The 22-Day Revolution: The Plant-Based Program That Will Transform Your Body, Reset Your Habits, and Change Your Life Hardcover – April 28, 2015

It is so hard to make the transition from a traditional diet to plant based diet, but this book provides a weekly shopping list and easy to follow menus. The program does take more prep time, however running to pick up fast food or going to lunch also takes time. Time preparing the plant based meal options is time well spent. I'm not a morning person, however within a day of making the change, I was able to get up an hour and a half earlier to add exercise to my morning routine. The uncomfortableness in my stomach disappeared and it feels good to be a little hungry and look forward to the next meal instead of eating mindlessly.I am a Registered Nurse who previously worked on a cardiac floor at a hospital. I now work for a health and wellbeing company that supports plant based diets and disease prevention. I have seen firsthand how people lower blood pressure, improve heart health, lose weight, and lower A1c with lifestyle management including a plant based diet and exercise. As far as the cost of fresh fruits and vegetable, I see many people who pay $300-$700 a month for preventable diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. I'd rather pay a little more for real foods.Yesterday my coworkers had a surprise birthday potluck for me at work. As Registered Nurses who work for a health and wellbeing company, I would think that some of the food would be healthy, however we had noodles, fried chicken, cake, and ice cream. Today I feel like I have a food hangover. It was hard to wake up, even 2 hours later than I have been getting up and my abdomen feels bloated. I want to remember this feeling, because when I doubt that I am making the right choice, I want to think about how good my body feels on a plant based diet and how I no longer have a feeling of fatigue throughout the day. I make the meals for myself and my husband, however he sometimes adds a chicken breast to the meal. I have seen that he is slowly transitioning away from the adding animal proteins and even takes plant based meals for lunch.I’m so excited to find a very easy to follow plan that includes an introduction by Dr. Dean Ornish. Dr. Ornish is a name that I respect and I know that he know is committed to improving heart health. The book is so easy to read and Marco Borges provides real stories about people who have made the change, difficulties they faces, and how it changed their lives.

Love this book!Pros: I never knew how to make the switch over to veganism without combing the right foods together to ensure proper nutrition, this book does it for you! Other books I read on being a vegan left me feeling overwhelmed and confused, so I walked away from it. Marco has made it so easy. Reciepes are easy. Flavor of foods is great! Love how it's broken out week by week a shopping list and day by day meal plan!You will need to take the time to prepare the meals but they can be done in 5-30 mins or less. As far as the serving sizes go, I understand why he didn't put servings, because a 200+ lb guy will eat much more than I can. Depending on the reciepe it can make so much more than what I need for the one day. My advice . . . FREEZE IT! Then when you get too busy to make the next days meal, you already have something in the freezer to fall back on. That's what I'm doing. I also plan to purchase 1 week of his meal delivery service food to do the same with . . . as I never know what life will throw at me each day and if I will have the ability to prepare all three meals.Cons: None!Cons: None!

For those who are familiar with and/or are fans of Hungry for Change or Food Matters (both were free on Netflix for a long time) the dietary suggestions in this book will come as no surprise. Go vegan/organic, it's better for the planet, it's better for you.The Pros:At just two days into this book and its suggested dietary regime I cannot attest to any weight loss but I can say that the food overall has been good and very filling. With the caveat that I don't eat much meat to start with (except sushi) and already had incorporated a good deal of green and fresh vegetables into my families diet. There is no way I could begin to eat the portions allowed per meal and I have already discovered several fun new recipes that I will use long term. In addition, my toddlers are trying some great new foods that are good for them and they like that were not formally a part of my repertoire.The Cons:I am used to cooking lentils and quinoa, I also have access to a Whole Foods. If this does not describe you, you may find that the recipes are a bit brief (cook lentils to desired consistency). The first challenge for many will be to find the right lentils at the local grocery store, then figure out what the heck the consistency of lentils should be. Suggestion, Google if need be or YouTube cooking videos, also plan ahead that many of the ingredients may have to be bought on Amazon and delivered. Second major problem is cooking time, lunch may need to be planned carefully as it can take up to an hour to prepare the lunchtime dish (which is generally the heaviest of the day). It also requires carefully reviewing what you are eating the next day as some dishes require overnight preparation (soaking beans, letting chia pudding set.) So for those of us lacking a personal chef like Beyonce just be prepared to plan and cook.I gave the book for stars because I felt that it wasn't contributing significantly regarding groundbreaking dietary ideas and for the several cons listed above. That being said I think it is a great way for individuals and families to try a healthier diet, with some yummy food, regardless of their other health or weight loss goals. In addition Mr. Borges seems passionate about his subject which is something that I can appreciate in an author.

This book has been a game changer. I've been trying to lose a stubborn ten pounds that came on from seemingly out of the blue. After only 10 days I've lost eight pounds and feel great. I have more energy. My skin feels great, and as a usual meat eater I'm not even hungry because of the complex carbs that are plentiful. I'm looking forward to the remainder of this diet and making a long term lifestyle change. I don't think I'll be able to give up seafood forever, so some may sneak in from time to time. But this is a doable plan that has you looking and feeling great. I love the recipes and the weekly shopping lists as a great addition.