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The Healthspan Solution: How and What to Eat to Add Life to Your Years
Increase your lifespan and optimize your health with plant-based recipes for a longer, more vibrant life.
Authors and leading plant-based nutrition experts Julieanna Hever and Ray Cronise have spent over a decade researching diet and nutrition, analyzing longevity studies, and helping their clients achieve sustainable, lasting health benefits by adopting a whole food, plant-based diet.
In The Healthspan Solution, they share the simple and effective diet that has allowed their clients to lose weight, reverse disease, reduce or eliminate medication use, and achieve optimal health. This accessible and easy-to-follow guide examines the health risks posed by typical Western eating habits and explains how a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices can lead to lower blood pressure, healthy weight management, and longer life.
Their flexible, customizable approach to eating challenges the conventional idea of breakfast, lunch, and dinner and focuses instead on soups, salads, sides, and sweets. With 100 delicious recipes to choose from, The Healthspan Solution make adopting a plant-based lifestyle simple and sustainable.
Evidence-based research on the scientific underpinnings of the healthspan diet
Easy-to-follow guidelines simplify food choices without being restrictive
Beautifully photographed recipes offer options and flexibility
Praise for The Healthspan Solution:
"Ray and Julieanna didn't write a fad diet book. It's about making a permanent lifestyle transformation. The magic is I still can eat anything I want. The trick is what I want has profoundly changed. They did the trick for me and saved my life-now let them help you."-Penn Jillette, Las Vegas entertainer and magician
"Ray is a scientific visionary and Julieanna is a master of nutrition. Together they've written a fact-based recipe book for longevity that belongs in every kitchen. Buy it."-David Sinclair, PhD, AO, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
"Working with Julieanna and Ray has given me a profoundly new understanding of how food impacts health and how what we eat is often dictated by social influences. I'm excited to be a part of their effort to push to this message out to a far bigger audience."-Cyan Banister, angel investor and entrepreneur
"Julieanna and Ray are an incredible team. While others have sought to demonstrate the adequacy of an exclusively plant-sourced diet, they teach how it can be superior and mimics longevity research."-Rich Roll, plant-powered ultra athlete and author
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2019
99 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 12, 2019
This is one of my favorite health/diet/cooking books that I've read in a long time, just because it made me think so often and was so packed with interesting information. The book's focus is on living a long life and the authors point out that a lot of the dietary advice given is helpful for early in life in terms of reproduction and athletic performance, but not for being disease-free after midlife or for a longer life. They point out that we are living somewhat longer but chronic illness is striking us earlier, so we are living many years with pain and illness. They also look at the societies with much longer lifespans than the standard American like Loma Lima, Okinawa and the Mediterranean. They point out that these groups don't tend to overeat and they tend towards plant-based diets. Even though people like those in Okinawa are not technically vegan, the authors say that only about 1% of their diet is fish and less than 1% is eggs and dairy, for instance. They also repeatedly stress the fact that longer lives are tied to eating less and to longer periods of not eating (which they say we need for daily repair the same way we need periods of long sleep each night for repair, that we are constantly making our bodies switch to digestion instead of the revitalization they do when not sidetracked by digestion).
What's really interesting is they talk about the cycles that we lived through in most of our millions of years of existence, and how our bodies are built for these. We know how important it is to get enough sleep and for it to be in the dark, which is part of this cycle. But they talk about how our artificial environments are preventing us from being part of other cycles our bodies need like winter/summer, cold/hot, etc. They say we live in a constant state of metabolic summer and that our bodies need lots of breaks between eating, times when we are cool (not cold), and so on. This section is very long and goes into it much better than I am, but I found it all fascinating and it gave me much to think about. They also offer a food triangle that talks about how paleo, vegan, etc. folks eat and say not to pay attention to the labels but just aim for the top of the triangle that all diets agree are best (greens, roots, mushrooms, healthy veggies).
We already live very seasonally in our family (we forage and garden and eat by the seasons, have a slower life in the winter, etc.) but I will definitely be implementing more of this and will be mindful of it all in the new year.
The second half of the book is filled with recipes. This is where I expected the book to fall short, as healthy vegan cookbooks are rarely appetizing or exciting. The book pleasantly surprised me here with gorgeous color photos and really appealing dishes (for whole food vegan dishes -- don't expect chocolate cake). The food styling was exceptional and the dishes really did look great. The ingredients were very real and whole foods based (another reviewer said there was a lot of soy and I disagree unless she means things like soy sauce). The authors also say to go ahead and eat whatever food, just a lot less of it and most of the time to eat these types of real, nourishing, whole foods. Recipes are also provided for healthy plant-based staples like sauces and cheese substitutes.
This was a really deep, scientific read. I would recommend really reading the first part and not just looking at it as a cookbook, as that part had the most food for thought, so to speak. ;)
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
What's really interesting is they talk about the cycles that we lived through in most of our millions of years of existence, and how our bodies are built for these. We know how important it is to get enough sleep and for it to be in the dark, which is part of this cycle. But they talk about how our artificial environments are preventing us from being part of other cycles our bodies need like winter/summer, cold/hot, etc. They say we live in a constant state of metabolic summer and that our bodies need lots of breaks between eating, times when we are cool (not cold), and so on. This section is very long and goes into it much better than I am, but I found it all fascinating and it gave me much to think about. They also offer a food triangle that talks about how paleo, vegan, etc. folks eat and say not to pay attention to the labels but just aim for the top of the triangle that all diets agree are best (greens, roots, mushrooms, healthy veggies).
We already live very seasonally in our family (we forage and garden and eat by the seasons, have a slower life in the winter, etc.) but I will definitely be implementing more of this and will be mindful of it all in the new year.
The second half of the book is filled with recipes. This is where I expected the book to fall short, as healthy vegan cookbooks are rarely appetizing or exciting. The book pleasantly surprised me here with gorgeous color photos and really appealing dishes (for whole food vegan dishes -- don't expect chocolate cake). The food styling was exceptional and the dishes really did look great. The ingredients were very real and whole foods based (another reviewer said there was a lot of soy and I disagree unless she means things like soy sauce). The authors also say to go ahead and eat whatever food, just a lot less of it and most of the time to eat these types of real, nourishing, whole foods. Recipes are also provided for healthy plant-based staples like sauces and cheese substitutes.
This was a really deep, scientific read. I would recommend really reading the first part and not just looking at it as a cookbook, as that part had the most food for thought, so to speak. ;)
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
June 21, 2020
This is more than a diet book, a cookbook, or a treatise for plant-based eating: it's like a user manual for your body. It helps you figure out not only your nutritional needs (in terms of science, not pseudoscience) and sleep rhythms. The goal is not just losing weight but really improving health.
The recipes are fairly challenging, but provide enough variety that even picky eaters and hapless cooks can find plenty of options to add to their repertoire. The meals are also beautifully photographed, but there is a problem...
The only reason I am deducting a star is that every page is set on a textured background--it looks like a photo of somebody's marble countertop, maybe? Anyway, that background, combined with the small serif font, makes it hard to read. I have good vision, but I was feeling some eye fatigue after reading more than a few pages. Readers with worse vision may be better off skipping this one, which is a shame, since the information is so useful.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.
The recipes are fairly challenging, but provide enough variety that even picky eaters and hapless cooks can find plenty of options to add to their repertoire. The meals are also beautifully photographed, but there is a problem...
The only reason I am deducting a star is that every page is set on a textured background--it looks like a photo of somebody's marble countertop, maybe? Anyway, that background, combined with the small serif font, makes it hard to read. I have good vision, but I was feeling some eye fatigue after reading more than a few pages. Readers with worse vision may be better off skipping this one, which is a shame, since the information is so useful.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.
January 10, 2020
"The Healthspan Solution" talked about longevity and how diet influences longevity, plus they included 100+ whole food, plant-based recipes. They talked about things like the evolutionary theory of aging, the biological pathways of longevity, and why they suggestion eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. I found their arrogant attitude to be rather off-putting. Rather than explain the science behind why some current eating trends are unhealthy, they would basically just say: we know better so just do what we say. The science mostly focused on the longevity aspects and was from an evolutionary viewpoint.
They also made statements like: most of the world is over nourished, so we shouldn't worry about being deficient in nutrients anymore. They don't seem to realize how much of the world is still in food poverty. Ironically, they then talk about several supplements you should take. They also assure the reader that food can create the changes that allow longevity now, but drug companies will soon have more effective interventions (basically, pills for longevity). Er, that kind of takes away one's motivation to change their diet. They also mostly focused on people who are not sick yet rather than addressing how people with health problems can use food to get better (even though eating this way does help with diabetes, cancer, etc.).
The second half of the book contained recipes, and most of the recipes had photos of the dishes. The recipes included prep time, cook time, and yield. They're aiming for awesome taste rather than ease of making the recipe, so some recipes are easier than others. Some of the recipes had long lists of ingredients, including ingredients that might be difficult to find locally. They were very specific about ingredients, like Mexican oregano rather than just oregano. They suggest getting ingredients online if you can't find them locally. They included 24 recipes for soups, 24 recipes for salads, 24 recipes for side and main dishes, 14 recipes for sweets (mostly involving fruit), and 24 recipes for dressings, sauces, and seasonings.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
They also made statements like: most of the world is over nourished, so we shouldn't worry about being deficient in nutrients anymore. They don't seem to realize how much of the world is still in food poverty. Ironically, they then talk about several supplements you should take. They also assure the reader that food can create the changes that allow longevity now, but drug companies will soon have more effective interventions (basically, pills for longevity). Er, that kind of takes away one's motivation to change their diet. They also mostly focused on people who are not sick yet rather than addressing how people with health problems can use food to get better (even though eating this way does help with diabetes, cancer, etc.).
The second half of the book contained recipes, and most of the recipes had photos of the dishes. The recipes included prep time, cook time, and yield. They're aiming for awesome taste rather than ease of making the recipe, so some recipes are easier than others. Some of the recipes had long lists of ingredients, including ingredients that might be difficult to find locally. They were very specific about ingredients, like Mexican oregano rather than just oregano. They suggest getting ingredients online if you can't find them locally. They included 24 recipes for soups, 24 recipes for salads, 24 recipes for side and main dishes, 14 recipes for sweets (mostly involving fruit), and 24 recipes for dressings, sauces, and seasonings.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
December 5, 2019
The first four chapters of this book give their interpretation of the current medical research into what promotes longevity with good health in humans. They call this "health span". The remainder of the book consists of low fat vegan recipes.
As a nutritionist I have also studied much of the same primary medical research that the authors have. I agree with many, but not all, of their views. Regular, moderate intensity exercise, good sleep, maintaining a normal BMI, and intermittent fasting have been shown to help improve good health and therefore probably also increase longevity in people. They maintain that a low calorie diet increases lifespan. This has been shown to be true in animals, but not yet in humans. It may be the case, but not necessarily.
They imply that a low fat vegan diet is how the centenarians in the Blue Zones gained their long lifespans. In fact, none of these societies are vegan and several of them eat higher fat diets. Both of the Mediterranean cultures have a liberal use of olive oil, eggs and cheese (often from goats) as well as some meat. Only 10% of Seventh Day Adventists are vegan, according to the Loma Linda research on Seventh Day Adventist lifestyles. About 50% are omnivores and the remaining 40% are some form of vegetarian.
There are many different types of whole, real food diets that can be healthy. I have a tendency to higher blood sugar, so I limit starchy carbs. I follow more of Mark Hyman's recommendations to eat healthy animal foods plus lots of lower carb vegetables and a little fruit. I find most of my nutrition clients do best on a lower carb-type diet.
These recipes are heavily reliant on both beans and soy. I, and many of my nutrition clients, are not able eat these due to gut health issues and food sensitivities. I could not use any of the recipes in this book. If you like and are able to eat legumes, then you may like this book. Otherwise, check out some of Dr. Hyman's cookbooks.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a nutritionist I have also studied much of the same primary medical research that the authors have. I agree with many, but not all, of their views. Regular, moderate intensity exercise, good sleep, maintaining a normal BMI, and intermittent fasting have been shown to help improve good health and therefore probably also increase longevity in people. They maintain that a low calorie diet increases lifespan. This has been shown to be true in animals, but not yet in humans. It may be the case, but not necessarily.
They imply that a low fat vegan diet is how the centenarians in the Blue Zones gained their long lifespans. In fact, none of these societies are vegan and several of them eat higher fat diets. Both of the Mediterranean cultures have a liberal use of olive oil, eggs and cheese (often from goats) as well as some meat. Only 10% of Seventh Day Adventists are vegan, according to the Loma Linda research on Seventh Day Adventist lifestyles. About 50% are omnivores and the remaining 40% are some form of vegetarian.
There are many different types of whole, real food diets that can be healthy. I have a tendency to higher blood sugar, so I limit starchy carbs. I follow more of Mark Hyman's recommendations to eat healthy animal foods plus lots of lower carb vegetables and a little fruit. I find most of my nutrition clients do best on a lower carb-type diet.
These recipes are heavily reliant on both beans and soy. I, and many of my nutrition clients, are not able eat these due to gut health issues and food sensitivities. I could not use any of the recipes in this book. If you like and are able to eat legumes, then you may like this book. Otherwise, check out some of Dr. Hyman's cookbooks.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2019
I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley, DK, and the authors in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
The Healthspan Solution provides science and recipes in support of a plant based lifestyle.
Science: The first few chapters are science: I am a lay person, and definitely not a scientist. I am a veteran of many diets, however. Every diet, whether it be Paleo, Atkins, low fat, high fat, Vegan, or many others, provides science to back up their claims. I have no idea whose science is right and whose is not. As someone who has tried many diets, however, I do know that I need to greatly increase my intake of vegetables. In fact most diets agree on that. I don't intend to adapt a 100% plant based lifestyle. I do, however, agree that 9 servings of vegetables a day and two servings of fruit will be greatly beneficial to my health.
Recipes: Amazing!!! I have been looking for appetizing recipes for vegetables that make me want to eat more, and this is it. Cauliflower rice chickpea curry? Yes, please. Mexican rice burrito bowl? The meat isn't missed at all. Deep South bowl? Wow! The soups, from Rotel Broccoli Bisque to Hot and Sour Shitake Udon, look amazing. I am looking forward to trying many of these recipes. Adding vegetables to my diet can be delicious and creative. Will I ever be a full time vegan? I doubt it. But I will use these recipes to make vegetables a star attraction on my plate instead of an afterthought.
I must mention the photographs in this book as well. The pictures of the completed recipes are gorgeous.
The Healthspan Solution provides science and recipes in support of a plant based lifestyle.
Science: The first few chapters are science: I am a lay person, and definitely not a scientist. I am a veteran of many diets, however. Every diet, whether it be Paleo, Atkins, low fat, high fat, Vegan, or many others, provides science to back up their claims. I have no idea whose science is right and whose is not. As someone who has tried many diets, however, I do know that I need to greatly increase my intake of vegetables. In fact most diets agree on that. I don't intend to adapt a 100% plant based lifestyle. I do, however, agree that 9 servings of vegetables a day and two servings of fruit will be greatly beneficial to my health.
Recipes: Amazing!!! I have been looking for appetizing recipes for vegetables that make me want to eat more, and this is it. Cauliflower rice chickpea curry? Yes, please. Mexican rice burrito bowl? The meat isn't missed at all. Deep South bowl? Wow! The soups, from Rotel Broccoli Bisque to Hot and Sour Shitake Udon, look amazing. I am looking forward to trying many of these recipes. Adding vegetables to my diet can be delicious and creative. Will I ever be a full time vegan? I doubt it. But I will use these recipes to make vegetables a star attraction on my plate instead of an afterthought.
I must mention the photographs in this book as well. The pictures of the completed recipes are gorgeous.
February 6, 2021
My first review of this book just disappeared into the ether. :(
It’s a great nutritional science book, so if you grabbed it hoping for a better laid out plan of the lifestyle changes Cronise guided Penn Jillette and other celebrities through -no such luck. It does make the science behind the choices described in Jillette’s book (fed window, metabolic winter, etc.) very clear.
I wish Cronise would make the actual eating plan he guided his celebrity clients & friends through available for the public. Phase 2 is extremely vague and Jillette’s Phase 3 is Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutritarian, the recipes and the suggestions in this book (seasonings, though sparingly used, include less-sodium tamari, MSG, molasses) aren’t compliant with that. So now I need to figure out the best way to forge on.
My husband is disabled and was told losing weight would help mobility/pain levels, yet the doctors never have a way for him to do it...when I read Jillette’s book and saw NO EXERCISE until you hit goal weight I finally felt a ray of hope. If he loses enough weight, according to Dr., his increased mobility and decreased pain SHOULD allow for exercise at that point.
It’s a great nutritional science book, so if you grabbed it hoping for a better laid out plan of the lifestyle changes Cronise guided Penn Jillette and other celebrities through -no such luck. It does make the science behind the choices described in Jillette’s book (fed window, metabolic winter, etc.) very clear.
I wish Cronise would make the actual eating plan he guided his celebrity clients & friends through available for the public. Phase 2 is extremely vague and Jillette’s Phase 3 is Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutritarian, the recipes and the suggestions in this book (seasonings, though sparingly used, include less-sodium tamari, MSG, molasses) aren’t compliant with that. So now I need to figure out the best way to forge on.
My husband is disabled and was told losing weight would help mobility/pain levels, yet the doctors never have a way for him to do it...when I read Jillette’s book and saw NO EXERCISE until you hit goal weight I finally felt a ray of hope. If he loses enough weight, according to Dr., his increased mobility and decreased pain SHOULD allow for exercise at that point.
February 12, 2023
I was impressed with this cookbook. I ended up adding 10 recipes to my upcoming meal plans and would have tried more of the recipes if I didn't already have favorite versions I made all the time. I'll be coming back to this one again someday to see what else appeals to me as my tastes change.
December 4, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Healthspan Solution is a diet guide with recipes aimed at increasing the quality of lifespan by improving lifestyle/diet choices. Due out 17th Dec 2019 from Penguin/Random House on their DK imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
There is a bewildering plethora of diet advice out there suggesting that eating one thing or avoiding another will improve your health and prolong your life. This book takes a more holistic view and provides some interesting fact based reasoning for following a plant based diet in order to reap a longer healthier lifespan with a slower decline than most western based (meat heavy) diets.
The book's introductory chapters give an overview over society's change from a crisis of under-nutrition and the struggle to acquire enough food to survive to the current situation of over-abundance in much of the world, and an overabundance of cheaper, easier, less nutrient dense (wrong) foods. The authors also spend a fair bit of time and effort explaining the biological changes in aging and maturation, the idea of health optimization by lifestyle and diet choices, and other biochemical processes involved in metabolic processes and how they are affected by aging. Roughly 40% of the page content is used exploring the available research and explaining some of the biology involved. They do an admirable job of making the science interesting and layman accessible.
The introductory chapters are followed by recipes arranged thematically: soups, salads, sides, sweets, and sauces. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric conversions), and step by step instructions. There is no nutritional info provided. The recipes are photographed very well and clearly, with roughly 50% of the dishes shown in a photograph. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate.
The recipe ingredients themselves are mostly easily sourced and will be available at well stocked grocery stores along with some ingredients being found in international/Asian markets (kombu, nori, etc). The book does include a solid cross referenced index which includes ingredients.
The book also includes an impressive links/annotations/resources list which will give readers a rich source for further investigation.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Healthspan Solution is a diet guide with recipes aimed at increasing the quality of lifespan by improving lifestyle/diet choices. Due out 17th Dec 2019 from Penguin/Random House on their DK imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
There is a bewildering plethora of diet advice out there suggesting that eating one thing or avoiding another will improve your health and prolong your life. This book takes a more holistic view and provides some interesting fact based reasoning for following a plant based diet in order to reap a longer healthier lifespan with a slower decline than most western based (meat heavy) diets.
The book's introductory chapters give an overview over society's change from a crisis of under-nutrition and the struggle to acquire enough food to survive to the current situation of over-abundance in much of the world, and an overabundance of cheaper, easier, less nutrient dense (wrong) foods. The authors also spend a fair bit of time and effort explaining the biological changes in aging and maturation, the idea of health optimization by lifestyle and diet choices, and other biochemical processes involved in metabolic processes and how they are affected by aging. Roughly 40% of the page content is used exploring the available research and explaining some of the biology involved. They do an admirable job of making the science interesting and layman accessible.
The introductory chapters are followed by recipes arranged thematically: soups, salads, sides, sweets, and sauces. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric conversions), and step by step instructions. There is no nutritional info provided. The recipes are photographed very well and clearly, with roughly 50% of the dishes shown in a photograph. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate.
The recipe ingredients themselves are mostly easily sourced and will be available at well stocked grocery stores along with some ingredients being found in international/Asian markets (kombu, nori, etc). The book does include a solid cross referenced index which includes ingredients.
The book also includes an impressive links/annotations/resources list which will give readers a rich source for further investigation.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 15, 2020
This is not your average cookbook, but is one based on science and history. The goal of The Healthspan Solution is to, “deliciously optimize your health, sustainably manage your weight, and to not just live longer, but to live longer with vitality, clarity, and intention.” The authors address how living in a society centered on food impacts our eating and our health. They stress the need to change our habits. Eating habits during the first half of one's life can dramatically impact the quality of life in the second half, but it is never too late to make new habits. The book includes a lot of scientific information to explain its premise, specifically research on aging. Our biggest problem may be overnutrition. Information is also provided on a variety of nutrients, their function, and the best source for providing them to our bodies. Meal frequency and the question as to how often and for how long our bodies need to remain in a fed state is discussed, as is the impact of sleep and activity.
The first recipe doesn't appear until page 96 beginning the chapter on soups. The recipes in this cookbook focus on whole foods. Some of the recipes require ingredients not readily found in our small town grocery, but most sound so delicious that I plan on ordering the necessary ingredients online if I cannot find them locally. Most of the recipes have color photos of the dish that look upscale restaurant worthy. They certainly don't look like diet food, but they do look like delicious, healthy food.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this unusual cookbook from Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.
The first recipe doesn't appear until page 96 beginning the chapter on soups. The recipes in this cookbook focus on whole foods. Some of the recipes require ingredients not readily found in our small town grocery, but most sound so delicious that I plan on ordering the necessary ingredients online if I cannot find them locally. Most of the recipes have color photos of the dish that look upscale restaurant worthy. They certainly don't look like diet food, but they do look like delicious, healthy food.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this unusual cookbook from Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.
February 16, 2020
This book is about how to have a healthy lifestyle. It discusses having a whole foods diet, talks about intermittent fasting, how much sleep to get, how exercise benefits a body, employing cold stress and basically being mindful about your mental health and wellness and decisions that affect that. I have been reading a lot of Dr. Gregor's books and will admit this writing style just did not have the pull that those have for me. I'm not sure if it was the way the research was presented or what. Not bad or dry necessarily, just not extremely engaging. They have the 6 daily 3's which sounds exactly like Dr. Gregor's daily dozen just not in as much detail. Basically highlighting a plant based diet and what the basis of that should consist of.
I was pretty impressed with the recipes. I liked that they had FLAVOR, there's been so many plant based cookbooks I've looked at that have hardly any herbs and spices in them and they are so bland. I love the pictures, of course I would have loved pictures for every recipe, but the pictures you do see are beautiful and appetizing. I felt like there were a variety of cuisines without have a ton of hard to find/unheard of ingredients.
I loved the recipe 'formulator's' that gave you a basic recipe and then ability to alter for a variety of meals. (Cream of soups being 1, bean burger being another - (ex. basic recipe then alterations to make bbq burger, thai burger, curry burger, etc) LOVED that.
I was pretty impressed with the recipes. I liked that they had FLAVOR, there's been so many plant based cookbooks I've looked at that have hardly any herbs and spices in them and they are so bland. I love the pictures, of course I would have loved pictures for every recipe, but the pictures you do see are beautiful and appetizing. I felt like there were a variety of cuisines without have a ton of hard to find/unheard of ingredients.
I loved the recipe 'formulator's' that gave you a basic recipe and then ability to alter for a variety of meals. (Cream of soups being 1, bean burger being another - (ex. basic recipe then alterations to make bbq burger, thai burger, curry burger, etc) LOVED that.
March 6, 2020
The tittle of this book really captured my attention. There are so many books out there with good information but this one have 93 pages. It discusses the vitamins the body needs and the foods where you can find them. There is a good explanation of the nutrition facts labels and healthspan habits (like sleep and exercise among others. I read some parts of the book to my teenager who is now concerned about her health and eating practices.
The recipes are vegan and contain no oils. The author explain the reason behind it but I am stubborn I personally like to saute my vegetables in some olive oil , and a tablespoon or so would do the trick. Recipes are simple and healthy. Love the Moroccan red lentil soup (I love lentil soups!!). The Roasted Broccoli Bisque was extremely easy and tasty.
There is a Bean Burger formulator which is really fun and handy to try different beans with veggies and grains to make burger patties.
The pictures of the finished plates are beautiful and colorful.
The recipes are vegan and contain no oils. The author explain the reason behind it but I am stubborn I personally like to saute my vegetables in some olive oil , and a tablespoon or so would do the trick. Recipes are simple and healthy. Love the Moroccan red lentil soup (I love lentil soups!!). The Roasted Broccoli Bisque was extremely easy and tasty.
There is a Bean Burger formulator which is really fun and handy to try different beans with veggies and grains to make burger patties.
The pictures of the finished plates are beautiful and colorful.
July 4, 2020
This book is not about "weight loss," but rather is one that focuses on exploring the scientific basis for eating certain foods over others in order to promote greater health and longevity. It's a bit too technical at times, and can be a dense read, but is worth the effort in order to gain this valuable knowledge.
While not strictly advocating a vegan diet, all of the recipes are vegan, and the authors make it clear that their research has revealed that the elimination of meat and dairy (or certainly limiting them severely) is key to the goals of living longer and more healthfully. I have tried to live a vegan lifestyle before, and found that it did not work for me. However, I still believe that incorporating more vegan options into my diet can only be a good thing.
One of the unique aspects of this book is that the recipes are designed to provide the satisfactions we all crave, such as enjoyment of sweet, salty, and savory foods. I have not tried any of these recipes yet, but I look forward to doing so.
While not strictly advocating a vegan diet, all of the recipes are vegan, and the authors make it clear that their research has revealed that the elimination of meat and dairy (or certainly limiting them severely) is key to the goals of living longer and more healthfully. I have tried to live a vegan lifestyle before, and found that it did not work for me. However, I still believe that incorporating more vegan options into my diet can only be a good thing.
One of the unique aspects of this book is that the recipes are designed to provide the satisfactions we all crave, such as enjoyment of sweet, salty, and savory foods. I have not tried any of these recipes yet, but I look forward to doing so.
June 29, 2020
I've already far dranken the kool-aid of what they and other plant-based folks are selling, but it's always nice to do some further reading and I always bone up on some things and learn others that are new along the way and I'm ALWAYS game for new recipes.
If you're looking to improve your health this is the cook book for you - the first half is a great easy to understand guide through the healthiest way to eat and live - and while I haven't tried the recipes yet, the ones they had in their previous book: Plant-Based Nutrition (A Dummies Guide to) are really simple, tasty, and amazing.
HIGHLY recommend this.
If you're looking to improve your health this is the cook book for you - the first half is a great easy to understand guide through the healthiest way to eat and live - and while I haven't tried the recipes yet, the ones they had in their previous book: Plant-Based Nutrition (A Dummies Guide to) are really simple, tasty, and amazing.
HIGHLY recommend this.
January 1, 2020
This is more than just a cookbook. The first half is all about Cronise & Hever's research and idea of nutrition. They talk about different nutrients you need and how you can get these items from plant-based food. They also talk about the debate in the plant-based community about the use of oil and how they choose to use it. Then you get into the recipes and there is something for everyone in there. If you are looking for a cookbook that bases their nutrition on science this is a good one to pickup.
January 4, 2020
This cookbook is filled with delicious recipes. The first part of the book delving into the science behind a plant based diet. At first I wasn’t overly excited to explore that and simply wanted new ways to incorporate more veggies into my diet. However, after reading I have to admit I learned a lot about this lifestyle change and it has helped me realize the benefits of eating healthy plant based food. I can’t say I plan to convert completely but the recipes are seriously amazing so truly it’s a win. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
January 6, 2020
The healthspan Solution is an amazing book full of education! There are many wonderful recipes where everyone will find something they like! I loved learning not only the how but the why when it comes to eating to live a better more healthy life. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to find a more natural healthy way in life.
January 20, 2020
I normally do not pick up books like this, but the title and plot perked my interest. I thought this was a well researched book and it talked about a lot about the different diets and how they can effect people. I like how it is not a "diet' book but a permanent lifestyle transformation on how to change your habits and find things that work for you.
July 2, 2020
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to download this before it archived, however, I bought it shortly after. After reading, I decided to go vegan. I'm still working at going 100% plant-based, but I feel so much better! I don't deal with regular intestinal pain anymore, I have more energy, and my brain fog has cleared up exponentially. I'm thankful for this book and making my transition easier!
May 21, 2020
Has a very scientific section explaining why it all works and I'm sure my eyes glazed over while reading this part. Good info and good recipes!
November 3, 2020
A great read with good info
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October 3, 2021 With so many books out there promising greater longevity and a healthier lifestyle, it gets harder selecting truth from fiction. Each one may have a solution, but only so many seem more promising.
THE HEALTHSPAN SOLUTION is an all-round healthier lifestyle book with an assortment of recipes as well. The authors know their subject well, offering “Healthspan” as the key component.
This term is defined in the book as “The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease and the disabilities of aging.”
In the book they offer examples, also showcasing the right foods, along with precise vitamins to keep the body in the best condition as long as humanly possible. We are living longer than ever before, but at the same time our bodies are breaking down with greater consistency. That is a function of what we put inside it, along with keeping an active lifestyle.
They add that diet replaced smoking as the number one cause of death. That is a sobering statistic. Ten Healthspan habits are included in the book, such as keep eating right, eat less, don’t be driven by diet dogma, and be active, among others. With more than 100 plant-based recipes in the book, that will also assist us in attaining our goals.
If you are seeking a longer lease on life and alternatives for healthier meals, then HEALTHSPAN SOLUTION will definitely help increase your lifespan as well.
THE HEALTHSPAN SOLUTION is an all-round healthier lifestyle book with an assortment of recipes as well. The authors know their subject well, offering “Healthspan” as the key component.
This term is defined in the book as “The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease and the disabilities of aging.”
In the book they offer examples, also showcasing the right foods, along with precise vitamins to keep the body in the best condition as long as humanly possible. We are living longer than ever before, but at the same time our bodies are breaking down with greater consistency. That is a function of what we put inside it, along with keeping an active lifestyle.
They add that diet replaced smoking as the number one cause of death. That is a sobering statistic. Ten Healthspan habits are included in the book, such as keep eating right, eat less, don’t be driven by diet dogma, and be active, among others. With more than 100 plant-based recipes in the book, that will also assist us in attaining our goals.
If you are seeking a longer lease on life and alternatives for healthier meals, then HEALTHSPAN SOLUTION will definitely help increase your lifespan as well.
June 30, 2021
Only thing to complain about is that some recipies are printed on pages with a background, which makes them harder to read for these old eyes. But all the recipies I've tried (about 5-7) have been good.
September 12, 2021
Many good ideas, but insulin's role in fat storage was completely ignored.
March 7, 2022
Ok, I skimmed it but lots of tasty looking/sounding recipes! Will have to borrow it once my MIL moves on to the next diet ;)
February 12, 2021
Read the hardcover version but that option was not available on goodreads. Tried a sample on Kindle but would need a microscope to read it there.
I love fooling myself into thinking i will live to 120 and stay young a loooong time. Cheap thrills but they work for me.
No but honestly a well written, believable and applicable book. And turning people into (enter diet type-) villains is a choice which the authors point out in a very nice way.
We are very lucky to have -8 degrees outside right which makes gentle thermogenesis is very easy too achieve ....
I love fooling myself into thinking i will live to 120 and stay young a loooong time. Cheap thrills but they work for me.
No but honestly a well written, believable and applicable book. And turning people into (enter diet type-) villains is a choice which the authors point out in a very nice way.
We are very lucky to have -8 degrees outside right which makes gentle thermogenesis is very easy too achieve ....
May 29, 2020
A trite retelling of research done by others. You can get the same info reading Fuhrman, as well as the metabolic winter hypothesis.
The recipes are okay, I guess, but a LOT of them fall into the "moderate amounts of certain foods are okay". I much prefer Fuhrman's work on nutrition.
The recipes are okay, I guess, but a LOT of them fall into the "moderate amounts of certain foods are okay". I much prefer Fuhrman's work on nutrition.
January 5, 2025
I like the premise and ingredients. There’s too much chit chat for a cookbook - recipes don’t start until page 95. Other cookbooks in this genre have similar recipes that are more visually appealing.
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