PETA sent me their new cookbook to review for you all and to do a fun giveaway!
My first thought was ‘Wow I wish I had something like this when I was in university!’ I was not into cooking in university so these 275 super easy recipes would probably have helped me out a lot.
What amazed me (and also scared me) was that none of the recipes in this cookbook require a stove. Nope, they all use the microwave. Seeing as I am no longer a university student, the microwave doesn’t really appeal to me anymore. But thinking back to those days I actually used the microwave a lot!
My favourite part of the cookbook is the beginning few chapters. You will find information about:
- Cliff notes for cooking
- Vegans- what can you eat?
- Stock your kitchen
- Vegan alternatives to meaty, eggy, and milky stuff
I looked through almost all of the recipes in this book and if I am to be 100% honest here I was a bit disappointed.
The reason? Well, almost all of the recipes in this book include some type of veggie processed food (like veggie sausage links, veggie ham, vegan cheese, vegan chicken strips, etc). While these types of veggie products can be a quick and easy way to get some extra protein, I don’t think they should be relied upon for all of one’s meals. It was hard for me to find a lunch or dinner recipe that didn’t include some type of fake meat.
And let’s be honest here, fake veggie meat isn’t exactly cheap is it?
What I would have loved to see instead is that PETA educated vegetarian and vegan readers about other food options save for those often expensive packaged goods. I didn’t find anywhere in the book a mention of alternatives such as protein and fibre packed lentils, beans, or other non-processed options. Perhaps this is because students don’t have much time to cook these products? I am sure that is part of it!
With this being said, the book has some really fun and quick recipes. This one really made me laugh.
Broke-Ass Cinnamon Roll
- 1 slice white bread
- vegan margarine, to taste
- Cinnamon, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
Cut the crust off the bread. Flatten the bread with a can or a rolling pin and spread it with the margarine. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll up like a burrito and microwave for 15 seconds.
Hey, they said the recipes were easy right? 
Rules of Entering
- Leave a comment below with your correct email address filled out
Details:
- Winner will be chosen on Wednesday May 13, 3009 at 9pm EST
- One entry per person
- Contest open to anyone anywhere in the world
- One copy up for grabs (the other one will be in my Shop 4 A Cause Auction)
I tried my green monster this morning with some nutritional yeast!
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 cup Almond Breeze
- 1/4 cup Grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ripe frozen banana
- 1 T flax
- 1 T raw almond butter
- 2 organic kale leaves
In just 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast this is a bit of what you will find:
- 60 kcals
- 3.9 grams fibre
- 8.34 grams protein
- 11 mg calcium
- 56 mg Niacin
- 9.6 mg B1
- 9.6 mg B2
- 9.6 mg B6
- 240 mcg folic acid
- 8 mcg B1
- 220.8 mcg Biotin
- 174 mg Phosphorus
- and more!
Wow , amazing isn’t it??
The taste? I didn’t really notice the nutritional yeast at all! I think this is a great way to get in some extra B vitamins. Make sure you are buying the kind that is fortified with B vitamins because I hear that not all kinds are.
Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie Sighting!
My raw chocolate chip cookies were spotted over at Whole Foods Whole Me. The wonderful Mi even calculated some nutritional information on them. Mmm, makes me want to whip up another batch!
Back to work I go! See you this afternoon. 
Have a wonderful Monday.
Today’s question: Are there any condiments that you really hate?
Me, I can’t stand relish! I also hate mayonnaise too. I never ate them as a child and so I never got used to them I guess!
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{ 103 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Angela! I’d love to win this cookbook. My email address is Darmstrng@gmail.com
That recipe made me laugh! I love nutritional yeast – good idea to add it to a GM.
i am dying to read this book! in my dorm i only use the toaster and microwave and my roommates laugh because i didn’t use the stove once haha. i love the idea of this book – it will spice up my no-bake routine
email: zeytoona@bc.edu
Where I come from it is common to actually have an YEAST SPREAD. As in, you put a smear of yeast on your bread. It does not look tempting!
This book is becoming so popular around the blogsphere, but I have also heard some negative comments!
Haha, I love the cinnamon roll recipe! Hilarious!
I would love to check out this book! I am in college but don’t live in a dorm or anything, and this would be great for those nights I don’t have much time to cook. Email-hisnherhealth@gmail.com
I’d be interested in winning too. I’m always looking for quick and easy recipes. soccerterp828 (at) gmail (dot)com
This would make a great gift now that high school graduations are fast approaching. Do they have the green momster in there?
I would love to win the cookbook! I was trying to read the edge of the watermelon salad that you had shown just a bit of in the photo. It looks yummy!
yum
qtlibrarian (at) hotmail dot com
Email: perfectedxfrailty@hotmail.com
The condiment I hate… RELISHHHHH eeeeeeeewwww
and nice green monster! I’m gonna make one for lunch ..got some artisana cocanut butter in the mail today..that is definitly goin in there!!!
Hi Angela!
I would love to win the cookbook.
I will have to try adding nutritional yeast to my green smoothies too. Great idea.
I’ve been eyeing up that cookbook myself!!
mallory_1226@yahoo
I’d be interested in winning i always like to try new recipies. senyum.pi@hotmail.com
good luck everybody
I would love that cookbook – the broke ass cinn rolls are right up my ally!
I don’t like mustard or mayo. Haven’t yet, but still planning on making those raw choco cookies.
I would love to try out this cookbook. Fast, easy vegan recipes? Sounds perfect for my always busy schedule.
i have a question for you……………..
which are your 10 favourite products for your personal care??
body lotion, body wash, face cleaner,shampoo, cologne..
thanks
I would say I really don’t like capers…I guess they arent a condi. but where I live their always on the side of food. Kinda gross. Oh and I’m making those cookies tonight! Whooohoo!
I saw that recipe book at the book store yesterday but on my student budget..too broke to buy it lol! Hopefully I win!
sleepdreamdress@yahoo.com
I’ll be keeping my eye out for some nutritional yeast!
I would like to enter to win the cookbook, and I can not stand horse radish!
Hmm, not sure about all of the fake/processed items, but it sounds like a fun read
Would love to try the cookbook! A lot of these would probably work great when you’re on vacation and only have the hotel microwave.
There seem to be a few vegan cookbooks out there that rely too much on fake meat products, and I find them disappointing too.
The only condiment I can’t stand is mayonnaise. I was never a fan of it growing up. I am vegan now, so I don’t eat mayo anyway, but I haven’t even tried Veganaise yet because the idea of it turns me off.
nutritional yeast is the best. And, I love that recipe for Mac and Cheese from Fat Free Vegan. Soooo good.
Hahaha I’m a vegan college student..perfect! And let me tell you, I’ve definitely made some variations on that broke-ass cinnamon roll.
I have been so interested in reading this cook book! Great give away
I don’t really care for any condiments. I don’t like the look or idea of relish and have never actually even tried it. I didn’t even try kethup until I was served fries during a hospital stay and needed something to perk them up.
I think I would agree with your opinion on the simplicity of the cookbook, but would love to read it for the first chapters you mentioned and little tidbits that could be picked up along the way.
I’m really interested in this cookbook!
And I hate mayo too
I am with you – I hate Mayo – bleh! I’d love to win the Peta Vegan Cookbook however
I posted a linkback on my morning post for fun even though you didn’t ask
The book looks great! Love how you made the green monster look so “monster” like in the pic!
~Justine
Everyone has been reviewing this book..and I’m kinda intrigued!
The books looks great!
I’ve invented another kind of green monster: blend 3-4 mint leaves, 2 basil leaves and some parsley in a cup of water, drain it into 3 cups of water, add the juice of half a lime and some agave nectar. Let cool for about one hour. Very refreshing, but of course not as filling as your green monster (maybe mine is the green baby?)
Sarah
I don’t like mayo either. yuck!
I’d bet this cookbook would be kid friendly as well! My kids would love to make broke tushy (no cursing for the kiddos!) cinnamon rolls!
I would LOVE this cookbook!! I need some easy recipes!
Not gonna lie, that Broke-Ass cinnamon roll sounds kinda good!
I’m a bit of a condiment queen but I have to agree with you on mayo- it kinda creeps me out.
email: crunchygranolagirl@gmail.com
I’d love to win a vegan university cookbook! Too bad about the fake meat thing. Why is it all about “replacing” the meat. I’ve been vegetarian for five years, and I honestly like legumes, tofu and tempeh way more than the fake meat….
As for condiments? The only one I actually like is ketchup.Although Whitespot has an amazing chipolte mayo that goes with their yam fries…. hmmm yam fries.
This recipe book is everywhere in the blog world right now!
highheelsandrunningshoes@yahoo.com
I have seen this book a lot on different blogs-looks interesting!
I wanted to try that book pretty bad. I’m going-to-be-college student this spring. Not vegan but vegetarian, but honestly, anything that has super quick microwave recipes gets a thumbs up from me because I usually have no time during the day to cook up a good meal on the stove. ;~;
I’d probably end up switching the processed faux-meats in the book with legumes and beans, though. I’m willing to cook atleast that much to save a little cash. XD
Condiments? Hrmmm. You know, I don’t think there is. Things like ranch, mayo, thousand island dressing.. I think those things are really tasty, but my mind is like “EWWW. Those things are disgusting!” because of the nutritional aspect. Thus I avoid them, but I’ll have a little on occasion. XD;;
I would like to win!
you should have limited the contest to only college kids so that my chances of winning were greater
great giveaway!
those are some amazing stats on nutritional yeast – sooo high in protein!
I had my first green monster today and I thought it was very tasty! I would love to win that cook book my email is andrea.spano0916@gmail.com
ha that book looks super cute! i’m a college student–i need it =)
I would love this cookbook because I think it’d help me expose my fiance to more tasty, vegetarian side dishes and entrees!
aerudolph@gmail.com
I’ve seen this book everywhere and really want to try it!
I love how this book is always givin in two’s so we can get one too!:)
I have been curious about this cookbook. I would love to try some of the recipes out. My least favorite condiment is mayonnaise. I think it is absolutely disgusting!
I would really enjoy this cookbook since I am an undergrad and need inexpensice, new ideas and recipes!!
mollyms_@hotmail.com
I might need to purchase some nutritional yeast and see for myself! Otherwise, I’ve seen this cookbook all around and would love to check it out:
healthyeverythingtarian@gmail.com
Thanks!
Ok, the cinnamon roll recipe was funny, but like you said, if you’re not a big fan of processed vegan foods, this can be hard for you to use. I actually prefer eating raw foods to the tofu patties, and found some pretty easy recipes on http://www.rawpeople.com/?utm_source=A&utm_medium=B&utm_campaign=C. I still think this would be a cute starter book, though.
Angela, you are so correct in your desire to avoid the fake meats made from soy protein isolate. Here is an excellent article describing how exactly we get the protein isolated to make the fake meats. Here is a hint: lots of chemicals, lots of steps.
http://www.mercola.com/article/soy/avoid_soy.htm
I am also not a fan of microwaving- it heats food from the inside out, by exciting water molecules within the food. Cooking in an oven or over flame is a natural process which heat from the outside in, evenly.
Nutritional yeast made me so happy when I was a die hard vegan!
This book looks interesting, and I’d love to win it. jenmp220@hotmail.com
I’ve been dying to get this book!
My e-mail is: sdearborn18@yahoo.com
wonderful giveaway!
I’ve been dying to get a copy of that wonderful book!
thank you for the giveaway. I would love to try vegan recipes
i really want to get that vegan book for myself and sister in college.
wonderful giveaway!
thank you so much angela
i heard so many great things about this book
it makes me kind of sad when recipes, restaurants, etc feel the need to include fake meat in their vegan recipes. its not necessary, i think its actually less accessible to non-vegs who are trying some veg food, and you are right, the stuff can be expensive. there are so many other natural ways to include some protein in a dish!
I’m a college student thinking about going vegan and/or trying to go raw. This seems like a good buy for me!
taysaunders@netscape.net
oh my gosh i would kill for this cookbook.. it would definitely be so helpful at school – dorm room living can be, meh, difficult.. thanks for the awesome giveaway girlie! here’s my email: peanutbutterandjenny12@yahoo.com
p.s. i just noticed to submit a comment on your blog it says “get glowing”.. you are too cute Angela!
Sadly enough, I am not sure there is a condiment I don’t like. The term condiment-whore may apply to me. I don’t do so well at places that have 9 million condiment choices. I ended up piling too much on to my plate and can barely taste what ever I ordered underneith the pile of mustard/ketchup/relish/pickles/BBQ/etc.
Happiness Awaits
I’m with you on relish – really anything with pickles. ew.
As a college student who uses the micro a good deal, I’d love to try out this book!
I love time saving, healthy recipes!
the book sounds fun to read, but as you and many others say, it defiitely seems to be directed to the uber-lazy vegan student with the lack of whole foods etc. BUT you only get to be a student once, and especially if you’re stuck in a grotty student house with good-for-nothing kitchen quality, this book must come in really handy!
Sounds like a fun cookbook! I’d love to try out a some of the recipes when I go off to college next year.
Great idea to use up that nutritional yeast! Another extremely healthy find!
i’d like to check this out, I think some times just getting recipe ideas helps me figure out good foods!
amandacbrooks at yahoo
I have seen this book on the internet and it does look interesting
watrmlon@gmail.com
i have heard a lot about this book! sign me up..
thanks for the info on the nuritional yeast. i actually saw some in the bulk bins the other day and was curious about trying it.
i’ve seen this cookbook all over the blogworld and since i’m going away to college in a few months i’ve been wanting this book so bad! i never win giveaways so i finally just bought it today lol. i know it’s gonna come in handy next year!
I am in college and would love to win this cookbook!
I’d love to win a copy, just to check it out!
Man, I wish I had that when I was in school too. I believe I lived on peanuts, pink wine, and vegetable broth! lonilady15@yahoo.com
that vegan macaroni looks so good! i actually just started using nutritional yeast a few months ago and i love it, but i never would have though of making something like that with it!
also i would love to see that cookbook! i’m a college vegetarian transitioning to vegan so that would be super helpful!
This cookbook is such a great prize! Thanks for the opportunity. My email address is frootloops_04@hotmail.com
I’m about to graduate, but there are still countless nights where I will need some quick ideas! Sounds like the right cookbook for some easy dinner and snacks:)
I’d love to have a copy!
haha I like that recipe too.
I would love to win this cookbook!! I am going to college next year and it would be a great help!! My email is: lexangio@optonline.net
i have been thinking about going vegan again for a while now, and flipping through this could be one of the kicks i need!
That book, as sad as it sounds, is exactly what I need! I am making an Amazon order TONIGHT! I read a few others reviews from bloggers [it seems Peta knows what they are doing ;] and some of the recipes could be altered easily to be healthy, but most off all? Require little utencils, clean up or time! And oh my gawsh, in our little apartment kitchen and on my school schedule – I need this book! haha, thanks for reviewing it!
And this is a little linksies for you: http://www.popsugar.com/3140919?page=0,0,1
Have a good night!
Would love this book!
yea for peta. earthybrit@yahoo.com who’s thinking of what to make for RAW WED, WITH JENNA?
OH I reallly want this book! Or the recipe for the raw chocochip cookies!
charlsie@nycap.rr.com
Ohhhh I want this too! Yeay for giveaways.
Would love to try out this cookbook. Btw I LOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEE YOUR BLOG!!!!
heather_spears05@yahoo.com
love that cinnamon roll recipe. i think i’ll try that! my email is lindsay.foodrun@gmail.com
Sounds like a great cookbook.
BTW I love your blog!
Sburg1985@gmail.com
Totally addicted to your site. I love how your recipes are vegan but you don’t preach.
I’m so excited to try out this cookbook! It looks really interesting.
I’m really interested in checking out this book. reddyrat@aol.com
This book looks really cool. Hope I win!!
usedgirl03@aol.com
I’d really love to win this, considering I am a college student who is trying to find new easy recipes!
leb9@unh.edu
I’d love to have this cookbook! I need to find ways to branch out from my usual diet.
This book looks cool. I know my husband would love it.
Sorry you were sort of disappointed — the good thing about recipes though is that they are just a starting point, then you can make your own adjustments.
Thanks for the contest, I’d like to try the book out
Hi Angela,
I would love to win the cookbook as I don’t know much about Vegan cooking in the first place and would love to learn more on this topic. I basically know that most salads and some tofu dishes qualify and if I want to eat vegetarian, I go to Chinese vegetarian restaurants in GTA but am not sure if they qualify as vegan.
I’m not a big condiment person. I usually eat my foods plain so that I can taste it (salad without dressing even). If I had to choose one that I don’t like I guess it would be Miracle Whip.
I’m a broke college student… therefore a book with recipes such as “Broke ass Cinnamon Roll” would just be so form-fitting wouldn’t it?
I would love to try this book.Awesome giveaway!
Sounds right up my ally