Reading this cookbook made me realize that slowly I have become part of the plant-based movement. If you are looking to make some dietary changes for better health, then I strongly recommend cookbooks like this one.
Book Details:
Title: One Part Plant: A Simple Guide to Eating Real, One Meal at a Time by Jessica Murnane
Publisher: Harper Wave
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 256 pages
Genre: Cookbook, Health, Wellness
Published: February 21, 2017
Content Rating: PG (for some language)
Book Description:
Wellness advocate and podcaster Jessica Murnane is the friend you never knew you had. And she’s here with a cookbook to help you make a change you never thought was possible.
In One Part Plant, Jessica has a friendly request: that you eat just one meal plant-based meal each day. There’s no crazy diet plan with an anxiety-inducing list of forbidden foods. Or pages filled with unattainable goals based on an eating philosophy that leaves you feeling hungry and deprived. Instead, Jessica offers you the tools to easily and deliciously make plants the star of your plate–no matter how much junk food occupies it now.
Jessica knows what it’s like to have less than healthy eating habits. Just a few short years ago, her diet consisted of three major food groups: Sour Patch Kids, Diet Coke, and whatever Lean Cuisine had the most cheese. But when her endometriosis — a chronic and painful condition — left her depressed and desperate for help, she took the advice of a friend and radically overhauled her diet. Within months, her life dramatically changed — her pain started to fade and she felt like herself again.
With a unique style and playful tone, Jessica shares what she’s learned on her way to healing her body through food. She keeps it simple and, most importantly, delicious — with 100 allergy-friendly recipes like Creamy Mushroom Lasagna, Easy Vegetable Curry Bowls, Triple Berry Skillet Cobbler, and Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
Featuring her top ten pantry basics, practical advice, and colorful and bold photography, One Part Plant is an inspiring and educational guide to eating real and feeling your best.
My Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani
I was introduced to plant-based eating by my parents. Growing up, we ate the produce from our large vegetable garden. But I first came across the idea of plant-based foods in a cookbook six years ago when I read Whole Foods to Thrive: Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Based Recipes for Peak Health by Brendan Brazier. So of course, I was instantly taken in by One Part Plant by Jessica Murnane. First off, it's got a great cover. That tote straw basket filled with carrots and asparagus (my favorite veggies) and flowers being held by someone wearing a gorgeous bead-embroidered black and gold top...it just appealed to me on so many levels.
Jessica Murnane begins by explaining her journey to health and wellness when she made changes to her diet and discovered it was healing her from endometriosis. I had the same experience when I changed my diet to heal from fibromyalgia. Her tone is friendly and she is non-judgemental and encouraging. Her advice is to start with one plant-based meal at a time. I'm beyond that, but I still appreciated this cookbook because her recipes are easy and inspiring. And she reminds me of ...me. There is a section where she is open about adjusting to the dietary changes that have helped her become pain-free and full of energy and how she is still adjusting. That's exactly how I feel.
The cookbook includes pantry essentials such as gluten-free grains, beans and lentils, coconut, nuts and seeds and something I've not heard of: nutritional yeast. This is a vegetarian cookbook, so no dairy or meat. It also includes a section of resources and a handy index at the back of the book. I loved the gorgeous photographs of the recipes and they inspired me to keep experimenting. I'm good at getting ideas from recipes or adapting them if I don't have the exact ingredients, like using walnuts instead of pecans. My only complaint is that the cookbook was not created to stay opened while following a recipe. I think this is a feature publishers of cookbooks should consider. I had the same issue with another cookbook published by Harper Wave.
I'm used to making an avocado/spinach/mango and nut butter smoothie in the mornings, so when I saw the recipe for the Orange Basil Shot I knew I had to try it. And wow, that drink gave me a kick! It's made with orange, raw honey, basil leaves, fresh ginger and cayenne pepper. My kind of drink. From now on I'm going to make it especially when I feel a cold coming on or just when I feel lethargic and need a pick-me-up.
Reading this cookbook made me realize that slowly I have become part of the plant-based movement without knowing it. If you are looking to make some dietary changes for better health, then I strongly recommend cookbooks like this one, where the author eases you into the changes and encourages you because she was once in your place and didn't even know how to cook. If she could do it, so can you.
To read more reviews, please visit Jessica Murnane's page on TLC Book Tours.
Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
I found this video of the author speaking about her new book. Worth watching if you're interested in learning more about plant-based cooking.
About Jessica Murnane
Jessica Murnane is a wellness advocate, podcast host, and creator of the One Part Plant movement. She has a certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and works to raise awareness for endometriosis and women’s health issues. Jessica has contributed to and appeared in countless magazines and websites, including Mind Body Green, The Coveteur, Food 52, PopSugar, and Chalkboard Magazine and has spoken at Apple and Taste Talks. She interviews some of the biggest names in food, lifestyle, and design on the popular One Part Podcast. Through her website (jessicamurnane.com), classes, and restaurant partnerships, she’s working to get everyone on this planet to start eating one plant-based meal each day. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, son, and lots of palm trees.
I need this cookbook in my life!
ReplyDeleteI love that you've become a part of the plant based movement without even realizing it! That drink sounds delicious, by the way!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being on this tour!