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Omaha Vegan Examiner Adam Kochanowicz recently made mention of a cookbook entitled The Vegan Cook’s Bible. Despite the holier-than-thou title, the book is not written with the help of any divine vegan intervention. Rather, it is written by herbalist Pat Crocker who is neither vegan, nor is she even vegetarian.
While this might not seem like so big of a deal—after all, talented chefs can come up with some really delicious vegan recipes without practicing the lifestyle for themselves—the idea of a non-vegan cashing in on the vegan lifestyle is rather unnerving. As Roseann Marulli of SuperVegan.com explains in her review of the book, the recipes themselves are delicious. However, a cookbook might lose a lot of credibility if the author simply talks the talk without walking the walk.
What is most upsetting about Crocker’s book is that she promotes the consumption of fish and honey within its pages. While some vegans do not take issue with honey, the idea of a “bible” is that it is a sacred text which outlines the beliefs of a group. If Crocker is implying that veganism includes eating fish and honey, she is horribly mistaken.
Needless to say, the vegan blogosphere and even the Amazon reviews of the book are quite outraged. Some are calling for a boycott, or at least a letter to the publishing company who did not consider the implications of including fish and honey in a vegan guidebook.
What’s truly horrifying about the situation is the way Crocker herself responded to a review by Mylene of the blog My Face is on Fire. Mylene reviewed the book, calling attention to the areas in the book where Crocker strays from the vegan guidelines. Crocker fired back with a very unprofessional and angry rant in defense of her book. I can see standing by your work, but lashing out to such a degree on a blog is really inappropriate.
I for one will not be purchasing this book. And not because I think poorly of Crocker (I’ve never met her, I’m sure she is very good at what she does), but because I think there are enough vegan cookbook authors who are as dedicated to doing as they are to preaching. Enough vegan cookbook authors who would never even consider including honey and fish within their pages.
Photo from www.amazon.com. The Vegan Cook's Bible is published by Robert Rose.
Comments
No fish or honey on The Vegan Table: compassionatecooks(dot)com
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Wow, I actually had no idea she recommended fish in a vegan diet. I am so outraged and offended by Pat Crocker.
Adam, she didn't technically recommend fish in a vegan diet. She just has a section in _The Vegan Cook's Bible_ that talks about nutrition, and in it she apparently praises fish as being the best source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Which still, of course, had no place in a vegan cookbook and which was sorta tantamount to recommending fish to vegans, I guess.
you all still miss the fact that the book has a great selection of recipes that are fun and delicious. I'm not a vegan or vegetarian but Pat's book has me eating more vegetables and loving it.
Mandy, absolutely. I'm sure the recipes are delicious and I am not trying to launch a smear campaign on Pat Crocker. I'm sure she is a very talented chef and writer. I just feel that the tenets of veganism are about more than just good food. And I feel more comfortable endorsing a product by someone who lives the lifestyle and emphasizes the health and ethical benefits of going vegan, rather than highlights items that do not fall in line with veganism.
I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, maybe writing a cookbook like this will have some sort of latent effect on the author, planting the seeds for a move toward veganism in the future. Also, I love that veganism has become so TRENDY that non-vegans are promoting it with more cookbook titles.
However, there is no way I would buy or recommend this book. I prefer to put money into the hands of people who are not going to spend it in non-vegan ways (whenever possible). Also, it's lame to include honey and fish in a vegan cookbook. Bizarre in fact---especially the fish.
How weird! I would NEVER have thought that something touting itself to be a bible of something would in fact contain recommendations that don't hold true to what it was a bible for.
I agree it's nice that veganism has become popular enough to have non vegans writing books about it. But if they are going to do this they should stick to the facts.
Fish oil is NOT the best source for Omega 3. It is rancid, dead, and rotting by the nature of the fact that it comes from a dead rotting animal. Animals rott the moment breathing ceases and blood stops flowing, (cellular respiration).
Fresh ground flax seeds is the BEST source for Omega 3.
Has anyone ever heard of the V-Pure? It's a supplement that sounds interesting and makes alot of sense though I have not tried it yet. Here is what they say about getting your Omegas from fish and why their products is different: "V-Pure omega 3 EPA & DHA is derived from algae, the source of these essential long chain fatty acids. Oily fish are rich sources of omega 3 EPA & DHA, but this is due to their diet of algae". So it sounds like they are bypassing the fish and going direct to the source of the Omegas--the algae. Their website is www.v-pure.com. Again, I have not tried their product so I cannot say whether I would recommend it but I would like to try it. It looks like they are located in the U.K based on the fact that the prices do not have a dollar sign in front of them. ;)
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