Living on Live Food
by Alissa Cohen
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Book Reviews of Living on Live Food
Book Review: Good for beginners
Summary: 3 Stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. This was the first raw food book I ever purchased and I'm glad for that. I found much of the information to be quite helpful when I was just starting out, although it could have been consolidated, as some of the chapters were only a few paragraphs in length. Although the book is very poorly edited and has a "just thrown together" feeling, which is a minor annoyance, there is a lot of valuable and helpful information there. However, it could have used more explanation in certain areas, as others here have said. The before and after pictures were a great testament to raw and living food, but it would have been nice to see before and after pictures of people other than her mother, sister, and her friends/clients.
As far as recipes go, overall, I wasn't that impressed. While there were a few recipes that became staples in my everyday diet, others can only be described as the most revolting thing I have ever put in my mouth and, regretfully, I had to throw them away. I would suggest cutting some of the recipes in half or quartering them to avoid throwing away massive amounts of food, at least when you're first starting out and discovering what your tastes are. It also seemed like half of the recipes weren't hers, which seems odd because she's regarded as a "raw food chef." And lack of explanation REALLY came into play here. I tried the dehydrated recipe for raw burger buns - followed the recipe to a "t", used the proper equipment, and tasted a small piece before the dehydrating time was up - it had fermented during that time and was inedible. Umm, why was there no warning for this and any further explanation for what adjustments could be made to solve that problem? I know for a fact that I wasn't the only person to experience this, and the thought of so many people being disappointed, and wasting their time and money because they have to throw food away is discouraging.
On the whole, helpful, but by no means the only raw food book serious raw fooders should have on their shelf.
Book Review: Raw, Delicious, and Easy
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had Alissa Cohen's "Living on Life Food" for about a year and a half now. I would have to say that, for most people, all of the recipes won't deserve 5 stars. But there are enough out-of-this world recipes to make it worth every penny. I'm not sure why Amazon doesn't sell this book. But it is available from individual sellers or Alissa's website.
The first portion of this book is devoted to teaching the reader about raw food--the whys and hows of it (including the all-important "sprouting"). There are also a bunch of journals from individuals who have gone on the diet.
But the best portion of the book are the recipes themselves. For starters, if you have a food processor but not a dehydrator, I recommend trying the mock salmon pate. But, if you want to really use this book you will have to have a dehydrator. At that point, for beginners, I especially suggest the sea wafers, flaxseed crackers, angel hair pasta and marinara (you will need a saladacco, but they are TONS of fun, and the one appliance used for raw food "cooking" that won't cost a fortune...), the raw figs, and the raw cannolis. The batter for the "wrapper" to the raw figs and cannolis is out of this world. Very sweet and creamy, almost like a desert. I think you could use it for a decandent frosting too.
You may have to adapt to the potent tastes of these foods--the flavors are very loud and surprising for one who is used to cooking (which, in addition to flavor, also causes the food to lose important nutrients). But it is very worth it. After several weeks on this food, it can make your skin softer, and your hair and nails sturdier. After a bit longer it can energize you too, and in general makes you feel better than when eating cooked food (especially if that cooked food is high in salt and preservatives).
Book Review: High Quality and Great Value for the Money
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book. In fact, I have two copies. The book has a genuine, cozy feel to is -- like it is written just for you. I only wish that there were more of the beautiful, color pictures.
Money is not wasted on this item -- nor on the CDs.
I love the fact that Alissa has used her passion to improve the lives of others. When you see all of the fad diets and garbage that is out there and read her book / philosphy -- she is not trying to make money off of people by offering quick fixes...
Alissa's book is about empowering yourself to live your best life. She inspires personal accountability -- using the basics. Sure -- there are a lot of fancy extras that you could buy (and that I personally find cool) -- but, as she says time and time again in her book, you don't need go out and spend lots of money to live this life -- she enourages the "less is more" attitude...She wants you to be happy -- in all areas of your life...
I mean --- come on -- it's "raw food". How complicated is that?
Her website (which is CHOCK full of great info from recipes to personal affirmations) is free and ROCKS! My next trip to Boston can't come soon enough to check out she and Dennis's new restaurant -- Grezzo!!!
Book Review: Its okay, but there are much better titles out there..
Summary: 2 Stars
I was excited about this book when my friends told me about the living food lifestyle. I thankfully checked it out at my local library before buying it. At a price of about $30 on eBay or here, I wouldn't waste the money. She constantly repeats herself and goes on and on about her friends and how great they feel.. which is great to hear, but I just wanted to get right into how and what I needed to do in order to get started. While she does explain that side of it (briefly), she doesn't go into too much detail about the actual changes you will be going through.. she just says that you'll feel different, act different, look different.. but how?.. when?.. what's the side effects she refers to?
Very vague, which is really surprising as this book weighs nearly 4 pounds and is so long. Half of the book is recipes (which are awesome, but taken from other's books, not her new and personal creations). The other half is her idea of 'chapters' (about a paragraph long each) that just throw the same little tidbits about how she thinks this is a best choice and positive move.. but again, why? She doesn't EXPLAIN anything, which I found really frustrating.
*sigh*.. onto another book.. so glad I didn't waste my money.
Book Review: Very creative, great food
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend recomended this book to me when I told her I was thinking about trying out being a raw foodist. It has exceeded my expectations. I actually loved reading the book and Love almost all of the recipes. I have made several and only found one so far that does not suit my taste buds. The author explains everyting in a very easy to read form for the inexperienced raw foodist. I found everypage to be extremely helpful. I did notice that I did not lose as much weight as all of the other people in the book had on the first week, but than again I only have about 15 pounds that I want to lose total anyway, and although that is not the reason I started doing this I have noticed my body weight dropping gradually which is better for your body anyway. I highly recomend this book to anyone that is just starting out on this venture. Alissa explains everything you need to know from begining to end and the recipes are so yummy and easy to make. I did have to go buy a food processor, but I still do not have a dehydrator or even a juicer. But I highly recomend getting a food processor, cuts down your time drastically!!!