The Expanding Light Cookbook: Vegetarian Favorites from California's Premier Yoga Retreat

by Blanche Agassy McCord and Diksha McCord

Book Overview

This is the first cookbook from an established yoga retreat that offers vegetarian favorites that guests have raved about. Only the tried and true made it into this book. In 30 years, thousands have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565891287
• ISBN13: 9781565891289
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book and buy!

I was excited to happen across this book and was hoping the recipes would offer simplicity and they do. Not only that, but most every ingredient can be found in your local grocery mart. No need to shop exclusively at organic / natural food stores for many of the ingredients contained within. The recipes are simple and short. I spent a few days at The Expanding Light a number of years ago and recall my hesitancy over the menu. Not being a vegetarian at that time and not totally understanding what I was going to be eating left me a little wary. I have to say that I walked away from the retreat with a new found love. If you're looking for good, wholesome and simple, this book is one of the best. Furthermore, if you're a new vegetarian, making this book part of your kitchen will get you off to an excellent start.

This book deserves a grand applause

This book by Blanche McCord has the most fantastic, easy to follow recipes. Everyone absolutely loves the food I make when I cook from this cook book. Example: While camping last weekend one of our friends sampled a little of the red pesto pasta salad. The next day before we left he asked if I had any left. I said yes, that he should help himself to it. Later when I returned to our RV I spotted the empty container that had held the salad. He couldn't help himself. He finished it. Aside from the food being out of this world, you get insight as to why the food that comes out of Ananda is so outstanding.

THE BEST VEGGIE COOKBOOK AROUND

I recently stayed at the Expanding Light Yoga Retreat and was awe-struck at the wonderful, flavorful foods created by Blanche. Eating was truly a spiritual experience that left everyone with satisfied bellies, calm minds, and smiling faces. As a vegetarian who loves to cook, there was no question that I would leave this place without this book. I have been nothing but delighted to read and create beautiful meals that are easy to make, maximizing the yield of flavors from just a few ingredients which I almost always have in my kitchen already, and well explained. The interview with the author at the beginning of the book, having spent time with her at the retreat, truly exemplifies the spirit in which she approaches her meal-planning and cooking-creating healthy food with a loving heart warms the spirits of all who share in eating it. The meal plan suggestions are truly thoughtful and outlined according to the season of the year. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I have given it as a gift to a vegan already (almost all the recipes are vegan!). I highly recommend it to anyone.

We tried these recipes and they were fantastic.

We've been vegetarians for many years and have all the popular vegetarian cookbooks--but this is something different. The recipes are healthy and yet very tasty. I would say these recipes satisfy. I especially liked the menu ideas in the back of the book, which offer very creative and thoughtful combinations. It's also very interesting to learn how this yoga retreat makes their food "better"--I found the tips very helpful and inspiring.

The best light vegetarian cookbook available

I really loved this cookbook. The author claims that all of the recipes have been incredibly well-tested on literally thousands of guests at The Expanding Light yoga & meditation retreat, and I have to say that I believe her. Everything that I've tried to make has turned out really well. And the best thing is that these very tasty recipes are light, low-fat and healthy. While not a strictly vegan cookbook, very little dairy and eggs are used. Another really good thing is that because The Expanding Light Retreat has many non-vegetarian guests, these recipes are designed to satisfy the hunger of confirmed meat-eaters--they're not just for vegetarians. Also, in the introduction, there is a very interesting interview with the author where she delves into the special nature of cooking food for a spiritual retreat and the importance of cooking with a "raised consciousness" to create great tasting meals.