The Conscious Cook: Hit the Spot with Healthy and Humane Foods

After trying some of Tal Ronnen's recipes, celebrated chef Charlie Palmer said "I never believed that a meal without meat could look so good or be so satisfying." Bob Greene, author of the best-selling book The Best Life Diet, asserted, "Whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or not, this book can change your life."

As someone who has eaten my fair share of meals prepared by chef Tal Ronnen, who handles many of The Humane Society of the United States' events throughout the year, I associate myself with the judgments of the famed chefs cited above--Tal's recipes are simply fantastic. And fortunately, Tal's culinary creations are now even easier to try with the publication of his first book, The Conscious Cook.

Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or committed meat eater, this is a book that can help you down the path of higher-quality, good tasting, humane eating. As New York Times food writer Mark Bittman notes, "If you hate factory farming (and you should), your primary concern should be reducing consumption."

I've written extensively about The HSUS's work to ban some of the worst cruelties forced upon farm animals. We need to realize that as crucial as this is, for animal welfare, public health, and environmental reasons, our society must reduce the total number of animals raised and killed for food. Raising 10 billion land animals in the United States annually for food is simply not a sensible plan of action.

The science is clear that a diet that is primarily plant-based is better for our personal health, and it's obviously better for animals and the environment. Even the USDA--the one-time promoter of the basic "four food groups," with animal products constituting half of the dietary plan--has moved in the right direction, recently publishing a fact sheet on how to follow a healthy vegetarian diet.

If we are going to succeed in reducing the consumption of animal products, we have to have alternatives that excite the palate and tempt the skeptical. Your taste buds will be dazzled by Tal's creations, and you'll hike down the path of conscious eating with a full and satisfied stomach.

This post originally appeared on Pacelle's blog, A Humane Nation.