color, flavor, or other qualities. These are foods like packaged cookies, snack items, and candies, to name a few examples. The human body does not perform optimally or sustain maximum health with this type of fuel, yet the majority of all our calories are ultra processed!"
I know one of the biggest reasons I have struggled with weight is that I like processed foods....a lot. The sugar, salt, and fat can be addictive. As someone with type 2 diabetes, I believe food can be my medicine. We have more and more information now on how what we eat affects our health.
"Well planned plant based diets are marvelously healthy for kids and adults alike. In fact, a recent trial showed that parents and kids who adopt a strict plant based diet together can lower their weight and reduce various risk factors for heart disease"
Some recipes we like:
Green Goddess Slaw has been a real hit at some potlucks this spring. I have a little herb garden in the backyard and the fresh basil can't be beat. We also are a big fan of Corn and Black Bean Salsa. It's easy to make and I keep most of the ingredients on hand. I make my own corn chips (page 86) and throw this on a big salad some week nights. I like for instance this little recipe tip for the Caesar Salad. "Vegetable salads by themselves are not a filling meal. I make this salad a meal by adding 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas or white beans."
There are some nice interviews with people choosing to eat more plants and whole foods, including T.Colin Campbell.
So many helpful tips. This cookbook was just the thing I needed to help me move forward with my new plant based life after following The Engine 2 Diet and losing weight. I was ready to branch out and have some new go to recipes. This did the job! I'm an especially big fan of the Greek Hummus Pitas for lunch work days.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BenBella Books for a digital copy to download in exchange for a review. Highly recommended to all who seek to heal through a healthy diet and lifestyle. It has changed my life. Give it a try!
"When it comes to our health and the foods we eat, this dynamic can unfortunately lead to a dangerous situation. About 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and diabetes is becoming more and more common. Heart disease, a disease strongly affected by diet, remains our number one killer."
"Our diet is largely to blame, though physical inactivity is obviously an important contributer. Americans consume 60 percent of their calories from ultra processed foods. Ultra-processed foods are a mishmash of multiple processed ingredients, including salt, refined sugars and fats, and various additives to boost color, flavor, or other qualities. These are foods like packaged cookies, snack items, and candies, to name a few examples. The human body does not perform optimally or sustain maximum health with this type of fuel, yet the majority of all our calories are ultra processed!"
I know one of the biggest reasons I have struggled with weight is that I like processed foods....a lot. The sugar, salt, and fat can be addictive. As someone with type 2 diabetes, I believe food can be my medicine. We have more and more information now on how what we eat affects our health.
"Well planned plant based diets are marvelously healthy for kids and adults alike. In fact, a recent trial showed that parents and kids who adopt a strict plant based diet together can lower their weight and reduce various risk factors for heart disease"
Some recipes we like:
Green Goddess Slaw has been a real hit at some potlucks this spring. I have a little herb garden in the backyard and the fresh basil can't be beat. We also are a big fan of Corn and Black Bean Salsa. It's easy to make and I keep most of the ingredients on hand. I make my own corn chips (page 86) and throw this on a big salad some week nights. I like for instance this little recipe tip for the Caesar Salad. "Vegetable salads by themselves are not a filling meal. I make this salad a meal by adding 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas or white beans."
There are some nice interviews with people choosing to eat more plants and whole foods, including T.Colin Campbell.
So many helpful tips. This cookbook was just the thing I needed to help me move forward with my new plant based life after following The Engine 2 Diet and losing weight. I was ready to branch out and have some new go to recipes. This did the job! I'm an especially big fan of the Greek Hummus Pitas for lunch work days.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BenBella Books for a digital copy to download in exchange for a review. Highly recommended to all who seek to heal through a healthy diet and lifestyle. It has changed my life. Give it a try!
June 23, 2019
There are things I really like about this cookbook but it's not likely to work for a lot of families. First of all, it's based on the nutritional advice given in the China Study book, which basically studied thousands of people long-term and found that a plant-based (vegan), whole foods diet was best for good health and long life, along with avoiding added fat and sugar. As such, many people are not going to be that pleased with the recipes since even if it's called macaroni and cheese, if it's made with just plants and no added fat, it's not going to be like the gooey stuff your taste buds are used to.
All that aside, many of the recipes are simple and they tend towards real, whole foods. For instance, the chorizo (Mexican sausage) is made from millet, apple cider vinegar, garlic, Mexican oregano, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt and a pinch of allspice. Color photos accompany every single recipe, which I appreciate. The book is also written to be used with kids cooking the recipes too and being involved in the kitchen, which I appreciate.
There is no nutritional info given because the authors say that there are problems with the current system and instead there are icons showing what types of foods are featured in the recipe. I prefer nutritional information even if there are problems. Many of the recipes call for wheat (often whole wheat), which is not a good fit for gluten-free families.
I am not as hard core as the author or editor (the daughter of one of the authors of the China Study book) and would probably adjusts the recipes somewhat and use small amounts of healthy oils and other "cheats." With minor adjustments, I think many of the recipes would work well for our family but I have not tried any yet. I have bookmarked many to try and will update my review with those results.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
All that aside, many of the recipes are simple and they tend towards real, whole foods. For instance, the chorizo (Mexican sausage) is made from millet, apple cider vinegar, garlic, Mexican oregano, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt and a pinch of allspice. Color photos accompany every single recipe, which I appreciate. The book is also written to be used with kids cooking the recipes too and being involved in the kitchen, which I appreciate.
There is no nutritional info given because the authors say that there are problems with the current system and instead there are icons showing what types of foods are featured in the recipe. I prefer nutritional information even if there are problems. Many of the recipes call for wheat (often whole wheat), which is not a good fit for gluten-free families.
I am not as hard core as the author or editor (the daughter of one of the authors of the China Study book) and would probably adjusts the recipes somewhat and use small amounts of healthy oils and other "cheats." With minor adjustments, I think many of the recipes would work well for our family but I have not tried any yet. I have bookmarked many to try and will update my review with those results.
My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost
I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.
January 13, 2018
Lots of family friendly wfpb recipes. The hot cocoa was excellent! Looking forward to trying more out on my kids.
May 9, 2017
Here is the cookbook companion to T. Colin Campbell's The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted And the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, And Long-term Health
That book is a wonderful read, and an excellent introduction to the healthy benefits of a plant-based diet. I was very excited to see this cookbook. Inside are recipes for breakfast, dressings, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, mains and desserts.
I feel like this book is aimed mainly at helping families successfully start eating a plant-based diet, as there are tons of beginner's tips, the recipes are simple and straightforward, and there are a lot of meatless versions of classic recipes like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pepper Steak, Sausage Gravy, etc.
There are so many recipes trying to mimic meat, that while it might be useful for those changing their diets to exclude meat, yet still crave meat, it was a bit of a turn off for me. For those familiar or used to eating a plant-based diet, this might help round out any rough edges, but will not introduce many new ideas.
Helpful information included:
- how to transition to a plant-based diet
- age appropriate advice for involving children ages 18 months and up in cooking
- tips for beginning or new cooks
- tips on oil-free cooking
Memorable recipes:
Twice Baked Samosa Potatoes
Apple Butter Pizza
Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Black Eyed Pea Gumbo
Overall, an excellent choice for those wishing to convert from an omnivorous diet to a plant-based diet. Great for families and beginning home cooks.
**eARC Netgalley**
That book is a wonderful read, and an excellent introduction to the healthy benefits of a plant-based diet. I was very excited to see this cookbook. Inside are recipes for breakfast, dressings, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, mains and desserts.
I feel like this book is aimed mainly at helping families successfully start eating a plant-based diet, as there are tons of beginner's tips, the recipes are simple and straightforward, and there are a lot of meatless versions of classic recipes like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pepper Steak, Sausage Gravy, etc.
There are so many recipes trying to mimic meat, that while it might be useful for those changing their diets to exclude meat, yet still crave meat, it was a bit of a turn off for me. For those familiar or used to eating a plant-based diet, this might help round out any rough edges, but will not introduce many new ideas.
Helpful information included:
- how to transition to a plant-based diet
- age appropriate advice for involving children ages 18 months and up in cooking
- tips for beginning or new cooks
- tips on oil-free cooking
Memorable recipes:
Twice Baked Samosa Potatoes
Apple Butter Pizza
Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Black Eyed Pea Gumbo
Overall, an excellent choice for those wishing to convert from an omnivorous diet to a plant-based diet. Great for families and beginning home cooks.
**eARC Netgalley**
July 8, 2017
This book is suitable for beginners (in the kitchen and/or on plant-based diet) and specially for families with kids, as it includes a lot of information about how to involve them in the kitchen. Even if I don't have kids, i enjoyed reading about it and will surely come handy when we have little visitors to our place. The recipes are easy to understand and follow, nothing overly complicated. I feel that most cookbooks assume you know a lot about cooking and that is why our food doesn't look as in the picture (at best) or becomes a total failure (at worst) and this book has tips at the bottom of each recipe that really help avoid kitchen failures. I appreciate that a lot, as I don't have the time or energy to struggle in the kitchen figuring out how to make things work.
For those familiar with the book The China Study by Campbell & Campbell, it will come handy the "plant-part" category symbols used for each recipe (to easily ensure varied meals). I tried 2 recipes already: Chocolate pops and Spaghetti and meatballs, both were delicious and hassle free. Some recipes have ingredients that might be "exotic" for those starting their journey into a plant-based diet, but they are easy to find at the grocery store, as I said, this is beginners-friendly.
The cherry on the top: it has a lot of classic recipes like mac & cheese, chilaquiles, burritos, gravy, ramen, etc.
For those familiar with the book The China Study by Campbell & Campbell, it will come handy the "plant-part" category symbols used for each recipe (to easily ensure varied meals). I tried 2 recipes already: Chocolate pops and Spaghetti and meatballs, both were delicious and hassle free. Some recipes have ingredients that might be "exotic" for those starting their journey into a plant-based diet, but they are easy to find at the grocery store, as I said, this is beginners-friendly.
The cherry on the top: it has a lot of classic recipes like mac & cheese, chilaquiles, burritos, gravy, ramen, etc.
June 26, 2017
The cookbook offers a healthier way of eating, by adding more plant-based foods into the diet. The book is pleasing to the eye, with colored pictures for almost every recipe. The recipes offer common, everyday fruits and vegetables that can easily be found in your favorite grocery store or farmers market. There are over 100 recipes and it encourages you to allow the children in the home to take an active part in preparations.
- Breakfast
- Sides and Sauces
- Salads and Salad Fixings
- Sandwiches
- Soups
- Entrees
- Casseroles
- and Desserts
all help make up this nearly 300 page Family Cookbook.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to write a review and do so voluntarily.
- Breakfast
- Sides and Sauces
- Salads and Salad Fixings
- Sandwiches
- Soups
- Entrees
- Casseroles
- and Desserts
all help make up this nearly 300 page Family Cookbook.
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to write a review and do so voluntarily.
June 8, 2017
I really liked this cookbook and most of the recipes. I am always looking for clean eating and prefer plant based foods when possible.
Easy to read, simple ingredients, great pictures! Food looks inviting for whole family and the recipes tend to be food children prefer to eat like tator tots, spaghetti, and sloppy joes.
My only regret is that I have to keep track of my fat/calorie/carbs for daily intake for health reasons and these recipes do not offer that information.
I love the green goddess dressing! Yum
This will be on my list for the hubby to get me for my collection of cookbooks I own!
Easy to read, simple ingredients, great pictures! Food looks inviting for whole family and the recipes tend to be food children prefer to eat like tator tots, spaghetti, and sloppy joes.
My only regret is that I have to keep track of my fat/calorie/carbs for daily intake for health reasons and these recipes do not offer that information.
I love the green goddess dressing! Yum
This will be on my list for the hubby to get me for my collection of cookbooks I own!
July 9, 2017
Colourful, well designed, easy to read and comfortable weight to bring on transit.
I am most excited to try Tortilla Pie and then Pumpkin Bars.
A few twists on some classics that I know will soon become staples in my veggie home; breakfast burrito and grilled cheese.
This book will not disappoint-there will be something that will make your mouth water and stomach grumble (mine is right now as I write this review!)
Do not pass this one up!
I am most excited to try Tortilla Pie and then Pumpkin Bars.
A few twists on some classics that I know will soon become staples in my veggie home; breakfast burrito and grilled cheese.
This book will not disappoint-there will be something that will make your mouth water and stomach grumble (mine is right now as I write this review!)
Do not pass this one up!
May 10, 2017
I like this book so much! The recipes are easy to do, taste great, easy to modify, and healthy. The China Study Family Cookbook by Del Sroufe helps people transition to a healthy plant-based diet. That's what I'm trying to do now, so this book gives me a lot of inspiration to make a healthy plant-based dinner & lunch!
I received an ebook of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an ebook of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 16, 2017
Recipes were not to my taste.
I gave the book to a friend of a friend, who seems pleased though.
I gave the book to a friend of a friend, who seems pleased though.
November 14, 2017
A few things taken out...
January 9, 2018
One of the more realistic vegan cookbooks I have read so far. Lots of great looking recipes. Check out again.
July 7, 2018
This reminded me of the drab, vaguely religious, and fully flavorless cookbooks of the 80's.
March 26, 2020
Lots of practical recipes; I've tried several, and so far so good. That's not always the case with whole foods/plant-based cookbooks, I've found!
July 13, 2021
Whole food, plant based, no dairy, no oil, minimal added natural sweeteners(that are not processed sugar).
March 9, 2023
Lots of great and Fun recipes and explanations
May 3, 2017
"The China Study Family Cookbook" is a whole food, plant-based (vegan) cookbook containing 100 recipes. It's intended for families, so most of the recipes were for 4 or 6 or 8 people. The author also explained how to get kids involved with making the food (so many of the recipes are fairly easy to make). He also assumed that the reader had little experience in the kitchen, so he explained things like knife safety.
The cookbook is targeted at people who are used to popular, Standard American Diet foods. He has healthy versions of hot cocoa, baked donuts, Mac & Cheese (with no cheese), meatballs (with no meat), and so on. The intent is for a similar taste and texture experience, but with much healthier ingredients. Some recipes did use gluten-containing grains or tree nuts (if this is a concern for you), but others didn't. There were pictures of the finished products, many of which looked very tasty.
There were also some short articles about people who went vegan, why, and how they did it when the rest of their family wasn't interested in eating vegan. Overall, I'd recommend this cookbook to people with families who are interested in adding more whole-food, plant-based meals to their diet.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The cookbook is targeted at people who are used to popular, Standard American Diet foods. He has healthy versions of hot cocoa, baked donuts, Mac & Cheese (with no cheese), meatballs (with no meat), and so on. The intent is for a similar taste and texture experience, but with much healthier ingredients. Some recipes did use gluten-containing grains or tree nuts (if this is a concern for you), but others didn't. There were pictures of the finished products, many of which looked very tasty.
There were also some short articles about people who went vegan, why, and how they did it when the rest of their family wasn't interested in eating vegan. Overall, I'd recommend this cookbook to people with families who are interested in adding more whole-food, plant-based meals to their diet.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 13, 2018
What a Wonderful Cook Book The China Study Family Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Bring Your Family to the Plant-Based Table is by Del Sroufe. I found this book very interesting and easy to Follow with great Illustrations throughout.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews