1704 Vegetarians in Paradise/Eat Like You Give a Damn/ Book Review
Vegetarians in Paradise

Vegan Books


Eat Like You Give a Damn

By Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten

Book Publishing Company, 2015
Paperback $24.95

Touting the message that vegan is the new "normal," authors Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten, founders of the clothing store Herbivore, created Eat Like You Give a Damn, their appealing cookbook that puts delicious food on their table and deep meaning into their vegan lifestyle.

Both authors began their vegan journey like many long-time vegans, questioning and wondering if vegan living was something they could ever accept. Reading John Robbins' Diet for a New America convinced both they could no longer partake of the animal cruelty most Americans ignore when they go food shopping.

Eat Like You Give a Damn The opening chapter of the book, The Reason, is a poignant statement about the cruelty existing in factory pig farms. The author, an anonymous undercover investigator from Mercy for Animals, shares some daunting experiences that would shock people who have never seen or heard of the horrors that exist in all factory farming.

The Birth of Herbivore is a brief, yet fun peek into the beginnings of their entrepreneurship and very active vegan lifestyle where Veganism is the New Normal, an essay that encourages people to give vegan cooking a try. Michelle says, "Think of these recipes as a jumping-off point. We want you to create food that you'll love to eat, and you know best what rings your bell. Adapt! Be inspired! Eat like you give a damn!"

The book covers typical questions frequently asked and offers quick answers that speak veganese proudly. Questioning parents will feel reassured after reading Raising Vegan Kids, while newbies will appreciate The Herbivore's Cupboard glossary and information on tofu and tempeh.

For the morning meal, a tempting Apples & Peanut Butter Smoothie makes a delightfully fruity sweet start, while the four breakfast scrambles and Diner Breakfast Tacos offer delicious and hearty savories for the first meal of the day. Perhaps the Sausage Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches or the Savory Breakfast Grain Bowl make preferred choices in place of oatmeal or granola offerings in the Breakfast chapter.

Basics & Staples is Michelle and Josh's impressive section of homemade pantry condiments and essential sauces that make every meal special. Recipe seekers who crave cheese will love the So Faux Feta, Yellow Rose Parmesan, and Tofu Queso Fresco that are simply prepared by mixing or processing and are ready to eat in moments. This chapter does wonders with seasoning tofu by marinating it or spreading it with barbecue or hot sauce.

The Salad and Soup chapter introduces a tempting, super-easy, oil-free kale salad featuring tahini and tamari that just might have the same delicious impact on others as it did on Michelle. The chapter offers a host of other salads plus a Sunny Split Pea Soup and Herbivore chili far tastier than Mama made.

Michelle Schwegmann & Josh Hooten Because broccoli stalks are often given a pass, the authors put them on stage tastefully dressed with a ginger chili sauce, while corn on the cob is slathered with pesto and Parmesan.

Dinner at the Herbivore table might feature an irresistible serving of Sweet Potato Ravioli with Popeye Pesto Sauce or, perhaps, Skillet Taco Pizza featuring a cornmeal crust and south of the border toppings.

Those who adore desserts will easily fall in love with the homemade quick breads and muffins and find the company-ready Chocolate Chip-Banana Bread Pudding the perfect make-ahead dessert.

The book is a banquet, giving the eyes a luscious feast. Most of the recipes are accompanied with tantalizing, full-color pages of the mouth-watering dishes that make the book compelling. The volume is attractive and eye appealing, graphically well-designed, and printed on glossy clay-coated paper.

The Eat Like You Give A Damn cookbook is a gem of easy every-day vegan dishes, a terrific go-to volume for the every-day household. Though these recipes grace the Herbivore's dining table, they're ideal for everyone's table. Between the covers are the magical recipes that make foodies smile and mealtimes so delightful.



Click here for past book reviews


Vegetarians in Paradise