The past decade has brought a huge surge of interest to the vegan diet, and for good reason, vegans have some good legs to stand on. Animal rights and the environment come to mind first, but some vegan authors are beginning to recognize that many of us are a bit egocentric, and to really hit home it may be best to target a more personal angle – health.

Mark Bittman of vegetarian cookbook fame has jumped on this bandwagon by promoting his “Vegan before 6pm” concept, but simply cutting out animal products isn’t going to guarantee you a healthy diet. Contrary to popular belief, it is actually quite easy to follow an unhealthy and less environmental vegan diet. Those vegan cupcakes, loaded with sugar and dairy-free margarine will do little to reduce your risk for diabetes or widdle your waistline. And, why do you think there is such a big demand for packaged vegan convenience foods? Sure, some are relatively virtuous, but many pre-packaged goodies lack substantial nutrition and may even contain other evils such as hydrogenated oils and loads of processed ingredients. To gain the full health benefits of the vegan diet, consider starting with (or advancing to) one of these informational books:

June 12, 2010 – HORSHAM, PA  - Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. is recalling Bimbo brand Soft White Bread (1 lb. 4 oz. or 567 grams) sold in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy to milk run the risk of life threatening or serious allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The product being recalled has a red band of color above the clear bag window on the front of bread bag and square lock tab closures in the colors and dates as follows:

• white tab - 6/14 or 6/21
• blue tab - 6/15
• tan tab - 6/17
• green tab - 6/18
• red tab - 6/20

Have you ever wondered what a Betty Crocker cookbook might look like if "Betty" decided to consider that some of her readers might have dietary restrictions? Though the face at left may not look like a Betty Crocker housewife, it is pretty darn cute ... and it represents one of the many adaptable recipes in a new cookbook A Bite of Heaven: A Family Cookbook with a Mix of Traditional & Allergen Free Recipes for Pleasure & Health by Torie Christensen.

This cookbook is a "traditional" one, with recipes that will please non-restricted guests. However, Torie explains that unlike Betty's books, "This cookbook includes many fun and easy recipes to please eaters of all types: adaptable dairy, gluten, egg, and/or nut free as needed."

Keep in mind that this isn't a complete free-from cookbook - many of the recipes are "adaptable" to cater to both restrictive and non-restrictive diets. Below are some stats on A Bite of Heaven, and to offer an example of what is within, Torie shared with us this adorable Strawberry Pig Muffin recipe ...

Frugal Foodie Friday: When reviewing Becoming Raw: The Essential Guide to Raw Vegan Diets (talk about a dense read!) I decided to give a couple of the recipes a go, including the Liquid Gold Salad Dressing. It was definitely unique. Not a blend I would have concocted if left to my own devices, yet it worked. It was surprisingly mellow compared to other vinaigrettes – lightly sweet, lightly savory, and lightly pungent. I'm not a big lemon juice fan, so I subbed the juice with apple cider vinegar (I actually think this may go better with the flavors) and did a little ratio adjusting.

Part of the point of this nutritious dressing is getting your Omega-3's, hence the hemp oil, hemp milk, and flaxseed. But, if hemp products aren't in your budget, you can use another good quality oil (even EVOO) and your favorite plain or unsweetened milk alternative.

Anyway, Becoming Raw is really about far more than recipes, it is a bible for anyone considering a partially or fully raw diet. You can read my full review of the book here on Go Dairy Free ... but, how about that modified salad dressing recipe ... hmmm? View the recipe on my personal recipe blog, One Frugal Foodie.