Many of the recipes in this cookbook are okay, but when I ordered it I failed to notice that it contains a "Forward by Dean Ornish, M.D." That would have been the tip-off.

We all know that too much fat is bad for us, and like many Americans my husband and I eat "light" nowadays--nonfat dairy products; very little beef, lamb or pork; no butter or margerine; skinless chicken and turkey. But much has changed in the dietary world since Shulman's book was first published in 1989. We now know that there are "good" fats as well as bad ones, and that an EXTREMELY low fat diet can be almost as unhealthy as a high-fat one.

If you are vegetarian, this book will probably be useful to you. However, it contains only nine recipes that contain chicken (note that most are not truly "chicken dishes"). Few recipes contain cheese or dairy products of any kind, and most disturbing is her insistance on reducing the olive oil content of most dishes to a miniscule amount. She even includes a recipe for a traditional provencal onion pissaladiere (pizza) which always includes olives: she writes she "left out the olives . . .for the diet version"!

There are many, many excellent mediterranean cookbooks on the market without going to the extreme of Shulman's. Dr. Atkins and Dr. Ornish are at the opposite extremes of the twenty-year- long fat versus carb controversy. Try an alternative mediterranean cookbook and find yourself a satisfying middle ground. I suggest The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook or any of Paula Wolfert's cookbooks. Another, unfortunately out of print, is Mediterranean Cooking the Healthful Way by Marilyn Spieler--my personal favorite. Go ahead: drizzle, don't dump, olive oil on your food and pop a couple of kalamata olives in your mouth. It's okay!

I wrote in April of 2000 that I had lost 50 lbs. I've lost another 20 lbs - 70 in all and maintain that loss now for almost 4 years using this cookbook. I have given it to many friends and relatives. It has changed my eating style for the better for life. Every time there's a news story about the best way to eat it mirrors what Ms Shulman teaches in her books. It's no chore eating this way. I love it.

My rule of thumb is, if you get three recipes that you cook regularly out of a cookbook, and you otherwise enjoy it, it has earned its selling price. Let's see: I use the recipes for hummus, white bean and tuna salad, tabouleh, semolina bread, that thing with chard and fish . . . and there's lots more. The author explains how to do it all from scratch, which is always good to know, but I've saved some time substituting already cooked beans and, when I don't have any I've made myself, I've used commercially produced, fat-reduced chicken stock. Nutritional data is provided for each dish.

While we appreciate that Mr. Bayan took the time to comment on our work, we are concerned that inaccurate statements he has made may discourage some people from making changes in diet and lifestyle that we have proven to be lifesaving.

For the past 24 years, the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine have conducted research scientifically proving, for the first time, that the progression of even severe coronary heart disease can begin to reverse by making comprehensive changes in diet and lifestyle, without drugs or surgery. These studies have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of the AMA, The Lancet, the American Journal of Cardiology, New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and others.

Mr. Bayan alleges that the diet we have proven to be so beneficial is "dangerous" for some patients because both HDL and LDL may decrease and triglycerides may increase. HDL and triglycerides are only potential risk factors for heart disease, they are not diseases. When we measured the actual severity of heart disease using state-of-the-art measures such as computer-analyzed coronary arteriography and cardiac PET scans, patients showed continued improvement over time, even in patients like Mr. Bayan whose HDL decreased or triglycerides increased. Also, cardiac events were 2.5 times lower in the group who followed the program compared to the control group who made more moderate changes in diet (30% fat, 200 mg cholesterol). [reference: JAMA. 1998;280:2001-2007.] Clearly, lowering HDL by changing diet did not harm these patients. LDL cholesterol decreased by an average of almost 40% during the first year, and none of the patients who adhered to the diet showed an increase in LDL.

As Dr. Connor wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine, "There are no data showing that the physiologic reduction of HDL cholesterol levels with a low-fat diet is detrimental. Diet-induced lowering of HDL cholesterol does not confer the same risk of atherosclerosis as do low HDL cholesterol levels in Americans consuming a high-fat diet." [ref: N Engl J Med. 1997;337(8).]

It is true that one can eat an unhealthful low-fat diet if it is high in simple carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour, alcohol, and many popular fat-free desserts. Such a diet may cause a shift to the more harmful pattern B LDL subclass that Mr. Bayan mentions.

But this is not the diet we recommend for reversing heart disease. Other studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and other complex carbohydrates (which is the diet we recommend) actually cause a shift AWAY from the pattern B LDL subclass to more beneficial patterns [ref: Kenney JJ, et al. Very-low-fat diets do not necessarily promote small, dense LDL particles. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999;70(3):423-5.]

Patients whose triglycerides increase are counseled to be even more mindful in reducing their intake of simple carbohydrates and increasing their exercise. Also, for many years we have recommended that patients take 3 grams/day of fish oil, which also helps to lower triglycerides. In the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Project, we found that triglyceride levels, which initially increased slightly but not significantly, then fell significantly in years two and three. [ref: American Journal of Cardiology. 1998;82:72T-76T.] Almost 80% of people who were eligible for bypass surgery or angioplasty were able to safely avoid it by making these diet and lifestyle changes instead.

We respect the work of Dr. Robert Superko and often refer patients to his lipid laboratory for testing. Again, we have found that patients with small dense LDL also show reversal of heart disease on the program recommend.

The program that we recommend includes a reversal diet for those with heart disease and the prevention diet for others. The prevention diet may be higher in fat and cholesterol than the reversal diet and is tailored to the needs of the individual rather than offering one diet for everyone. The prevention diet may include some oils, fish and other animal products for some people.

Switching from saturated fats to monosaturated fats is better, but for reversing heart disease or lowering cholesterol it is better to avoid all oils other than fish oils. Olive oil is 100% total fat and 14% saturated fat. The more olive oil you consume, the more saturated fat you consume, the higher your plasma cholesterol. The studies showing that olive oil lowers cholesterol are only when substituted in equal amounts for butter or oils that are higher in saturated fat. Also, olive oil has almost none of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

The bottom line is this: patients in our studies with severe heart disease reported a 91% reduction in angina (chest pain) within one month, and most became pain-free. They not only felt better, they were better. We measured improved blood flow within one month as measured by thallium scans and radionuclide ventriculograms, reversal of coronary artery blockages (atherosclerosis) within one year, even more reversal after five years, and 2.5 times fewer cardiac events (e.g., heart attacks). It works.

We all know that heart disease is one of our top life-threatening medical conditions in today's society. With people living under more stress, fast-food outlets in ever-increasing abundance, and many individuals packing on the pounds and having less time and energy to exercise, it is no wonder our hearts our strained to the limit.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to minimize risks of heart disease or who is living with a heart problem. The book is not simply about a short-term change of diet, it is about changing one's lifestyle on a permanent basis. When we think of diet, we often think of one of those trendy, short-term fad diets that allow us to take off the pounds only to put them back on later. Diet, in this book, refers to a long-term change; we are what we eat. The author suggests increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, fibre and fish oil and avoiding saturated fats like olive oil. Readers will find some healthy recipes in the book (terrific recipes, in fact) and some very beneficial facts about heart disease and how to prevent it.

When my doctor suggested cholesterol lowering drugs last year, I decided that 34years old was too soon to start taking drugs. My cholesterol was 266 (& that's after cutting out most red meat and pork fat -and no hamburgers). I was motivated to try to improve the health of my arteries and heart. I want to be around for my ten year old's retirement party!

I followed Dr Ornish's diet program for 6 month's then had my cholesterol levels tested again. Everything improved: cholesterol down to 210, triglycerides went from 389 to 217 and my ratio improved 24%. I never skipped a meal. I never went hungry. Secondary benefit: I lost 14 pounds and two inches around my waist without trying. I did not exercise enough so I am trying to increase my exercise now. I probably exercised an average of once a week.

By the way, Dr Ornish included a chart that demanded that you eat at least a certain amount of fat in your daily diet. I liked that the book is filled with studies by major US universities. This is not 600 pages of rambling prose but a how to book to reverse heart disease. If you want someone to hold your hand, call your Mom. If you want a "How to Reverse Your Heart Disease" manual, buy this book. ... Stop reading reviews and buy, read and try it.

My husband and I purchased this book for his father, as he had just had heart surgery, and we had seen Dr. Collins on Regis Live promoting his book. It sounded great and I thought this would be great for my father in law, as he loves to eat, and thought there would be great recipes for him. We were so motivated that We also purchased one for ourselves.

If you love Soy and Tofu you have hit a gold mine...Well in our case, neither my husband and I, or my father in law happen to like either of these.

Practically all the recipes need these ingredients. Except for a few "creative" ones. One of the being "the carrot dog". You just supplement a marinated carrot for a hot dog and place it on a hot dog bun!!!! YUK!!!

In all due respect, Dr. Collins seems very dedicated to his patient's and if you are a Soy and Tofu lover, you will probally love these recipes and if not, don't buy it.

I was looking for a little variety in my lowfat cooking. This book filled the bill!!! Tasty recipes with nutritional information and clear instructions. Recommended!

I recently saw Dr. Collins give a cooking demonstration and was eager to try the recipes from his book. So far, I have found the recipes to be tasty and easy to prepare. My family loves the oatmeal and soy smoothie recipes. Keep up the good work, doc!

A heart-of-the-matter handbook that shortcuts one to reasons that give motivation to make dietary and lifestyle changes for the better.

This book is a set of essays and recipes that put forth simple summaries for various topics, quietly presenting the fabulous "secrets" to health that are proven methods applied and documented over thousands of years' of formal practice and teaching in Yoga. These good tips for health and healing include recipes for oil and clay maintenance of the skin which really work in my experience and that of many other of my friends who discovered Yoga in 1974.

Think of how itchy dry winter skin feels in the northeast winter weather, and find the relief in the easy and self-nurturing sesame oil essay in this book. One gets youthful effects on the body from this weekly habit, and I and a friend found it relieves joint pain, muscle stiffness in the shoulders and neck.

The Healthy Vegetarian is deceptively humble because it was written and published at a small press, without much PR marketing and Hollywood flash. I am surprised to be the first one to review the book as it has been around for a while, but it is really the flip-side of the secret of success that Dr. Dean Ornish has enjoyed in his New York Times Best Sellers.

I began my studies of the vegetarian diet in 1973, and saw Ornish as a colleague in Integral Yoga International since 1974 with the author, my teacher Sri Swami Satchidananda, to whom Ornish also attributes his success when he speaks to the home-crowd in Integral Yoga.

I taught gourmet international vegetarian cooking in New York at the Integral Yoga Institute and saw the evolution of this book while Dr. Ornish frequently stopped in at the Institute to show the clinical documentation of the healing effects of the vegetarian diet in his work with heart patients who previously needed bypass surgery.

In Australia during 1996 I found an overwelmingly positive response to vegetarian/Indian food when I cooked on scholarship for my studies in sustainable design at Tagari Farm, Tyalgum, northern New South Wales with the meat-eating group led by Bill Mollison and visiting semi-vegetarian, one vegan, students.

The food I served over several weeks using my version of recipes in "The Healthy Vegetarian" and other recipes I invented with what food came from the garden created a unanimous excellent assessment of the food from the group in residence and students. It was the only course in the Farm's history with no complaints about food in the closing critique by students.

Sandra McLanahan, MD is another person who participated in this book's creation. I have known Dr. McLanahan since 1974 and it is heartening to see someone like her who "walks her talk" - she is healthy, full of energy, creative and artistic, beautiful and compassionate, humorous, brilliant, and can cite clinical documentation for all the good things in this book, the Healthy Vegetarian.

I hope this little book is discovered by those who would like a more relaxed body and peaceful mind to enjoy over a delicious lunch.

I avoided this book for some time because the title seemed misleading to me. However, when I found it featured in the library displays this week, I felt it was time to dig in. The good news is that I found the title less misleading after reading the book. The bad news is that I still found it misleading.

Dr. Barnard describes the workings of typical body functions that can influence the amount of fat you store and burn. There is some genetic influence involved in these functions, and you can influence the way the functions work. However, I don't think many people would argue that genes that affect the way we taste, experience hunger, build and burn fat, and oxygenate our muscles are all "fat genes."

I was disappointed that in a book about dealing with fat that there was nothing said about drinking water. Studies have shown that not drinking enough water contributes to higher cholesterol levels. However, if you eat as many fruits and vegetables as are suggested here, your body's fluid sources should improve.

I did find it interesting that there were identified different ways that people taste based on genetics, which can be verified through testing. I suspect that it is really more complicated than that. Having been a consultant to food companies for many years, it seems clear that there are an incredible number of taste preference variations in any population.

The arguments about setting your metabolism by how many calories you take in seemed generally right. You can create a sense of starvation and your body will burn fewer calories. However, I suspect that this level is different for different people. All of my life, I have been able to lose four pounds a week by going to 1000 calories a day. Dr. Barnard would say that I could not lose that much on under 1500 calories a day. He would also say that my metabolism would stay low for weeks thereafter. I don't think my metabolism goes down at all. Well, Dr. Barnard, maybe for you . . . but not for me. He also argues that only dietary fat builds body fat. The argument is based on being able to identify the sources of fats consumed from the fat stored in the body. I don't think that clinches the case. I could go on with places where my own experience is different from what he describes in the book, but that might only establish that I am not average.

But I do think that that is an important point. None of us are average. Our own bodies are unique combinations of genes, preferences, and habits. I don't think this book takes that point seriously enough.

Now, what he describes is exactly the kind of diet that makes my Mother feel terrific. Coincidentally, she has a B blood type. When I read Live Right 4 Your Type, this sort of a diet was suggested for B blood type people. I wonder what blood type Dr. Barnard has.

I do agree that most diets push people to eat too much fat. I also think that the type of fat ingested matters from the books I have read (which this book doesn't take seriously enough). I also agree that almost everyone eats too little fiber and complex carbohydrates. So many of the book's directions are helpful to reinforce those points. I also appreciated the tables on glycemic index values, fiber, and fat for various foods (including popular fast foods).

The book's recipes will make you think differently about whether vegetarian food has to be boring. These are extremely imaginative recipes. For many people, the process of eating this type of food will take a little getting used to. I suggest that you try the ones that have higher sugar levels first.

After you finish reading this book, I suggest that you think about your own experiences with various kinds of foods, calorie levels, weight gain, and weight loss. Where have you succeeded? Where have you had problems? What haven't you yet tried? What blood type are you? How does the recommended diet for your blood type match with your experiences?

Let your own experience help guide you to better eating and exercise habits!

Dr. Barnard's book is a winner. Not only have I lost weight, but I have regained my health. By the way, not through any so called health "professional," but because I took responsibility for my own health, which most people don't want to do. Health professionals make money off of sick people. Can they really tell us anything about being healthy? Anybody can follow this diet-all it takes is courage and the willingness to change. But I've come to believe that most people fear change more than they fear death. If you need help or lack willpower, I suggest Anthony Robbins' UNLIMITED POWER or one of his tapes. TONY + DR. BARNARD is a winning formula!

I just completed the three-week gene makeover program recommended by Dr. Barnard in his new book, "Turn Off the Fat Genes," and I'm ecstatic. Not only did I lose six pounds (while enjoying some delicious new recipes), but I feel less tired than I have in years.

I heard about Dr. Barnard from my mother who went vegan after reading Dr. Barnard's last book, "Foods that Fight Pain." My mom, who has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for most of the last decade, has found incredible relief by getting off dairy.

I also had the good fortune of hearing Dr. Barnard speak in Cincinnati earlier this month. He is a fantastic public speaker. If you have the chance to see him in your home town, don't miss it.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about nutrition and weight control.

Cincinnati, OH, USA

The recipes are time intensive and many are tasteless. Health food does not deservice the bad rap.

At the recommendation of my grandmother, I purchased this book for help in preparing recipes prepared with soy. I was diagnosed with many allergies and I can no longer eat dairy products, corn, mushrooms, etc. (that's only the beginning, the list goes on!). I knew about tofu but I didn't know what to do with it. Using this book as a guide, I prepared a spinach lasagne following the ingredience for spinach ravoli (pg. 35). It was delicious, if I don't say so myself! I would definitely recommend this cookbook. I like using it as a guide to help with new ideas in food preparation. Bona Petite!

I loved this book. I've been a vegetarian for years, and have had to live with the scorn of my food-snob friends, many of whom wouldn't come to my house for dinner parties. So I cooked a feast of Ginsberg's recipes and impressed them all-finally. The Chinese food is especially tasty, although the biscotti was terrific. I brought it to work and everyone ate it up.

I think I know what bothers most of the people who gave this book low rating, especially the ones who have been long time fans. for us geeks and dragonlance lovers the ending is quite upsetting, silly as it may sound. We feel like everything we know and love in/about Krynn was was taken away from us and it's hard to judge the book objectively after that.

Like many here said, this book is enjoyable but not as enjoyable as the earlier Dragonlance books like Chronicles and Legends. It's sort of an anemic version of them, it's a bit lacking.

some things I found unconvincing- like Palin and Usha falling in love after spending about 5 minutes together. I guess it's convincing if you believe in love at first sight, I don't.
And Raistlin... ok I didn't read the Raistlin chronicles and I don't know just how much ol' Fistie was affecting him but he just didn't seem himself- again, like an anemic and dare I say boring? version of the old Raist.

Some questions were left unanswered. Is Usha Raistlin's daughter or not? If she's not, how can the author's explain the short story "Raistlin's daughter"? Funny, that. There's this rumor going around about this yellow eyed Irda girl who is Raistlin's daughter and though the story is NOT true, one yellow eyed Irda girl does indeed exist only she's not the one from the story. I guess yellow eyed Irda girls are pretty common these days.
if she is his daughter after all, why did Rustlin lie to her? (That would also add the ewww factor to the Usha and Palin
storyline.)

I wasn't a huge fan of this book, but I have to write to clear up a misconception many people seem to have. Weis&Hickman did not "decide" to dramatically alter the world forever in a vindictive and spiteful effort to ruin it for everyone else. They don't OWN the rights to the Dragonlance saga, and they are NOT ALLOWED to make decisions like that! It was TSR's choice, for God's sake! If you have to blame someone, blame them! And anyway, I hear that Weis&Hickman are currently working on a new, veiled-in-secrecy Dragonlance trilogy. So calm down! As far as the book goes, It wasn't quite as great as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad, either. I got it the instant it came out and read it pretty much non-stop through Thanksgiving break, and I enjoyed it. A lot. It doesn't have quite the magic of their previous Dragonlance books, but it's still quite fine. The ending did depress me--and it didn't help that I finished it at around Midnight on the day before I had to return to school. Still, Dragonlance fans should read it. So there.

First of all, if you're like me and kind of stupid, make sure you DON'T READ THIS BOOK FIRST!!! It will confuse you out of your wits. I was reading it and came across a name I didn't recognize, then I put the book down for a week just pondering who that person was. After finally deciding that it didn't really mater and I would find out later, I continued reading only to find the same thing happen again!

Other than this, it is a very nice read. I read it again after reading the Chronicles and Legends, and appreciated it much more. Other reviewers have said that this book drags on and never seemes to end. Well, I think that this really isn't true, since everything needs to happen. Anyone whose read farther ahead in the DragonLance series will know this.

Please, remember that nothing in the book is a personal offence to anyone. A friend of mine was so enraged with the ending that she burned the book. Later, she felt bad since it was a bad reaction, and she's now begging me for my copy so she can read it again.

When my mother died of cancer, five years after finding out she had breast cancer (pre-menopause), I resolved to do whatever I could to learn more and improve my chances of avoiding cancer, if it was at all possible. Dr. Arnot's book was the extra motivation that I needed. Much of the information that is contained within his book has been around for year - - cutting out the "bad" fats, eating more of the right types of greens, incorporating more soy into your diet, eating less red meat and more fish, etc. Sometimes, you need to hear something a few times befire it sinks in. I can't imagine how some of the more mainstream dietary modifications can be considered dangerous. If Dr. Arnot is guilty of anything, he is guilty for not saying that many of his suggestions are a prescription for healthier living, not just for improving your chances in the fight against breast cancer. (As an aside, these suggestions which have been in vegetarian and health- oriented magazines for years.) As for those who argue that this book is dangerous to women because of the advice it gives and because it will discourage women from going to the doctor, Dr. Arnot couches his suggestions in terms of, well, suggestions. In many places, if I remember correctly, he says that women should talk to their doctor about their level of risk for breast cancer. Furthermore, women who will pick up this buy and buy are likely to be women who know that they are at risk or think that they are at risk because members of their family have died of breast cancer - - they will likely know that there is no magic bullet and that they will need to discuss their individual cases with their doctor. Perhaps Dr. Arnot should have said that in his book, that his ideas are suggestions because if diet alone could prevent breast cancer, millions of women would not have it. I should hope that intelligent women would knoiw that. As for why I didn't give the book the extra star? I agree with those reviewers who said that recipes would have been a nice addition. Though many good recipes are available in magazines and the Veggie Life Home Page (a personal favorite of mine), I would like to see what Dr. Arnot would suggest.

My mother's two sisters have had masectomies, and I am sure that I am a good candidate for breast cancer. There are no other preventitive steps in existence at this time. As his book does not promise results, it is a healthy diet whether its results are proven or not. Although it is a preliminary study and won't be proven for possibly ten years or maybe more, what is the harm of eating correctly? It is not as if he is telling us to ingest drugs. These theories are believed to be true by many scientists and doctors in the field although they cannot be proven until more research is done. I would rather eat these foods, and possibly keep my breasts before I have to go through chemotherapy or die. Why not try? I have spoken to a woman who had nine months to live and refused chemo. She went on a diet quite the same as Dr. Arnot's. This was in 1970. She is 76 years old today. I never assume that people know everything and I imagine that foods that come from natural sources are better for you than anything we can manufacture.

First, every woman I care about, my friends, sisters, mom, etc., will be getting a copy of this book as their next gift from me! Dr. Arnot gives example after example of medical research PLUS lifestyles of women all over the world showing better health than most Americans, revealing what scientists believe attribute to it! Unless every word and Doctor, or school referenced are all liars, this book is a LIFESAVE. Scientist have come a long way. They don't just say "don't eat this, but eat that" and you'll be fine. That's too simple. They know much more than that now and we need to take advantage of that. If they say breakfast is important, always eat SOMETHING, than that's what we should do! If you want a fiction book, or an easy fix, or if you want to ramble about how research in mice has little to do with humans, than keep fooling yourself. I'll take all the help a reputable doctor or scientist or medical college wants to give to prolong my life AND give me GOOD HEALTH at the same time. Many of us ae having our children late in life. My youngest was born when I was 38. I've got to live a long time to be there for her. My mother had me at 18! She's 70 now and I love having her around. I trust there is nothing in Dr. Bob's book that will hurt me -- but that will only help me. Should I still go to the doctor? OF COURSE!!! I have been getting yearly mamograms for 15 years, and only this year did I have a a small spot. I'm to get another exam in May 2002. I'm worried. They think it's nothing and say MOST OF THEM ARE BENIGN. What if i'm one of those woman not so lucky? I am not sure about Soy Isoflavones (the dosage) although Dr. Bob talks about it. Thanks, and KEEP READING!! ...

Dr. Dean Ornish has done some revolutionary research on reversing heart disease by diet, exercise, and positive social interaction. His diet is a life plan and is radically different from most American high-fat, high-calorie kind of eating. He advocates a drastic reduction in fat (10% instead of the more common 40%) in food intake. He explains that most diets are based on reduced portions which causes the dieter to feel hungry and want to go off the diet. Under his plan, the amount of food is not so important as the kind of food that you eat. He explains that all calories are not equal and that fat is the enemy of those who are concerned about heart disease. A radical change is threatening to most people, but he addresses those issues and puts forth a very convincing argument for the advantages of his program. Many of his recipes seem exotic and full of hard-to-find ingredients, but there are enough of them to satisfy the most particular palates, and readers can make their own modifications to produce more user-friendly recipes. For those who scoff, the results which Dr. Ornish's patients have seen are hard to deny.

Eat More, Weigh Less will speak directly to all those folks who have been struggling to feel better, achieve a healthful weight and gain more energy while trying to sort through the conflicting, confusing onslaught of dietbook information. Dr. Dean Ornish suggests an eating lifestyle not a diet, based on whole, unprocessed grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes including soy, and nonfat dairy foods that is easy to follow, abundant in variety, and packed with nutrients. The book contains great recipes and cooking tips from nationaly known chefs, that are easy to follow and include nutrient information so that you know exactly what you are eating. While fat is not used in the recipes, wonderful flavor is created from the garlic, herbs, spices and combinations of ingredients. One is able to eat well and feel satisfied without indulging in high fat, high calorie foods, and without feeling deprived or hungry. The only limiting factor to enjoying this type of eating would be one's imagination! This is a wonderful resource for anyone who is pursuing good health, an increased sense of energy and well being, and an expanded repetoire of delicious recipes!

This is a wonderful book. Clear, informative, extremely helpful. It makes it clear that there are really only two ways to lose weight: eat fewer calories and burn more calories. You can eat fewer calories by eating less food, which works for any diet in the short run but not in the long run becaus (surprise!) you feel hungry and deprived. But by eating foods that are less dense in calories-- i.e., less fat-- you can eat the same amount of food and still eat a lot fewer calories, so you can maintain this way of eating.

A lot of people think that the only diet Dr. Ornish recommends is the same one he proved could reverse heart disease, but in this book he offers a spectrum of choices. In other words, to the degree you move in the low fat (and low sugar) direction, then you lose weight without being hungry. And your health gets better in other ways, too.

And most of the recipes are great, too.

Right after a massive heart attack, my cardiologist put me on the Ornish Program. Yes, my total cholesterol dropped, but so did my HDL (good cholesterol). My LDL (bad cholesterol) increased. Most alarmingly, in less than a month, my triglycerides more than doubled! My cardiologist had no explanation for this phenomenon. So, I ate even less fat (down to 5% of total calories). My blood chemistry did not improve.

Fortunately, I changed cardiologists and found that for about 25% of the population the low-fat diet of Ornish's approach actually triggers worse heart disease. This group has an inherited condition that causes small-particle LDL syndrome, a deadly condition that at least triples heart attack risk. (Patients with this condition are said to have Pattern B LDL subclass.) Even the staid American Heart Association last year recognized that for these patients, it is better to change the types of fat a patient eats (switching from saturated fats to monounsaturated fats) rather than drastically reducing fat intake.

Ornish ignores this phenomenon with the comment that some patients don't respond to his treatment. Not responding and getting worse are very different things. I would think that Ornish would at least avail himself of the advanced cholesterol testing that would identify patients who have genetically-caused small-particle LDL syndrome BEFORE treating them with a low-fat diet.

The rabid, no-fat-low-fat mantra may work for some patients, but for those who "don't respond", it is deadly, as proven by several scientific studies. In fact, two recent studies by the University of California at Berkeley showed that even normal men (who did not have heart disease and who did not have small-particle LDL syndrome) began producing large amounts of small LDL particles when put on a low-fat diet. 41% of the test group converted to the deadly disease state in six weeks, thus tripling their heart attack risk.

For those with these inherited killer genes, a completely different approach is necessary. But most important, it's necessary to first use advanced cholesterol testing (sometimes called cholesterol subclass testing) to find out if a patient has the genetically-induced form of heart disease that responds badly to a low-fat diet. This testing is different than the oft-given cholesterol panel that shows HDL and LDL. Such panels are highly inaccurate in determining the presence of small-particle LDL syndrome.

Without advanced cholesterol testing, both heart patients and normal individuals who adopt a low-fat diet are playing Russian Roulette. The good news is that for those who have small-particle LDL syndrome, proper treatment can reverse coronary blockage without drugs or surgery. I know. I have this disease and after I got worse with Ornish's diet, my cardiologist and I watched my coronary blockage melt away with an approach that is totally different from what Ornish recommends.

I read this book when it first came out, shortly after I was told I would be dead in two years. I followed it and am fine, my heart has not got any worse, and other factors of my health have improved

I am buying this book to send to a friend who is stressed out. I am also sending her his other excellent book, "Reversing Heart Disease..."