Veganist

February 28, 2011
In this cheery manifesto, healthy-living guru Freston (Quantum Wellness) promises readers who gives up meat, dairy, and eggs that they will effortlessly lose weight, avoid cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's, save money, help the poor, reduce their carbon footprint and animal suffering, and evolve spiritually. Freston, coining the word "veganist," puts a soft edge on the vegan lifestyle: "It's not about hard lines or purity or perfection but about intention and holding ideas loosely and taking steps in the direction of the kind of person you want to be." She supports her claims with interviews from medical authorities like Dean Ornish and Neal Barnard, numerous stories from people who converted and changed their lives, and a few tales from animal rights activists who went undercover in the factory farm. The book provides "tips for making the switch," FAQs answered by Dr. Barnard, and sample menus, but no recipes, so readers used to meat and potatoes may be stymied by how to prepare "flax seed and whole-grain pizza with classic margherita topping." Even so, for the novice, this book offers a gentle, guilt-free path to a meatless (or even, as Feston says, "vegan-ish") life.

May 2, 2011
White turns in a workmanlike performance in this audio version of Freston's guide to the benefits of a plant-based diet. Full of useful tips, practical information, and personal stories about veganism, Freston makes a compelling case for giving up meat and dairy products, but she can present a change in diet as something of a panacea for everything from illness to environmental degradation and spiritual malaise. Karen White's narration is crisp, well-paced and pleasantly cheerful. Her conversational and encouraging delivery works to personalize the book's stories and argumentsâall the while eschewing any hint of sanctimony. A useful, very encouraging guide for listeners considering a vegan or vegetarian diet. A Weinstein hardcover.