The Balanced Plate: The Essential Elements of Whole Foods and Good Health

by Renée Loux

Famed raw foods chef Renée Loux celebrates the growing whole foods movement with The Balanced Plateover, containing 150 delicious, creative recipes and practical advice for leading a healthy, whole life In her first book, Living Cuisine , Renée Loux showed how nutritious and satisfying raw foods cuisine can be. Now she takes a broader look at the benefits of a diet rich in natural, whole foods. Under the banner of "nutritional cross-training," Renée outlines the basic principles of such dietary plans as macrobiotics and Ayurveda, and dishes up flavorful whole foods recipes for optimal health––including Ratatouille Thin Crust Pizza, Roasted Spring Vegetable Salad, and Lemon Vanilla Ginger Snaps––with a nod to gluten-free living, blood sugar balance, and boosted immunity. You are what you eat, Renée explains, but you are also what you use to clean your house and your skin, and so sprinkled throughout the book readers will find ideas for introducing the whole-foods philosophy to their home and beauty routines, including tips for composting and choosing a healthy water filter. When Living Cuisine appeared, Alicia Silverstone applauded Renée's recipes, "Incredibly rich and delicious and full of health and restorative energy, her food is medicine." Part eco-friendly cookbook and part organic lifestyle guide, this new book reflects that same spirit, while presenting the essential elements of living well through whole foods, and living responsibly for a sustainable future.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Green

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2006

Reviews

[Cassie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is phenomenal. The chapter "the true cost of food" really opened my eyes and inspired me to adopt a plant-based diet. Her clear and concise descriptions of what food is and what our relationship with it should be really spoke me. If you have any questions about why or how to "go organic" you need to read this book! I didn't use the actual recipies, but I have used the wealth of information to change my eating habits for a healthier life and a healthier planet.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very healthy ayurvedic recipes...

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee Loux has done it again with a book full of important information and delicious recipes that are accessible to even beginner cooks. This book provides recipes for raw foodists, vegans, folks with food allergies and folks who follow Ayurvedic, Macrobiotic and a Low-GI diets. In addition to recipes, she also offers lots of great tips on how to live a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable lifestyle. I love this book!

[Leslye · Rating 4 out of 5]

not just another cookbook...this book covers many elements of healthy living, including natural cleaning ideas and indoor plants for healthy living space.
the recipes are address and are adaptable for wheat-free eating, more raw food eating, and cooking for weak digestion. the approach to feeding the individual, rather than shoving a dogmatic idea down the throat is refreshing. i'd recommend everyone get a copy of this treasure.

[Erin C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite cookbooks. I picked it up at Costco randomly several years ago not really knowing what it contained, but knowing it was up my alley. It has become a wonderful resource, with fabulous recipes, vegan, veggie, raw, ayurvedic, macrobiotic, etc - plus a wealth of information. So delicious, and so usable.

[Loree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides both lifestyle and food recommendations. Over a 100 recipes and tips on how to cultivate health and harmony in your life.

Nicely presented ... with delicious whole foods based dietary plans and tips for living green. Worth picking up a copy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renee Loux offers smart, sexy healthy ways to eat and live green. This collection is vegetarian.

[Cenamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great find for anyone looking for more info on organics, GMOs and keeping balance. It also has some great recipes! I'd recommend it to anyone!

[Carrie Hunsucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read too many books on this subject. I enjoyed Integrative Nutrition more, but to be fair I read it first!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vegan pizza, steamed/sauteed/massaged greens, avocado chocolate mousse...I love this cookbook.