Friday, September 6, 2013

The China Study Cookbook (giveaway - CLOSED)


As a self-professed cookbook addict, I was thrilled when BenBella Books sent me a copy of "The China Study Cookbook" recently. This book is right up my alley - it contains over 120 whole food, plant-based recipes, giving me lots of new, healthy options for my family.

"The China Study Cookbook" was written by LeAnne Campbell, PhD, the daughter of T. Colin Campbell, coauthor of "The China Study." "The China Study" is one of the most important health and nutrition books ever published - it reveals that the traditional Western diet has led to a modern health crisis. The solution? A plant-based, whole foods diet. Dr. Campbell is also featured in the documentary "Forks Over Knives." See my Earth Day post for more on that.



Converting to a completely plant-based diet likely seems overwhelming to many people. "The China Study Cookbook" can help. It gives us a valuable look at what types of meals the Campbell family has relied on over the years. And the recipes are just the kind of recipes that I prefer, because they are based on simple ingredients such as fruits, grains, legumes, vegetables and nuts. There are very few items in the ingredients lists that are fancy or expensive, with the exception of Sucanat to replace regular sugar and some pantry staples like tahini.


I was immediately drawn to the recipe for "Nutty Noodles with Vegetables." The results are pictured above. This recipe (which is shared below) calls for pasta and lots of veggies, with the addition of a quick homemade peanut butter sauce. I have been "cheating" a bit on my prep work lately, with the help of a jar of minced organic garlic and a tube of ginger. This recipe is easy and delicious. I would make it again...and again.

Of course, I am always drawn to the desserts chapter of any cookbook. I love oatmeal cookies, so I decided to make "Coconut Oatmeal Cookies" (pictured up above). While a plant-based, whole foods diet is certainly not a stretch for me, the recipes in "The China Study Cookbook" are free of added fats and oils. I am a rather liberal user of olive oil and vegan margarine ordinarily, so the recipes require an adjustment in my habits.

The oatmeal cookies contain no oil or margarine and call for Sucanat in place of sugar. I found them a bit on the "healthy" side for me. I guess I have to work on altering my taste buds. Strangely enough, my nieces (who are rather drawn to sugar like most of the kids I know) loved these cookies!


For our back-to-school family sushi party, I made this "Chocolate Banana Pie" for dessert. It looks impressive, but it's very simple to prepare. The crust gets lined with banana slices, so there is a pleasant banana taste in each chocolatey bite. I really liked this one.

I am also looking forward to making "Pumpkin Gnocchi with Italian Vegetable Sauce" and "Masala's Chickpeas," among many other recipes.

Here's the recipe for "Nutty Noodles with Vegetables." Try it and let me know how it goes. And be sure to read on past the recipe to enter to win your own copy of "The China Study Cookbook."

Nutty Noodles with Vegetables


by Leanne Campbell, PHD
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Keywords: entree vegan vegetarian
Ingredients (4 servings)
  • 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti or other pasta, cooked
  • ¼ cup vegetable broth
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • ½ red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • ½ green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
  • 2 cups chopped broccoli
  • 1 large carrot, cut in thin strips
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup natural peanut butter
  • ¼ cup light tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, unseasoned
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons agave
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • ¼ cup crushed peanuts
  • Sea salt to taste
Instructions

Cook 1 pound pasta and set aside.

In a large skillet, add ¼ cup vegetable broth, onions, peppers, broccoli, and carrot.

Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are slightly cooked.

Stir in pasta, basil, and sesame seeds. Set aside.

In separate saucepan, add peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and agave. 

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth.

Pour over noodles.

Garnish with green onions and peanuts. Season with salt.

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Win a copy of The China Study Cookbook!


BenBella Books is giving one Woman in Real Life reader a copy of "The China Study Cookbook." Residents of the US and Canada may enter using the rafflecopter below until September 19th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking to Contest Canada

52 comments:

  1. I like lots of different fruit and vegetables - bananas, mushrooms, peas

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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  2. Fruit and veggies for me too......Bananas, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, etc.etc.etc., broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, etc. etc.etc.

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  3. my fav healthy whole food is any kind of green smoothie - I'm also a big fan of a quinoa chilli!

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  4. I like any and all fruit and vegetables.

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  5. The Nutty Noodles with Vegetables looks soooooo great ,delicious <3

    Happy Weekend :)

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  6. My fav is fresh fruits and veggies

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  7. My favourite whole foods are berries, especially blackberries and strawberries!!

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  8. My favourite healthy whole food is avocado. So full of fibre and healthy fat!!

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  9. At our house we make a plate every morning of cut fruits, berries and nuts to snack on all day <3

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  10. I love most veggies, especially red onions, kale and mushrooms.

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  11. My favorite whole food is farro. I would eat it every day if it wasn't so expensive! Thanks for the chance to win this book. I would love to have a copy!

    gaia (at) cinci (dot) rr (dot) com

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  12. I love making my own nut butters. Nuts, my ancient Cuisinart, a spatula, and glass jars are all that I need!

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  13. I love broccoli and spinach - funny I never did as a kid but as a grown up I like it.

    And the kids like it too amazingly!

    SueSueper

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  14. I love sweet potatoes!

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  15. No way could I narrow it down to just one, I love all kinds of fruits and veggies. One of my favorite meals is a huge salad with all kinds of chopped veggies, baby greens, sliced apples, beets, beans and a balsamic cashew dressing!

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  16. favs are kale and green beans
    jan

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  17. love pulses, nuts, veggies, fruits. love 'em all. thanks

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  18. I love brown rice with black beans and fresh salsa!

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  19. I love fruits and veggies with hummus :)

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  20. My favorite whole foods are strawberries and kiwis. Seriously, they are like candy! Thanks for this chance to win a really healthy cookbook. :)

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  21. I love edamame...as a snack, in salads and stir fry, and kind of bean dish. They're superhealthy and superyumful!

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  22. I love bananas :) I could eat many of them a day!

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  23. Fruit is my all time favourite whole food, Ive loved it all my life and eat quit a bit of it each day! :) This cook book looks awesome!

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  24. I have really wanted this book!

    I don't know if I have a favorite whole food. We eat such a variety of delicious fruits and veggies, I can't imagine just picking one. :)

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  25. My favourite whole food is......watermelon..then red peppers.

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  26. I love adding beans to soups, stews, chili recipes.

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  27. Avocado will always be at the top of my favorite whole food list.

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  28. I am vegetarian, so I like all vegetables. But my favourite is cauliflower.

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  29. Fruit (including blueberries, cherries, watermelon,etc.)

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  30. I love cucumbers, tomatoes and fresh homemade salsa.
    angela mitchell

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  31. I like to roast sweet potatoes and stuff them with beans and homemade hummus!

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  32. I love nuts and the "Nutty Noodles with Vegetables" with peanut butter sauce looks delicious!

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  33. i love cooking all types of foods, would love some new recipes

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  34. fruits and vegetables

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  35. broccoli, spinach, carrots, blueberries and strawberries

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  36. Avocado is my favorite food in the whole world!

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