Get It Ripe: A Fresh Take on Vegan Cooking and Living (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: nated coconut oil, cups light spelt flour, tbsp filtered water, Cashew Creem, North American, Nutrient Function Sources Additional (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

jae offers practical advice and truly delicious recipes in her friendly, never-judgmental voice. This book is a breath of fresh, yummy air.
―Jessica Porter, author of The Hip ChickÂ’s Guide to Macrobiotics (Jessica Porter 20080801)

jae's debut book is an inspiring read. As an avid cook and foodie with an extremely nomadic lifestyle, finding balance through nutrition has been a challenge over the years, so I appreciate the depth of encyclopedic information this cookbook provides. Get It Ripe is a friendly nudge not only toward eating well and leading healthy lives, but also to supporting local farmers and being more responsible for the way we consume. Thanks for the book, jae! And for all the delicious treats youÂ’ve graced our hungry dressing rooms with over the years.
―Sarah Neufeld, of the Arcade Fire and the Bell Orchestre (Sarah Neufeld, of the Arcade Fire and the Bell Orchestre 20080801)

Gutsy, intimate, refreshing, informative, nutritious and delicious―in Get It Ripe, jae has written the cookbook I have been wanting to recommend to patients for more than a decade. Thank you for compiling, with so much care and enthusiasm, an eating guide for a lifetime of good health―for us and for the planet.
―Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, author of The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer and The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women's Health (Sat Dharam Kaur 20080801)

Get It Ripe is awesome! Here is a book that tells us how eating luscious foods will make us healthy. jae pays homage to Eastern traditional understandings of the body and the most recent findings of Western nutritional science. Her enthusiasm for healthy eating is contagious. With her simple-to-follow and uncomplicated recipes, she creates dishes that will tempt vegans and omnivores alike. In this book, packed full of culinary tips for beginners and seasoned chefs, jae has gone well beyond the basics of vegan eating, affirming that we vegans never have to compromise on taste.
―Ruth Tal, owner of Fresh restaurants (Toronto), and author of Juice for Life, Fresh at Home, and reFresh (Ruth Tal, owner of Fresh 20081105)

Get It Ripe is full of thought-provoking info on sustainable food, decoding grocery store labels, and holistic ideas on how to heal and balance our bodies through what we put in our mouths. Not to mention all the mouth-watering recipes that will make you want to jump in your kitchen and start cooking up a storm! The book is not just for vegans, it's for anyone who wants to treat their body, the planet, and their taste buds good.
― Adria Vasil, author of Ecoholic (Adria Vasil 20080915)

jae's inviting approach to whole foods is both pragmatic and uplifting. Get It Ripe offers big-picture broad stokes and meaningful details for delicious, nutritious food every day (regardless of one's dietary denomination!). If you love your body and the planet, this book is a sure thing.
― Renee Loux, author of EasyGreen Living, The Balanced Plate, and Living Cuisine (Renee Loux 20080926)

Much more than a vegan recipe book or lifestyle guide, Get It Ripe is a well-balanced healthy eating manual, hands-on cooking lesson, and cookbook all rolled into one.... Setting all preachiness aside, jae presents a fluid dietary model that takes inspiration from a wide breadth of approaches, providing straight-ahead guidance but ultimately leaving it up to the readers to make their own choices. And the eatin's pretty darn good too!
―Gayla Trail, author of You Grow Girl (Gayla Trail 20081001)

Toronto-based registered holistic nutritionist and author Steele has worked some magic in her attempt to teach the beginner vegetarian/vegan about the health benefits of the lifestyle with food that isnÂ’t bland.This isnÂ’t strictly a cookbook. The title says it all. Steele spends the first 100 pages of the book outlining what veganism means, from political motivations to the alternative health thinking behind it.
―Taste TO (Taste TO 20081111)

Although Get It Ripe is touted as a cookbook, it reads as a very intelligent and unique approach to the vegan lifestyle..... [jae steele] educates the reader about the "whole picture" of veganism in a non-judgmental manner that is impressive, not to mention tasty!
―Organic Lifestyles (Organic Lifestyles 20081211)

As much vegan primer as cookbook, Get It Ripe is a great starter book for anyone stumbling through those first months of life without dairy and meat. The author offers plenty of nutritional, prep and shopping information.
―Associated Press (Associated Press 20081211)

This is a comprehensive guide to veganism as it relates to cuisine, health, and politics. It is essential for public libraries.... Doubling as a vegan handbook and cookbook, this volume does an excellent job on both fronts. YouÂ’ll find tantalizing ideas like Red Star Sauce (mock cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast) and Chocolate Pudding with Chipotle.
―Library Journal (Library Journal 20090320)

Whether you just want a new recipe for fabulous muffins, or are desperate to prove to loved ones that eco-friendly vegan eating can taste good, Get It Ripe will be your go-to cookbook.
―CanadianLiving.com (CanadianLiving.com )

A fun guide to preparing tasty, vegan dishes that anyone would enjoy.
―The O'Mama Report (Organic Trade Association) (The O'Mama Report )

With sections on everything from the warming properties of food to how the body actually processes ingredients, this book is less a cookbook than an all-in-one guide to healthy vegan living, for which steele's holistic-nutritionist training is put to good use.
―VegNews (VegNews )

There is something about [jae steele]'s accessible writing style that can make even the clumsiest non-vegan feel like a culinary goddess.... Jae offers her expertise, wisdom and passion to serve the growing whole foods and vegan movement.
―Ascent Magazine (Ascent )

[Includes] a healthy portion of delectable, animal-free recipes that will make even the toothiest canivore's mouth water.... Steele's vegan recipes are a snap to whip up and unexpectedly finger-lickin' good.
―Bust (Bust )

Get it Ripe is a book that focuses on the benefits of holistic living and whole foods. Why should you take her advice to heart? Because a) She doesnÂ’t judge! Her methods of explanation are accessible and donÂ’t make you feel guilty for what you eat (or donÂ’t eat). and b) SheÂ’s a registered holistic nutritionist! and finally c) She runs a pretty awesome blog too.
―Love like a Vegan (blog) (Love like a Vegan )

jae steele is one vegan with a palate you can trust. Need proof? Delicious recipes such as Butternut Risotto, Blueberry Breakfast Polenta, or Adzuki-Squash Soup with Chipotle.... Steele's non-harpy approach makes this tome easier to swallow than the typical "meat is murder" approach.
―City Bites magazine (Toronto) (City Bites )

The best parts of jae steele's entertaining vegan cookbook are what's missing from its pages: no judgmental preaching and lists of expensive ingredients that you'll never find.... An easy-to-follow book for anyone trying to eat healthier.
―The Coast (Halifax, NS) (The Coast (Halifax) )

Get It Ripe is packed with recipes for everything from muffins and cakes to meals-in-a-bowl, but it also includes straightforward, easy-to-use nutritional guidance. Steele never adopts a strident tone and she offers invaluable information for anyone who wants to more be conscious of what they eat.
―eyeWeekly (Toronto) (eyeWeekly )

A terrific whole foods cookbook for vegans.... Throughout the book, you'll find useful symbols indicating which recipes are gluten-free, soy-free, nightshade-free, and/or raw/living dishes.
―Vegetarian Journal (Vegetarian Journal )

Product Description

Get It Ripe is a vegan cookbook for the twenty-first century with an emphasis on holistic living and whole food (i.e. unprocessed and unrefined) ingredients. Jae Steele is a registered holistic nutritionist; she has also been a professional vegan baker and has worked on an East Coast organic farm. Her life experiences and her love of vegan whole foods are at the heart of Get It Ripe, which not only includes uncomplicated yet delicious animal-free recipes, but advice and information on various aspects of holistic vegan living, including cleansing and detox programs, yoga and meditation, ethical consumerism, and the connections among mind, body, and spirit.

The two hundred recipes include Butternut Risotto, Chipotle Black-Eyed Peas with Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower Chickpea Curry, Pad Thai, Fettuccini No-Fredo, Cinnamon Pumpkin Soup, Banana Creem Pie, and Cowgrrrl Cookies. Two-color throughout, the book also includes sixteen full-color recipe photographs.

Get healthy and energetic with Get It Ripe.

In addition to being a registered holistic nutritionist, Jae Steele has authored numerous vegan cookzines and runs the blog Domestic Affair. She lives in Montreal.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551522349
• ISBN-13: 978-1551522340
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete, Comprehensive, Creative..., August 13, 2008

By	Eden Robinson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Get it Ripe" is a unique vegan recipe book that also includes comprehensive and accurate information on food.
The first 100 pages of the book offer truly useful and understandable information. Jae's friendly dialect is warm, supportive, and non-judgemental. Most of the other nutrition books I've read have been aggressively coercive (and are either frustratingly vague or overwhelmingly specific and technical). "Get it Ripe" is uniquely easy to read and understand.
By the time you finish reading the first part of the book, you'll have a solid understanding of the effects different foods have on the human body. The next 20 or so pages discuss appropriate kitchen appliances and pantry necessities. The next 10-ish pages address the preparation of grains and legumes, complete with color photos of each type of grain and legume. The next 5 pages offer great information on baking with whole grains, including a list of alternate flours (brown rice flour, etc.) and their nutritional and baking benefits.

And then, the recipes! This section is a good 140 pages, divided into Drinks (11 recipes)
Breakfasts (15 recipes)
Muffins/Biscuits/Quickbreads (12 recipes)
Dips and Spreads (8 recipes)
Salads and Dressings (13 recipes)
Sauces/Gravies/Marinades (10 recipes)
Soups (15 recipes)
Main Dish Bowls/Additional Entrees (18 recipes)
Cakes/Pies/Crumbles (14 recipes)
Cookies/Puddings/Other Sweet Treats (26 recipes)
The full-page color photos are (of course!) mouth-watering. The recipes are oh so easy to follow, and most are incredibly simple (e.g. 10 easy-to-find ingredients, 5 steps). Jae does a wonderful job of creating gourmet flavors with healthful ingredients and minimal preparation. I myself am eager to try the Portobello Burgers with Sunchoke Oven Fries (10 ingredients, 6 steps).
"Get it Ripe" sums up with a few pages on detoxification, and 16 fabulous menu ideas. There's also a comprehensive resource list and index.

"Get it Ripe" is one of the best cookbook/nutrition books I have ever bought! And given the size of my kitchen bookshelf, that's saying a lot! Although I just recently got it, I expect "Get it Ripe" to be one the most used cookbooks in my collection! Thank you Jae!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cookbook and Nutrition Book, August 26, 2008

By	Emily S - See all my reviews

I accidently stumbled upon this book. I never read the accompanying blog and new nothing about the author. I live overseas so it's a big deal for me to order books and I have a very long wish list. I just had a good feeling about this one and I was not disappointed! There is so much information inside this book aside from recipes. The info is organized well and easy to read and understand. The author has a fresh and balanced approach to holistic health and nutrition.

These recipes I have made so far and have all been great:
Get Up and Go Smoothie
Immune Boost Juice
Ginger Sesame Pasta Salad
Beet and Green Bean Toss
Mushroom Quinoa Pilaf
Pesto White Bean Bowl

I can't wait to try:
Carob Chai Cake with Cardamom Icing
Mocha Fudge Pudding Cake
Glazed Lemon Poppyseed Cake

Again, not living in North America, another thing I REALLY appreciate is that the recipes do not require exotic or difficult to find ingredients. If there is an ingredient that might not be readily available, there is always a substitution listed for it. Ms Steele, I could kiss you for that!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful contribution to vegan cooking, July 1, 2008

By	John P. Plummer (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Having appreciated Jae Steele's blog for some time now, I was delighted to see her new cookbook, and it does not disappoint. A nutritionist, Jae provides extensive nutritional/health information in an open, informative style, leaving it to her readers to decide how to apply her guidance. Both vegans and non-vegans will surely enjoy her very tasty recipes!