Teen's Vegetarian Cookbook

The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook
Judy Krizmanic
Published by Puffin, 1999; ISBN 0140385061
Recommended reading age: Young Adult

Summary:
Although vegetarian options have come a long way since 1999, Judy Krizmanic’s book remains a useful tool for new vegetarian teens. The cookbook includes recipes and cooking tips, as well as a helpful nutrition chart. These pages will ease parents’ minds when they wonder how their child is getting enough protein, calcium, or iron. The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook should be a staple for teens just learning to eat vegetarian, as well as for their parents.

Review:
As Judy Krizmanic writes, “side dishes can get pretty boring after awhile.” As a vegetarian, it’s important to know how to cook your own entrees. More often than not, a vegetarian is left to his or her own devices in the kitchen. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to this predicament since they may be used to family dinners and mom-cooked meals. Knowing how to cook for themselves (or how to ask Mom and Dad what to cook) is vital to a teenager’s health and well-being. I became vegetarian at the end of high school, and vegan soon after. My mom’s initial reaction was to panic. But after reading through recipes and nutrition tips, we both adapted to a new way of cooking. The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook came in especially handy in the dorm kitchen.