This Crazy Vegan Life: A Prescription for an Endangered Species

by Christina Pirello

Book Overview

Read Christina Pirello's posts on the Penguin Blog. A manifesto on being vegan and living healthfully from the award-winning host of public television's Christina Cooks, Naturally Being vegan is not only about a plant- based diet. It means taking a whole new look at health, fitness, lifestyle choices, and the world. Christina Pirello not only advocates the development of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557885389
• ISBN13: 9781557885388
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Buy It - Go Vegan and No One Gets Hurt

This is a very enjoyable book, a fun read, full of insight and great info about food and prep. A little light on science, but doesn't purport to be a nutrition textbook. The work is, however, informed with reputable sources, and Pirello's claims do pan out on further research. More importantly, I love things like the wilted kale with daikon (white radish) recipe. She brings to light the fact that vegan food is delicious, not a punishment as I previously thought. The only hitch--some of the recipes are time consuming... and to go on her planned menu for a full week, I found I would have to buy an enormous quantity of veggies which I'd never get to while they're still fresh. So I didn't go on the full week plan as Pirello lays it out. Still, she gets high points for making veggies fun.

Crazy Wonderful Book

I have been a vegetarian for about 20 years. I'm 52 and most people think I look about 40. When people ask why I look so young, I always say it's because I'm a Vegetarian. I know it's the truth. My goal in ordering this book was to get closer to becoming a vegan. I'm in the process, but I still have a few hold outs that I'm having trouble giving up. But like everything in life it's about the journey This book is absolutely wonderful. It's FULL of infomation about nutrition that everyone should know. It doesn't matter if you are young or old, fat or thin, vegetarian or meat eater there is information here that you should know. I was aware of much of the information that the book has to offer, but the simple reading and "to the point" information just makes it easy to take it all in. Great, great, information! This book helps prove (as I already knew)that the American diet is terribly flawed. It gently point fingers at the way "big business" dictates what is released when it comes to nutrition information. Most of what we hear is so distorted by those paying for the studies. In my eyes, it's criminal what happens in the way nutrition information is delivered to the American public. Christina's knowledge of nutrition is outstanding. Her arguements are compelling. I've read the book once and now it's time to go through again and hi-lite all the tidbits of information that I want to remember so that I can can continue to incorporate them into my life one by one. Even if you don't think you can become a vegetarian or a vegan read this book. If you simply take of bit of information from this book each week you life can change. You never know, you might just stop eating meat both for your own health and to help stop the abuse that goes on in the meat industry. It's really not hard at all to be a vegetarian. Being a vegan is a bit harder. Maybe if I can become crazy like Christina I can do it. My hour on the treadmill each morning goes so fast when my head is in this book. Give it to people who love who need to look at thier diet. I think this is a must read for everyone.

Love this book!

I have all of Christina's books. I love this one just as much as the others. I have made so many of her recipes and the book is just so helpful with exercise and all her tips on a healthy life style. I also love her show!

Great Info

I love this book. It's very easy to read and has lots of great info. Most vegan books don't tell you how to lose weight. It's just expected that if you're vegan...you just will. But that's not always the case as Christina brings out. She goes into detail of her own weight battle....and wants to help you with yours (if need be). This is a great read with lots of low cal recipes. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.

This Crazy Vegan Life - Wonderful!

I love all of Christina's books, and this one is no exception! This book includes over 100 vegan recipes (with ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery store or health food store). The recipes are not complicated and nutrition information is included at the end of each recipe. There is also a 21-day nutrition and fitness plan which includes sample menus and an exercise routine (with pictures as well as descriptions). The table of contents includes: 1. How Did We Get Into this Mess Anyway? 2. Veganomics: Rethinking Everything 3. The Path to Rethinking Your Life 4. Food for Thought 5. Eat Well for Life 6. The Eating Plan: Menus and Recipes 7. Get Moving 8. This Crazy Vegan Lifestyle Christina's writing style is fun and easy to read. She's been living this lifestyle for a while and she knows her stuff. If you're not already into this lifestyle, this will be a thought-provoking read. Christina saved her life by changing her diet; she is living proof that it works! By changing the way you eat, you can experience positive results too (increased energy, weight loss, improved health and vitality). Thank you, Christina!