Sunday, December 07, 2008

Go Dairy Free

Sounds simple enough, right? But for most of us, dairy is the most challenging food to eliminate from our diet. Even if we are suffering from health issues related to dairy consumption, such as eczema.
Well, Alisa Fleming of godairyfree.org has just released her cookbook Go Dairy Free, and just in time for you to enjoy great non-dairy foods for the holidays.
I mention the health issue of eczema because I know of people that have had eczema disappear after removing dairy from their diets... and then I cannot tell you how many people I talk to in my life as a mom that are aware that dairy is probably connected to health issues that they - or their children - are enduring, but they find themselves staying on a traditional diet. Why? Probably because the idea of eliminating dairy is intimidating, confusing, and even alienating.

Alisa leads us into a dairy-free world in Go Dairy Free. The book opens with her own story about her allergy to dairy which was diagnosed as an infant but dismissed by health professionals as something she would "grow out of". She grew into adulthood wondering the cause of many, and very serious, health issues to finally discover that the root of all her health troubles was that drink that supposedly 'does a body good'. This cookbook is designed for those needing to know everything they can about eliminating dairy from their diets. Chapters follow to provide answers to all your dairy-related questions, including specifics about milk allergies and lactose intolerance, health conditions related to dairy consumption, dining out, grocery shopping and food labeling (and where dairy can be 'hidden'), and comprehensive sections with commercial and recipe substitutions for milk, butter, and cheese.

Go Dairy Free then moves into what we all love - food! Alisa has compiled a collection of recipes from her own kitchen, as well as from cookbook and blog authors. You'll find two of my recipes in the book, but with over 225 recipes to enjoy, you'll also find creations from Bryanna Clark Grogan, Jennifer McCann, Hannah Kaminsky, Joanne Stepaniak, Beverley Lynn Bennett, Robin Robertson, and bloggers including Celine of Have Cake Will Travel and Susan of FatFreeVegan.
Since this is a vegan blog, I must mention that there are two recipes (I think) that are not purely vegan. These two include eggs, and in these recipes Alisa offers suggestions for two similar, vegan alternate recipes. The remaining 223 or so recipes are vegan or have vegan options (ex: agave nectar for honey), as Alisa has collaborated with the vegan cooking world in creating this cookbook.

I've come to know Alisa through my work as a vegan author. She is a lovely person and she has created a very useful resource. I simply wanted to share the word with you and give this dear lady a shout-out and a little extra support for her hard work. In time for the holidays... more importantly, in time for your good health... go pick up a copy of Go Dairy Free.

14 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I have recipes in that book too!!!! :-)

Gina said...

I keep hearing so much about this book! It sounds fantastic :)

Anonymous said...

this looks like a great book. i'm lactose intolerant, so i understand how dairy can definitely put your body in a funk.

the most difficult food to eliminate when i became vegan was marshmallows!!! i don't eat them anymore, but i wish i could find vegan ones. hot cocoa just isn't the same without them.

Anonymous said...

Too want this recipe book.....

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the heads up~ the book looks awesome!

Dolce said...

I was invited to a lactofree event the other night that you may be interested in, where are you based?

Anonymous said...

I highly recommend this book. My friend of mine just bought one and all of its recipes are healthy!

The Veggie Guy said...

Very nice - I am picking up a copy (ok, maybe a couple) as gifts, and probably another for myself!

Thank you for sharing this!

Dreena said...

hi Sands, it looks like you're in the TO area... & London? I'm on the West Coast - BC.

Anonymous said...

Joanna,
Sweet and Sara makes terrific vegan marshmallows (better than any non-vegan ones I have eaten)--their website tells you where to find them in stores. I order them from a Canadian online retailer (vivagranola dot com). Angel Foods makes a make your own vegan marshmallows kit, which I have had mixed success with (angelfood dot co dot nz).

Dreena: your blog is nice! We have all your cookbooks and collect as many vegan ones as we can, though I must confess we rarely cook...

urban vegan said...

Can't wait for this one! Alissa is a peach--and peaches are, of course, dairy-free. (And Dreena is a peach, too, of course!)

Dreena said...

Urban Vegan, you are too adorable!

Everyday Superhero said...

Dreena, A while ago you mentioned writing for Alive magazine. Has anything appeared?

Anonymous said...

It is rare that within a 24 hour period I make four recipes from one cookbook, let alone a newly acquired one. But Go Dairy Free, by Alisa Marie Fleming, is so fantastic, that I needed to dig in immediately.

This is a must-have cookbook for anyone looking to expand their recipe repertoire, regardless of whether you want or need to go dairy-free. Besides fabulous sounding recipes, the book is a wealth of information.