Actress and activist Alicia Silverstone makes a case for the vegan lifestyle in her new book, The Kind Diet. Her enthusiasm shines from every page as she exposes the known negatives of the modern meat and dairy factory farming industries and the damage they do to the environment and our health. One would expect a vegan author to include such information in support of her cause and she does so intelligently, if a bit naively as even she admits, choosing to focus on the benefits to personal health and well-being.

The first half of the book is full of information that skillfully addresses the concerns individuals might have when considering a plant-based diet. Silverstone writes in a casual, conversational style that and includes stories and experiences that give the book a personal touch. The Kind Diet is likely to appeal to a younger audience not only because of the author’s fan base but because of her use of the term “nasty” to describe non-plant based foods may come across as juvenile to older readers. Nevertheless, the resources in this book such as the suggestions for vegan substitutions for common foods (butter, milk, “meaty” foods, etc) and example menu plans will be helpful to individuals just starting out on the vegetarian or vegan path. Ultimately she is promoting a macrobiotic diet (described as the diet of “Superheroes”) and speaks at length of the wide ranging health benefits she has experienced from focusing on a diet that emphasizes brown rice, miso and sea vegetables. Recognizing that macrobiotics may not appeal to everyone at first glance, Silverstone encourages readers to begin with small changes, to listen to their body, and be kind to themselves.

The second half of the book is a collection of original and borrowed vegan and macrobiotic recipes that range from delightfully simple (“Quick Date-Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal”) to more sophisticated fare (“Pecan-Crusted Seitan”) that could compete with any dish at a dinner party. The recipe pages, with plenty of room for notes and ideas, seem to encourage readers to really dig in and cover them with the splatters and stains accumulated in all well-used favorite cookbooks.

The Kind Diet would make a nice gift for a young person who has already gone, or shown an interest in, going meat- and/or dairy-free. Step-by-Step guidelines are included, as are profiles of successful vegans. Silverstone has also created a website The Kind Life to support individuals as they make lifestyle changes and choices that are more kind to the environment.

TMC blogs about identity, culture, language, consumerism, What’s Natural, & Doing What’s Right, through a Tibetan Buddhist lens and with a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm over at Return to Rural.