Book Review

Living on Live Food
by Alissa Cohen
Review by Laura Bruno

Even though Alissa Cohen’s Living on Live Food contains over 250 pages of recipes, this is no mere cookbook. None of these recipes even requires “cooking.” Living on Live Food is a beautiful, glossy, inch-and-a-half thick, raw vegan how-to manual—liberally sprinkled with inspirational quotes, testimonials and full color photographs. The book seems as vibrantly alive as the enzyme-rich “living food” it promotes.

Alissa divides her book into two parts, “Book” and “Recipes.” The recipes range from easy salads and smoothies to “crackers,” “pizza” and “breads” that may need several days of sprouting and then 8-24 hours in a food dehydrator. The “Banana Bread,” though not the same texture or flavor of its namesake, tasted warm and satisfying out of the dehydrator. I served slightly warmed “Curried Yam Bisque” as part of a Christmas feast, and no one could believe this decadent soup was also “raw” and “vegan.” Mixed with romaine and tomatoes, “Almost Tuna” tastes like tuna salad, with fresh sprouts instead of fish for protein. I especially enjoy Alissa’s selection of juice recipes. She focuses not only on great flavor combinations, but also on juicing for specific results (like more energy or clearer skin).

Unlike most people, I crave neither cheese nor sweets; I’ll choose bok choy over cheesecake any day. Since Alissa recommends following the body’s natural urges, I have therefore failed to sample many of her most popular achievements: authentic tasting “cheeses”, “cakes” and “cookies.” Testimonials in her book, as well as online, proclaim how the desserts and cheeses helped lifelong omnivores leave cooked junk food behind. Most people cannot believe the weight loss and health gains they experience while dining on raw versions of old favorites.

Alissa includes dramatic “before and after photos” of herself and fifteen contributors, letting us see changes we might not otherwise believe. The “Book” section clearly aims to convince readers that a 100% raw vegan diet works miracles. Alissa provides nutritional and detoxification information, descriptions of all major “raw food appliances,” and a comprehensive list of organic and raw food “Resources.” If you still can’t figure out a blender, dehydrator or all those exotic fruits, you can watch two DVD’s filmed like a private food preparation class. Whether you decide to take Alissa’s 30-day 100% Raw Challenge, feel curious about a raw food lifestyle, or just want some healthy vegan recipe ideas, Living on Live Food will wet your appetite for boundless energy and radiant health.

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