Raw Food for Real People: Living Vegan Food Made Simple
Rod Rotondi
(New World Library, 2009; hard-cover, $24.95; see www.newworldlibrary.com for more.)

Author, teacher, and leading chef in the raw-food movement, Rod Rotondi advocates the health and energy of raw foods in this easy to follow book. He includes not only the basics of why raw food is better for you but how it can be prepared simply, deliciously and with fun. To this end, he presents many excellent recipes, some with full-color photos.

I appreciated that Rod understands not everyone is ready to go fully raw. He explains his views of why raw is better than cooked and how to make the transition (if you are ready) to a raw-eating lifestyle. He also addresses some very real obstacles, such as how to deal with food addictions, how to set up a raw kitchen, and how to bring raw eating to your family. I also liked that Rod included many international twists to some of his recipes; included, for example, were gazpacho, falafels, hummus and even a version of pad thai. 

Although my family and I are not vegan and do not follow a raw diet, I did incorporate some of Rod’s recipes into our morning and evening meals. We all liked the smoothies and found many of the soups surprisingly wonderful. The dessert I tried (Chocolate Brownie Sundae) got less than stellar reviews, though I fear the chocolate connoisseurs who live here will never be swayed by a substitute mixture of agave powder, raw cacao powder and soaked raisins. But that’s okay — and it points out another good feature of this book. Rod’s advice, suggestions and recipes are helpful not just for those who want to go totally raw, but also for those who would like to try it out, experiment a bit, and add some healthier dishes to their culinary repertoire. 

~Review by Robyn Shanner

Reiki for the Heart and Soul: The Reiki Principles as Spiritual Pathwork
Amy Z. Rowland
(Healing Arts Press, 2008; soft-cover, $19.95; see www.innertraditions.com for more.)

Many people know Reiki as a gentle yet powerful healing technique that encourages the flow of Universal energy throughout the body. There are many talented Reiki workers and teachers in the world, and many books have been written on the subject. Amy Rowland’s book is different, however, in that it is not so much about Reiki techniques or the benefits of Reiki as it is about using the basic principles of Reiki as a commitment to personal and spiritual growth.

Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, outlined the five core concepts upon which “The Secret Method of Inviting Happiness” was based. As these are often translated, “Just for today: do not anger; do not worry; be grateful, show appreciation; do an honest day’s work; be kind.” Rowland, a certified Reiki Master, counselor and hypnotherapist, explores each of these concepts in depth, with stories and ideas of how to more deeply integrate these underlying teachings into one’s daily life.

Easy to read, with a spacious layout and many black and white photos (showing hand and body positions), this book is intended for Reiki students and practitioners of all ages and abilities. Rowland obviously does write from the heart, offering many helpful suggestions and practical ideas on how to attune and deepen ourselves — and thus discover a happier, healthier way of being in the world.