The Vegiterranean Diet

I do not write many reviews, but this books is worth it. The author has done an outstanding job. I purchased this book without any great expectations, figuring it would merely present a simple diet plan, with some basic, high level nutrition information. It is a lot more. The book not only presents the theory and historical precedence for the "Vegiterranean" Diet in a very clear and accessible fashion, but also provides a highly comprehensive, scientifically based, nutritional guide. In fact, I even believe the book could even stand on its own as a nutritional guide, diet aside.Contrary to what the the simple title of the book might imply, this is not a fad diet book. It is an overall healthy eating approach, wherein instead of counting calories and other tedious requirements, the author rolls all her scientific research into a few basic rules for healthy eating. She thoroughly explains the nutrient breakdown all of the foods that are to be eaten (and avoided), but one's everyday food selection is very simply based on maintaining a proper proportion of whole foods, without the need for being constantly wrapped up in the individual nutrient quantities in each food. This is possible because whole foods are inherently very nutrient rich, wherein you are automatically getting an abundance of nutrients by eating them.You are also getting an abundance of highly valuable phytochemicals that are not available from any other source (supplements, etc) other than whole foods.Portion size is determined based on listening to one's body. It is a very intuitive way of eating.I am already very used to eating a free diet already, so the diet approach is very easy for me to follow. I cannot speak for how easy it would be for somebody to follow who was not used to a meat free diet. I can only speak in generalities based on my own experience, and say that I have now been eating meat free for over ten years, after having previously been a big time meat eater for almost 30 years. I think I easily qualified as being one of last people in the world that anyone would have expected to give up meat. But giving it up actually turned out to be extremely easy. The first month or two was tough, but after that you do not even want it anymore. Going meat free is a much healthier (not to mention compassionate toward God's creatures) way to eat, and I highly recommend people adopt this dietary choice.While the author expounds on the benefits of eating meat free, she is very down to Earth and not at all preachy about it. The only negative point I can mention about the author's approach is she states that one of the supposed benefits for avoiding meat is to decrease global warming. However, the whole "theory" behind man-made global warming has been debunked, such that trying to use it as a basis for a person choosing to not eat meat, can potentially cause the whole argument lose credibility. But none of this detracts from the overall quality of the work, which is outstanding. I give this book my unqualified recommendation.

I recv'd my copy of The Vegiterranean Diet yesterday, and it's already had an impact. Ms Hever provides all of the components of veganism that matter to me: why this decision is of merit, how to involve yourself with others who share values of loving kindness and compassion towards all sentient beings, the REAL value of following a Mediterranean Diet - it's not about olive oil, it's about the time-tested (reaching back thousands of years) ways to health (activity, eating truly nourishing foods, finding support, giving back to the community). It's not about drinking red wine, eating fish. It's about packing your meals with fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans - REAL food as opposed to trendy, highly-processed soy stuff, vegan cheese (I don't know HOW those companies get away with calling that orange stuff "cheese"), "meat replacements" - it's like a breath of heady, spicy Mediterranean air. Her writing draws you in from the first page. This book is so informative, so gentle in its approach, so well thought-out and put together.I became a vegan earlier this year. I have read a cornucopia of books on diet and health, nutrition, veganism, vegetarianism, visited FB sites for vegans, animal rights activists/advocacy groups, etc. and found a LOT of mostly conflicting, even contradictory, reasoning and research, lots of inflammatory posts, lots of judgment and rhetoric and fear and misinformation - a glut of emotional flotsam and jetsam mixed in with a few sincere individuals who simply understand that what we eat has an effect on us, our planet, and everything that lives on it and are still a bit confused about how to eat healthfully. Ms Hever approaches this subject with a wealth of personal experience and skill. This book is packed in an easy-to-read format with research information, meal plans, everything. The recipes sound delicious, I finally have a meal plan I can follow as a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic that fits in with my values/etchics. I plan to read her book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Eating, now. I have gone to Dr. Richard Oppenlander's Inspire Awareness Now site, and it's wonderful - she writes about his 40 years of research and books about his studies of how what we eat effects us and our planet. His books are also available on Amazon.Overall, great book. No pictures for those who feel they're a must-have with recipes. Pleasant anecdotes, personal approach, you feel you want her to coach you along the path, or at least meet her in person. I've read McDougall, Esselstyne, Ornish, Fuhrman, on and on, and Ms Hever's book finally is the treasure chest I've been hoping to open.

I thought that the information in this book was interesting enough. As a vegan, I'm familiar with the concepts and was looking forward to finding new recipes for Mediterranean whole plant based foods. I was really disappointed by the recipes. While there were some good ones for basic dishes, the section was far less extensive than I'd imagined. Also, the diet is a beautiful and vibrant one and to have not one photograph of the recipes themselves or the foods that comprised the diet was a major disappointment. I actually bought the book in paper format so I could enjoy the photography. I guess I should have researched it more carefully.

A very balanced and enjoyable health and cookbook-with reviews by Colin T Campbell, Brenda Davis and a forward by Neal Barnard some of whose books I have also read and highly respect because not only are they well educated professionals-but they seem to be walking the talk with a passion for helping people understand how to avoid some of the terrible suffering so many are enduring with life-style related diseases (diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer,high blood pressure,obesity,etc.) The way the information is presented is so interesting and inspiring-and actually explains how to put it into practice. The recipes all have no refined ingredients-the one's I've tried are delicious and very unique.Because food and health are a very personal matter-I would not hesitate sharing this book with any open minded person with confidence that they would benefit from reading it.Thankyou Julieanna Hever!

This is whole food plant based, fat free - NOT Mediterranean vegan. Hever has just shoehorned her pre-held believes into this book. Plus there is a huge over use of Italian foods, the Mediterranean is a lot more than just Italy.

this is an absolutely wonderful cook book full of great recipes I love it can highly recommend it.

A great book

It arrived, I flicked through and it went in the recycling bin. More of an effort from someone to self-publish cheaply than to present an attractive book with info and recipes, which I was expecting.

good