Ten hut!
When my friend, Alisa, asked me to review her cookbook for her, I excitedly agreed to the task. A well-known cookbook written by someone I actually know and given to me for free?!
But Alisa’s book, Go Dairy Free, is so much more than a cookbook. It also boasts:
- An extensive guide to dairy substitutes and how to use them in recipes
- A checklist of possible dairy-derived ingredients
- A chapter devoted to meeting one’s calcium needs on a dairy-less diet
- Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions
- Tips for traveling and eating out whilst maintaining one’s dairy-free diet
As someone who’s already been living dairy-free for the past eight years, I didn’t glean much new information from these chapters. Admittedly, I dove straight into the recipe section. However, this book is a terrific resource for a new vegan or for someone who has just discovered he/she is allergic to dairy or is lactose-intolerant. 
My sister’s friend, for example, recently embarked on a dairy-free quest (at the suggestion of her doctor) in an attempt to ease her stomachaches. (She says the results of her experiment have been amazing– not a single stomachache in two weeks!!) Over Spring Break, I lent her the above book, and she informed me that it was the most helpful resource she’s ever read. She especially loved the section on dairy-free substitutions, as she’d previously thought she would have to give up favorite foods like French Toast, pancakes, cream sauce, and chocolate. (What?! No chocolate???!!!) But after reading Go Dairy Free, she discovered that it’s really not so difficult to live without animal products; nowadays, there are delicious substitutions for everything from ice cream to cream cheese.
So, Alisa, not only do I thank you for sending me this book, my sister’s friend thanks you too. You’ve made her life– and (I’m sure) the lives of many others– so much easier and more enjoyable!
As for the recipes, I’ll report on them at a later date. First, I need to get the book back from a certain someone 
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Y’all, I am such a major dork. Currently, the giveaway is set to end on April 12th. Ummm yeah, just realized that April 12th is Easter! Oops. Therefore, I’m changing the end date to April 10th. Reeeeeaally sorry for the confusion; usually I’m more organized than this. Get with it, CCV!
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So, if you’re planning on entering the contest–or making a recipe for two extra entries–you have until April 10th. To recap, here’s what the TWO winners of the giveaway will receive:
The winners will also receive a set of chopsticks (explanation here) and a bag of these little guys.
At press time, I’ve emailed everyone who’s entered the contest, so if you didn’t receive a reply to your entry, it’s probably because my email’s acting wacky again.
Sorry for the lack of commenting on other blogs (as usual). But– also as usual– I soooo appreciate all the comments you all leave on my posts!!!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
That book looks fantastic! It’s something that would be great for a friend of mine who just found out she’s lactose intolerant! OH and I made some blended strawberry oats the other day with some protein powder, strawberries, and almond butter…you’re a GENIUS!
That book looks so amazing! I’m so glad you pointed it out to us. I can’t wait to share this with all of my friends who are lactose intolerant! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Sounds like a good resource for those who want/need to give up dairy foods for some reason. Even though I have no need/desire to do so, I still like hearing about and reading books on ways to make your favourite foods without some ingredients you think are necessary. Always good when you don’t have those ingredients in the kitchen! (That’s why I like vegan baking – I don’t eat eggs, so I rarely have them. When I want to bake something, I go and buy them, and end up throwing a bunch out. Vegan baking = no eggs. Works for me!)
Thanks for the book review–I might just have to check it out!
Awesome review CCV!!! Maybe one day ya sister will hopped on the vegan bandwagon with ya!
Oh Katie, don’t worry about the date confusion – I don’t blame ya for it! Must be all that school work on ya mind … or WF boy …. 
Congratulations, Alisa! And thanks for the post, Katie
thanks for the review! it’s so cool that your friend wrote a book…
I think i’m one of those who didn’t got the email. ( I didn’t send you with answers, but I did linked it and did a recipe of yours)
I’ve heard great things about that book – right on!
I’ve gotta grab that books. Looks faboo. Hope your busy self is doing well. Love your blog, as always. Makes me smile when I see a new post in my Reader. Btw…thanks for turning me on to the Google Reader. It has changed my bloggy life!
Hi Katie,
When I decided to go dairy free to see if my tummy aches and other troubles would go away, that book was a bible!! Still is!!! I love it! I use it all the time. My mom read the intro and then looked at me and said “this sounds just like you!” Great review!
I have that book! I haven’t made any recipes yet but everything looks terrific!
How many times have I been entered? I’m not sure if you told me in our last e-mail.
I will certainly be looking into that book, it looks very interesting.
I need to get myself in gear for your contest! Life has been nutty lately.
Alisa’s book IS great! I use it as a resource for my clients all the time. Somehow, they believe what I say a little more readily when they see it in print. Of all the things I have given up over the years, dairy is for sure the one I miss the least (if at all).
Katie,
Alisa’s book looks great! I’ll have to check and see if I can flip through it at Barnes and Noble today.
Can’t wait to hear about the contest results!
With Love,
Emily
After hearing more and more great things about this book, I bought Go Dairy Free a few weeks ago. I love it The secions on how to make your own dairy free substitutes is absolutely fantastic, and great for showing that a vegan/dairy free lifestyle is NOT restricted and NOT boring. What I love about most of the recipes is that they use egg substitutes even when eggs could be used. This goes to show that even if you’re not vegan, you don’t have to load your food up with animal products. I think there is only one recipe in the entire book that isn’t vegan (contains eggs, and unfortunately it appears that you can’t get the same result without the egg – but I’m sure someone will soon crack that!).
i need to take a look at that book
I’m glad its ending earlier
-E
Nice “Go Dairy Free” review I bought the book and was amazed by the info. and the recipes but a bit sad by the lack of (hannah Kaminsky) photos… can’t wait to hear recipes reviews!
i really want to check out that book, i have heard such good things about it!
YAY for awesome free books to review! I love the cover with the chocolate ice cream on the bottom. *drool*
As for the date confusion – cut down on the Vitameatavegamin, Katie!
Yay! I just got a book from Alisa and I can’t wait to start reading
I have always seen that book at Borders and it has always intrigued me. If its that good though I’m wondering if I should get it for my boyfriend (Hes not lactose-intolerent, but actually allergic to milk products. I never heard of it myself until I met him). I love his parents but they only knew about soymilk (and didn’t really ever think about putting it in baked goods or cooking besides mashed potatoes) until he met me. I have certainly expanding his food horizons through my random forays into vegan baking and my obsession with Whole Foods, but that book sounds like a great resource with stuff that I never would of thought of or known about! Thanks for the heads up about that book!