I’ve been vegan for a little over 13 years, so I didn’t really need a book called Going Vegan: the Complete Guide to Making a Healthy Transition to a Plant-Based Lifestyle. I did want it, however, and I had two reasons why: 1.) I’m a vegan health and lifestyle coach, and I help people transition to a plant-based diet so I like to have books like Going Vegan in my library. I either recommend vegan books to my clients or I give them as gifts at the end of their programs as a gift. 2.) Going Vegan was co-authored by Joni Marie Newman, and her cookbooks are always awesome!
As you have probably already figured out by the title, Going Vegan is a guidebook for transitioning to a vegan diet. Along with Joni Marie Newman, the book was co-authored by Gerri Lynn Adams, who has a B.S. in Food Science with an emphasis on nutrition, so the book explains not only how to go vegan, but how to do it an health healthful way. It starts out with both Joni and Gerri telling us why and how they went vegan. I always love hearing people’s “vegan stories”, and Joni and Gerri both have good ones. From there, the book delves into the reasons to go vegan, with a chapter dedicated to each: health, the environment, your wallet (because contrary to popular belief, eating vegan is not expensive), and for the animals. As you would expect from a book called Going Vegan, there’s tons of information on stocking your kitchen, from how to check for hidden animal ingredients in packed foods to what items you keep on hand in your pantry.
What guide book to veganism would be complete without recipes? Going Vegan is chock-full of dishes that make the transition easy. One thing I’ve noticed when helping people transition to a plant-based diet is that they don’t know what to have for breakfast, and it always seems that they’re afraid they’re going to have to start eating “weird” food. The recipes here will help with that problem, and everything is easily recognizable to an omnivore: loaded oatmeal, a country scramble, waffles, pancakes, and my personal favorite, breakfast tacos. There are also recipes for soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, snacks and sides, dressings and sauces, and desserts. What I really love about Going Vegan is that packaged and processed foods aren’t used. Recipes for tofu mayo and easy to make homemade cheeses are also included. Rather than using store-bought vegan “meats”, there are recipes for foods such as tempeh bacon and protein-packed “sausages”. Meal plans and shopping lists are also covered, to help those who may be feeling a little overwhelmed by it all.
Going Vegan also goes “Beyond the Plate”, with information on how to find vegan products at the store, a list of resources, how to deal with negativity and how to keep yourself from turning negative as well.
If you’re already vegan, you can still benefit from Going Vegan, as the recipes are super tasty and don’t take much time to make. They’re flexible as well – if you don’t have broccoli but you want to make the Tahini Noodle bowl, it will turn out just fine with cauliflower instead. The recipes will please just about anyone at your dinner table: from picky eaters to skeptical omnivores – and everyone in between!
If you’d like a copy of Going Vegan, you’re in luck, because I have a copy for one lucky Chic Vegan reader! Follow the instructions below to enter. Contest ends at midnight eastern time on September 14th. Good luck!
My Go-To Vegan meal is a quick mexican bowl! Just throw in veggies, beans, salsa, and avocado!
My go-to is pasta! You can make it a million different ways and it always satisfies. :]
I like big salads with root vegetables and beans
My go-to is soup, it’s a great way to empty out the fridge 🙂
Burritos or soup are out go too vegan meals!
oatmeal!
Chili with cornbread!
Soup with beans and veggies.
My go-to is pasta. 🙂
If I’m super short on time, PB&J sandwich.
These days, I’m all about Buddha Bowls. All. The. Food. in a bowl.
Definitely go to is an asian stir fry!
Veggie, grain, and protein bowls!
Chili or any easy vegan soup.
My go-to vegan meal is a black bean burger with sweet potato fries!
Quinoa salad
Veggie taco
Asian or quinoa veggie bowls. For travel, berry quinoa salad.
Chickpea burgers!!
Asian stir fry and steamed veggies are 2 faves!
I don’t have a vegan go to – unless you count a fresh spinach salad loaded with veggies and sunflower seeds. I’m just getting into the world of vegan to feel healthier. I tried to leave a comment when entering for the cookbook give away, but it would not work.
I usually make a vegetable soup.
Salads and fruit!
My go to is burritos, or enchiladas or manicotti! I have quite a few favorites but the burrito is definitely the easiest!
My go to vegan meal is an avocado sandwich!
Recently, it’s been a very simple steamed veggies with a miso and nutritional yeast sauce.
My go to Vegan meat is actually not a meat analog. I love beans, lentils, eggplant, and mushrooms in place of meat. It is easy to make non-meat dishes that are delicious with these things so why use a vegan “meat”.
My go-to vegan meal is chickpea salad over top a salad with homemade cashew mayo with sweet potato fries!.. YUM..
My go to vegan meal is a kale and quina salad.
I love mixing steamed broccoli and cauliflower with cooked spinach, herbs, a little bit of garlic, beans, and nutritional yeast. It’s so filling and packed with nutrition! I eat this several times a week and my body feels great!
~ Samantha
Mine is Pasta, unless bread counts 😀
tofu stir-fry
I love roasted sweet potatoes
Green smoothies!
My Friday night and i’m too tired to cook go to is gf toast with hummus, avocado, tomato, fresh basil, sea salt and pepper and a drizzle of garlic infused olive oil….. Could eat it all night….:-)
I would love to win this vegan book. I am always happy to pick up new tips and recipes to support my vegan lifestyle!
I love to make lentil soup! YumM