Whenever somebody asks me whether I’m a vegan or a vegetarian, I have a standard answer: “Not yet.” I eat a lot of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, but I’ve never officially converted. After reading Alicia Silverstone’s book The Kind Diet, I’m going to change my response to: “I’m flirting with the idea.”

 

Alicia’s book on sticking to a plant-based diet offers three paths toward better eating. 1) Flirting, a diet that’s rich in veggies, but includes small amounts of animal products; 2) Vegan, a diet with no animal products; and 3) Superhero, basically a vegan diet minus processed foods (even the “healthy” ones).

 

I’ve been flirting for years. Have become quite the expert at soaking beans, making fresh vegetable juice, and frequenting health food stores. But I do continue to eat a little fish, chicken, and organic dairy. I’m not sure I’ll ever go hard core vegan (or even vegetarian) cuz I have concerns about too much soy, wheat, and corn, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate reading a book on the topic, especially one that is packed full of healthy recipes. Plus, I like Alicia Silverstone. I can still recite lines from Clueless.

 

You think that’s all I do? I’m just a ditz with a credit card?

 

Or

 

As if! I’m only 16. And this is California, not Kentucky.

 

Okay, enough. I’ll spare you from Travis’ tardy speech.

 

Back to the book. Alicia’s love of animals and care for the earth emanates from the pages (she includes adorable pictures of cows, baby chicks, and piglets). And no matter how many cookbooks I read, I’m often reminded of good tips, such as “salt is there to bring the natural tastes of the food forward, not to cover them.” (Hmm... maybe I should back off the sea salt on my homemade baked kale chips.) Also, I enjoy finding new recipes. I’m trying the Red Radish Tabbouleh on page 226 first. Then the Magical Healing Soup on page 251. Finally, The Kind Diet offers fresh food for thought. Alicia says, “Being vegan is a journey, not a destination. It’s a gentle awakening of the heart, mind, and spirit.” Love that.

 

The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet by Alicia Silverstone (Rodale, $29.99)