Bonus Book Review - 10th Anniversary Edition of "Unprocessed" by Chef AJ and Glen Merzer

Gary: Hello, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of "Healthy Vegan Living"! I'm Gary, your host, and passionate vegan chef. With me is the delightful Samantha, our co-host and resident humorist. How are you doing today, Samantha?

Samantha: I'm doing fantastic, Gary! Just had a big bowl of kale for breakfast, so I'm ready to go! How about you?

Gary: Feeling great, Samantha! Today, we're celebrating a special milestone in the vegan community. We're talking about the 10th Anniversary Edition of "Unprocessed" by Chef AJ and Glen Merzer. It's a fantastic book that emphasizes the importance of whole foods in our diet.

Samantha: Absolutely! And can I just say that Chef AJ is a legend? She’s like the Beyoncé of the vegan world—except her dance moves are more like chopping vegetables.

Gary: So true! For those who haven't read the book yet, "Unprocessed" is all about rejuvenating your health with whole foods. Chef AJ shares her personal journey and provides many delicious, unprocessed recipes. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to improve their diet.

Samantha: And let's not forget Glen Merzer! He's like the Yoda of plant-based nutrition. Wise, insightful, and probably capable of making a killer hummus.

Gary: Yes, Glen definitely brings a wealth of knowledge to the book. The 10th Anniversary Edition also includes updates and new recipes, which is exciting. One of my favorites is the "Hail to the Kale Salad." It’s a crunchy, tangy masterpiece.

Samantha: You and your kale, Gary. If Kale had a fan club, you'd be the president!

Gary: Guilty as charged! But seriously, Samantha, what's your favorite recipe from the book?

Samantha: Oh, that’s a tough one. I’d have to go with the "Sweet Potato Nachos." It’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet, and it’s so easy to make. Plus, it's a great dish to bring to parties and watch the carnivores' jaws drop when they realize it's vegan.

Gary: That's a good one! The book also dives deep into the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet. Chef AJ talks about her personal health transformation and how cutting out processed foods changed her life.

Samantha: It’s inspiring. I mean, if she can give up junk food and find joy in broccoli, there’s hope for all of us!

Gary: Exactly. And the best part is, the recipes are simple and accessible. You don't have to be a gourmet chef to enjoy healthy, delicious vegan meals.

Samantha: It does help if you know the difference between a zucchini and a cucumber. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.

Gary: Oh, Samantha! Before we wrap up, let's share one quick recipe from the book to give our listeners a taste of what they can expect. How about the "Banana Strawberry Ice Cream"? 

Samantha: Yes! Perfect for summer. All you need are frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, and a blender. Blend them together until smooth, and voila! You've got a delicious, creamy treat that’s completely guilt-free.

Gary: Simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious. Just like everything in "Unprocessed." Well, that’s all the time we have for today. Thank you for joining us on "Healthy Vegan Living." Be sure to grab your copy of "Unprocessed" by Chef AJ and Glen Merzer and start your journey to a healthier, happier you.

Samantha: Remember, if Gary can survive without cheese, so can you! See you next time, folks!

Gary:  Until next time, stay healthy and keep it vegan!

Samantha:  And keep laughing!

Unprocessed 10th Anniversary Edition: Revitalize Your Health with Whole Foods Paperback – March 6, 2022, by Chef AJ, with Glen Merzer

This revision celebrates the versatility and health benefits of whole plant foods. The original book inspired thousands to adopt a healthier diet, and this updated edition appeals to anyone looking to eat healthier. It embraces the adage "let thy food be thy medicine." Chef AJ shares her wellness journey and highlights the healing power of whole plant foods. The authors differentiate between processed and whole plant foods, explain the benefits of fiber-rich over calorie-dense foods, and offer suggestions for replacing salt, oil, and sugar (SOS). With over 135 new SOS and gluten-free recipes, Chef AJ combines nutrient-rich ingredients into delicious dishes, providing nourishing and satisfying choices for anyone seeking to feel their best.

About the Author:

Chef AJ is the host of the daily YouTube show Chef AJ Live! And is a chef, culinary instructor, speaker, and author. She created the Ultimate Weight Loss Program, which has helped hundreds achieve a healthy weight and is certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University.

Glen Merzer has long advocated plant-based diets for health. He is the author of Own Your Health! and Food is Climate, coauthor with Howard Lyman of Mad Cowboy and No More Bull, and coauthor with Chef AJ of the first edition of Unprocessed and The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss.

Glen Merzer, a longtime advocate of plant-based diets, is the author of “Own Your Health!” and “Food is Climate.” He coauthored “Mad Cowboy” and “No More Bull” with Howard Lyman and collaborated with Chef AJ on the first editions of “Unprocessed” and “The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss.”

Product details

Publisher: ‎ Book Publishing Company (TN); 2nd edition (March 6, 2022)

Language: ‎ English

Paperback: ‎ 196 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1570674086

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1570674082 

Multiple Amazon Reviews: I love this book! It's easy to use, and Chef AJ is amazing. Her YouTube podcast contains excellent information, and all her recipes are great. This cookbook is a keeper with straightforward, simple recipes and great pictures. The directions are easy to follow.

The dessert recipes don't use sugar; instead, they substitute dates, date syrup, or date paste. Other recipes avoid oil and salt. There are many good recipes featuring fresh food combinations, but I was hoping for more healthy bread and baked goods. As a UK resident, I'd appreciate metric measurements alongside imperial in the next edition.

Most recipes are tasty and offer options to lower fat content, along with other helpful tips. For ease of use, a ring-bound edition would be better than a standard one. More recipe photos, instead of stock photos of onions, dates, peas, etc., would be appreciated. While photos are costly, the publisher should prioritize recipe photos over stock images.

The recipes require many ingredients, which can feel complicated. There are not enough main meal ideas, but the desserts and salads are great. I was looking for healthy recipes after my cancer diagnosis, and this book fits that need. However, you may need to buy ingredients that aren't commonly found in your pantry.

The book's quality is lacking. It's mostly a list of ingredients with minimal directions, often just saying, "Throw in a blender and serve." This book was a disappointment. Every recipe is full of nuts, dried fruit, and fat. Despite Chef AJ's claims of retooling the recipes to be lower fat, they don't align with her diet recommendations. Save your money.

My Opinion: The book contains excellent information, ideas, explanations, and suggestions without long, drawn-out explanations. Very well done! As a vegan, I found the beginning of this book very informative. Chef AJ shows how to cook and make excellent unprocessed food that tastes delicious. If you want to be healthier on a plant-based diet, this is an excellent start and a great way to continue your journey.

I enjoyed reading about Chef AJ's story and her recipes. The book has nice photos, and the recipes are easy to read, simple, and fun. The photos are beautiful, and the Chef's Notes are helpful and inspiring. The publisher did a quality job—quality paper, easy and fun to read. If you are struggling to lose weight and regain your health, do not hesitate to buy this book. Its message and recipes are fantastic.

I appreciate how simple and tasty the recipes are to prepare with ingredients that I already have in my kitchen. No animal products are needed, which is a win for the animals. The format of numbering the steps/instructions makes it easier on the eyes. I tend to scan things, and by numbering all the steps, I'm less likely to skip one accidentally.

I made Chef AJ's Melanzana Abbondanza, an essentially disappearing lasagna with eggplant rather than noodles, and it was fantastic. Another favorite is the hearty lentil loaf, which is delicious. I absolutely love that there are many recipes with higher-fat versions to please those who don’t have to worry as much about weight and replacements for those fats for those of us who are still on our weight loss journey. One of the best burgers is the Smoky Sweet Potato Burger—delicious and easy to make. Chef AJ knows how to show a low-calorie density way of eating to lose weight.

Tune in to our next episode, 69. Vegan Nutritional Needs

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