Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Love love love this book! I also purchased Dr. McDougall's earlier book "The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss" & recommend both. This book has been life-changing & I've only been implementing this vegan way of eating (WOE) for 4 days. I was a vegetarian for a decade about 15 years ago & loved running marathons at that time. Since then I've experimented with everything from low carb to very low carb--from paleo to keto to intermittent fasting & honestly my body lost its resiliency for running. I missed running (the runner's high is no myth)--it is so calming & energizing simultaneously. But I really believed that carbs were the bad guys & chalked my running challenges up to needing more "strength" etc. Well guess what? Since implementing McDougall's WOE, running is back in the picture & my enjoyment, ease, passion & split times are better & better. Running is like a dear friend that I'm able to welcome back into my life. Plus my "weight/eating issues/stresses/concerns" have vanished, I'm not hungry, I feel great, I'm less bloated, more free & soooo happy not to eat animals (or animal products). I cried this morning because this is a magic wand for me--a best case scenario all around. I love whole plant-based foods--veggies of all kinds, quinoa, lentils, buckwheat, oat groats, millet, amaranth, pintos, the list goes on & on. Rice cookers make preparing meals a delicious no-brainer (I highly recommend getting at least one or two--mine are from amazon & used daily). Based on how I feel, my athletic performance, mood, appetite satiation, outlook, energy, happiness quotient, inspiration, inner calm, etc. etc., I suspect that this is a long-term "Yes please!" For those of you who aren't sure you find this WOE doable/palateable--take heart! McDougall addresses this. From the Maximum Weight Loss book, I quote, "You must take into consideration 3 important factors that will support you once you begin: 1.) how good you will feel; 2.) how the nutritional balance of the diet supports your sticking with it; & 3.) how easily you will lose weight." Give it at least 10 days. Check out the success stories on his website--you may see many aspects of yourself, as I did. As a reviewer of Maximum Weight Loss said, "You never have to be fat or hungry again." What a relief that the WOE that feels best in my heart & to my spirit also feels best to my mind & body. Win-win-win-win! I also recommend the documentary "Forks over Knives" (great starting place) & also ordered Esselstyn's "Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease" & Campbell's "The Campbell Plan the Simple Way to Lose Weight & Reverse Illness." Both are due to arrive today. Thank you McDougall & wishing all of you the best on your chosen path! 2-week Update: It's been over two weeks & I have nothing but good things to report. I'm sleeping better, sated, energized, I feel cleaner, kinder & happier. Plus I'm more adventurous & confident. I'm sold! Food is my friend & I love eating in the way that teachers of non-violence have practiced throughout the ages. I feel congruent, fueled & thankful. I still recommend getting a rice cooker. I use mine for pulses/grains (my current favorite is an equal mix of green lentils, red lentils, oat groats & quinoa) with a tray of steamed veggies on top (e.g. kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts). Delish! Also canned organic pumpkin is a great convenience to have on hand (especially if, like me, you tend to be sensitive to night-shades (such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers)). Find what works for you & go with it--your body will thank you profusely! 3-week Update: Even though I thought I was sensitive to nightshades (which includes potatoes), I'm not so sure. I decided to try an experiment (b/c I love experiments). I'm currently eating only potatoes & vegetables. The experiment is going so well (in terms of optimal performance, energy, mood, satiety, etc.) that I've decided to continue it. I'm simultaneously experimenting with a new strength training program which is going awesome. I look forward to every workout (I tend to love exercise--now more than ever.) One day, when I'm patient enough, I'd like to start sprouting legumes & grains again (as one of my next experiments). I'm having so much fun with this WOE! Thanks again & again Dr. McDougall. 4-week Update: Although this review is getting long, I'll update about the potato experiment. The good news is, my system seems to love potatoes (nightshades or no). I've had excellent energy, sleep, mood, satiation, but my digestion seems to prefer more variety. My favorite way to eat potatoes is to slice & bake them for 90 min. at 350 degrees (the skin is chewy-crispy & so delicious with nothing added) or in cabbage-potato(-yam if available) soup. What I'm noticing--steady abundant energy, good sleep (especially ability to fall back asleep if awakened), resilient mood, new ideas/inspirations easily implemented, optimism, enjoyment of food, satiation, less anxiety, more patience (with myself & others) & confidence. It surprises me that I didn't realize the beauty of this vegan WFPB WOE sooner. I echo what others have said that this is very simple to do, as long as you prepare ahead. Keep things you know you like on hand & have cooking tools that work for you. Another aspect of this WOE I'm curious about is how it will positively impact my body composition. I'm in my mid-40's, about 17-18% body fat & about 20-21 BMI. I'm generally very healthy. I'd love to be a bit leaner for running & sports. (That said, feeling good & being balanced are bigger priorities). I've been experimenting with a new kind of strength training (Callanetics & SuperCallanetics) for the last few weeks as I recover from a sprained ankle. Between Callanetics & McDougaling I feel like the sky's the limit. A very very good feeling. I mention the body composition thing b/c I'm being especially careful/disciplined with how I eat (SOS-free (salt-oil-sugar-free if you're new to this term), no fruit, no processed foods, etc.). The awesome thing about this WOE is how it's infinitely tailor-able & adaptable while at the same time having a clear grounded basis. The thought of eating animal products & fats now turns my stomach. For years I misunderstood the "necessity" of a high protein/very low carb/paleo/keto WOE. It's a relief to return to my roots. All is well. No doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. I now know better how to take care of my body-mind as well as how to live in harmony & congruence with life & the planet. I'm learning more every day. McDougall's work (as well as that of Esselstyn, Campbell & other visionaries in this field) is a gift & a treasure. I'm considering (eventually) experimenting with a vegan diet for my dogs. They love pumpkin, yams, broccoli, carrots... I understand that dogs can thrive on this WOE. Thanks again Dr. McDougall & all other pioneers willing to blaze new paths with ancient wisdom :-). Best to all! 8-month update: I LOVE this WOE more & more everyday & would be remiss if I didn't share the discovery of the Instant Pot (available here on amazon) about 6 months ago. How does this WOE get *even* better? Check out the Instant Pot & find out. We now have 3 in our household, & they're well-used & well appreciated on a daily basis. It's essentially the only cooking apparatus I use. It cooks quickly, doesn't need to be monitored (has a timer & automatic shut off), & something about the pressure cooking infuses food with ideal flavor & texture. I continue to be delighted as ever more ways to make this WOE even more simple, easy, delicious, nourishing & beneficial are revealed. It's the opposite of feeling deprived--it's incredibly fun & liberating & allows more joy is all areas of life. If you're compelled by "sattvic" eating (light & nutritious--& satisfying to boot), you'll likely feel sincere gratitude for the Instant Pot too. Kitchari's my latest favorite (super simple--my version is short grain brown rice with mung beans & veggies sometimes oat groats, buckwheat, quinoa, blackeyed peas, lentils). The Instant Pot cooks everything to perfection--better than any restaurant I've been to :-). I feel so blessed in every way every day. Awareness, patience & love are fed by this WOE. Oh, one more note: Dr. Greger rocks! Check out his website & new book. His perspective is incredibly valuable, entertaining & sweet. My menu contains a hybrid of McDougall & Greger wisdom augmented with a few other favorites for well-being (like kala msm, magnesium, optizinc, ginger, fennel, peppermint...& off topic--I also love applying essential oils topically & recently discovered a natural vegan progesterone cream which seems to be a boon for me & many other women... I digress. However the point is that this WOE allows you to listen to your body with ever more subtle awareness.) Simplifying my WOE has allowed me to recognize the variables in my daily routine that really make a slam-dunk positive difference. Best to you on your chosen path! Be who you are, do your best & know it's unfolding perfectly. Body composition update: Weight, body fat% & BMI are all going down of their own accord--which is a bonus. Most importantly, I feel healthier & happier than ever. My relationship with food is much more pleasant. I enjoy athletic endeavors, yoga/bodywork/somatics/embodied movement & meditation more than ever. This WOE pairs beautifully with non-duality/Self-awareness/Advaita/Samyama/stillness-in-action/cleansing the inner windows of perception. Looking forward to seeing what continues to unfold... Enjoy! 21-month update (just shy of 2 years)--I remain thrilled & delighted with this WFPB vegan WOE. The instant pot is indispensable. I use it daily, sometimes multiple times. 2 happy discoveries to offer: 1.) Pintos, garbanzo beans, oat groats, millet, short-grain brown rice (i.e., any legumes/pulse with longer cook times) are delicious when cooked *2 hours* in the instant pot (with current favorites: cumin seeds & pepper) with a 4:1 water:grain/legume ratio. This is a personal preference yields an awesome, smooth, very tender, end product. 2.) Harmony House Foods offers delicious Earth-friendly dehydrated vegetables. I'm crazy for their cabbage (I often don't cook the cabbage rather simply rehydrate it like cole slaw with some added apple cider vinegar & spices as desired). Their broccoli, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, etc. etc. cook up beautifully in the instant pot. Check out their website. Best wishes to all! p.s. Every day in every way I feel better & better. :-) Sincere gratitude & best wishes!