The Skinny Bitch franchise is no joke. Over the past few years Kim Barnouin, Rory Freedman (who co-authored the original Skinny Bitch) and their team have built a recognizable brand with a no-nonsense; tell it like it is approach to the vegan lifestyle.

This time around Kim is back with a book of vegan swaps for almost any craving – be it sweet or salty, bottled or packaged.

The previous Skinny Bitch books – especially their debut title – were sterner and more singular in their view than Skinny Bitch: The Book Of Vegan Swaps.

Reading Skinny Bitch years ago when I was just giving up poultry and red meat (primarily for environmental reasons, not health) I found the scare tactics and tone to be a bit over the top. i.e.: I don’t think that eating a steak means you’re a sloth without a conscience.

One thing I appreciated about this book is that Kim isn’t telling anyone they need to go full-throttle vegan out the gate.  The book is aimed at the dabbler – someone who’s interested in exploring the lifestyle but may not be quite ready to make a drastic commitment.  It provides a guide on how to enjoy yummy, indulgent foods without the carbon footprint, animal harm and funky ingredients in some mainstream brands.

Some highlights include:

-The rundown of the best national vegan restaurants, cafes and bakeries. This section is a helpful reference guide for travelers that I will definitely turn to on future getaways.

– A dictionary on what ingredients really mean.  This falls under the “you don’t really want to know but you SHOULD category.”  For example, find out what “coloring” in food really refers to. (PS – it’s sick man.)

– Tons of vegan substitutions for your favorite treats like chocolate, cookies, ice cream, chips and cheese. I’ve tried quite a few – and the majority is pretty tasty. To Kim’s credit she says she researched and taste-tested the recommended brands for over a year.

– A guide on mainstream grocers that carry these treats.  For those that don’t want to shop solely at Whole Paycheck Foods this is advantageous.

Overall, I’d recommend this book for anyone struggling with how to supplement their favorite treats for a vegan alternative. But I’d heed the warning that this isn’t meant to be a manual on how to eat a healthy diet. At the risk of sounding like your Mama…  a balanced diet is one made up of whole grains, healthy fats, plants and fruits – not just coconut  ice cream and soy cheese… delicious as they are!

Posted by Beth

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Beth is a Health and Wellness expert who believes sustainability goes hand-in-hand with self care. She’s the girl whipping up kombucha cocktails at parties, and extolling the benefits of canning vegetables to anyone who will listen. View all posts by Beth Funari