YumUniverse: Infinite Possibilities for a Gluten-Free, Plant-Powerful, Whole-Food Lifestyle

I got this book because I want to introduce more plants and whole foods into my family's diet. I've enjoyed visiting Heather's YumUniverse site in the past and made some of her online recipes and wanted this book to pull it all together for me in one place.1. The book is beautifully designed. It's such a pleasure to pick it such a pretty book after the kids are asleep and learn and menu plan for the week.2. I love the tone. Heather is very non-judgmental and isn't interested in labeling people by what they eat. She simply advocates eating more plants and whole foods, and you can do with that what you will. In my case, for now my husband isn't giving up meat and I'm hanging onto seafood but you can bet that we will also be eating a heck of a lot more plant-based and whole foods too :)3. The recipes actually taste good. How many times have you made a gluten-free recipe that tasted like cardboard? Not here. I have a super picky 2-year-old eater and an adventurous 5-year-old and they are both eating what I'm making from this book. The baked goods and crepes (gluten-free crepes!) are especially yummy. And the beautiful photos make me want to try new things.I was pretty surprised to see a couple 1 and 2 stars for this book when I came back to review my purchase. I think they rated it that way because they expected the book to be just recipes. To be clear, the book does contain a lot of 'why' and 'how' information -- things like how long to soak certain beans, explanation of ingredients, tools you may need to buy, storage tips to help ingredients last longer -- yet there are also 150 recipes in the book, most are in the 'let's eat' section with more scattered throughout the 'why' and 'how' sections. Plus there are bonus recipes because when you buy the book you also get to download "bonus extra recipes" PDFs (at http://yumuniverse.com/yumuniverse-cookbook/). I get that people who have fully transitioned to a plant-based diet may not need the "why" and "how" sections but 150 recipes is nothing to sneeze at.I like this book because it's a not only a cookbook but also a beautifully designed reference that I can pull off my shelf when I want to remember how long to soak and cook garbanzo beans, or the difference between garbanzo flour or almond flour, or (of course) yummy recipes. I'm learning and it's a journey, and I'm glad Heather shared hers to help make mine easier.

YumUniverse is beautiful, creative and inspiring. It's not just a cookbook. If you're a long-time vegan or vegetarian, you should definitely read it.I've been plant-based awhile, and I do my best to avoid soy, gluten, certain sweeteners and wheat. YumUniverse really helped me get back on track with what I truly believe is the best way to eat for my body. The first part of the book is all about the WHY and is filled with tons of info from research studies that will light a fire under your butt to eat better and give you educated, thoughtful responses for when you're hit with questions like "Where do you get your protein?" YumUniverse really inspired me to get back in the kitchen and not only try every recipe in the book, but also revamp a few of my go-to staples from other cookbooks and blogs.Recipes I've tried so far:the banana pancakesquinoa cinnamon toast cerealshredded brussels and kale w/ miso dijon sauceveggie pot-pieLoved them all.My friend made the chocolate salted carmel cake, and let me tell, you THE CHOCOLATE SALTED CARMEL CAKE IS EVERYTHING! It's so good. I have never had a cake that was that delicious while also being vegan AND soy AND gluten-free!This is not a quick and easy recipe, but definitely worth the time.Some of the recipes require more than one pot or pan and more than 10 minutes to make, but I do find that the more I make the recipes, the quicker they come together. Buy it!

WOW. I preordered this book 9 months before it was released and I am not disappointed. I love Heather Crosby and her outlook. She has a true gift for making healthy food delicious.I am not a vegetarian, but I do have a wheat allergy and I am always trying to find ways to add more vegetables into my diet. This is the book.The book is really well produced. It has solid construction, a layout that is interesting and easy to use and great photographs. Approximately half the book is information on the hows and whys of adopting a more plant based approach. It talks about technique, freezing foods, dealing with social situations...all kinds of things. Then there is a large selection of unique recipes. What I really like is that they are meant to apply to everyone - whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore, there is something there for you. There are keys to help you find the recipes to meet your needs. The recipes do not involve huge amounts of ingredients or tedious preparation. I think anyone could find something that they would enjoy here. There is even a beginner's green smoothie for people who think they don't like vegetables!!!

This book is gorgeous and informative, but I am disappointed there are so few recipes. I have already made a lot of the lifestyle and dietary changes she describes, so more than half the book is not that useful to me.I guess I'm just not part of the book's target audience. I've been living a plant-based lifestyle since 2007, plus I have to plan meals for my family. The recipes in this book are not that hearty -- they seem to be designed for single women who do not have children who have hours to spend on food prep for dishes that may be delicious and nutritious, but not that filling.If you or someone you know is ready to make a huge change in diet and lifestyle and has the time, patience and perseverance to follow Heather's best practices, this is the book. If you are a working parent who has to plan and prepare plant-based meals for the whole family, I would suggest another book, such as Anne Gentry's Vegan Family Meals or Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Appetite for Reduction.

Of all the plant based cookbooks I've purchased recently since going vegan this is by far my favourite and the one I use every day, to the extent most the pages are stained and dog eared. Everything I have tried so far has tasted incredible and the result has been accurate. Beautiful and creative photography and layout.Everything is so darn tasty I can't believe it's healthy. You forget the dish is plant based. That point comes secondary to incredible flavours. Her sandwich recipes are my favourite, aswell as the maple sandwich cookies, herbed cashew cheeses and granola recipes.Yes, I agree there could be more recipes in here, but I still liked reading the opening chapters where heather describes her own journey and also why one should eat plant based. I love how she comes across. I also feel she is an actual cook, unlike a lot of blog cookbook spinoffs which pale compared to their hype.This book keeps me on track because the recipes are so tasty. I hope heather comes out with another book in the future.

We use this book all the time! Regardless of recipes, it has so much information for vegan staples in the kitchen and general health that I have yet to find in any other cookbook. As foodies, this has been a valuable addition to the kitchen. And we found it all because of the food blog Oh She Glows, so thanks to Angela Liddon for featuring Heather Crosby's decadently healthy options the blog.

Really excellent book, can highly recommend to new and established vegans/gluten freeers. Looks fantastic and wonderfully written and illustrated. The page layouts are brilliant. A joy to navigate and use in the kitchen. Have bought another copy for a friend and will get more for gifts in future.

I have bought a few vegan cook books now and this is my favourite. Only half of the book is dedicated to receipies, the other telling you why and how and is full of interesting and helpful tips. Those receipies that are in. The book are super YUM, as a person new to the lifestyle Otis packed with really delicious meals which even my none vegan husband enjoys! Well done Heather keep them coming!

Very disappointing. Not many recipes compared to the size of the book. Too much talk about basics as it was made as a complete beginner or 1st time student cookbook. I was looking forward to a great gf vegan cookbook, but got very disappointed.