Own Your Health: How to Live Long and Avoid Chronic Illness

I love chef AJ, and I’m sure this book will be good but on the very first page of the first chapter, the author felt the need to make disparaging comments about our federal government. Very, very disappointed in the political spin right out of the gate.

I love this book! The author's honest and humorous style is extremely refreshing. He doesn't pull any punches about our medical system and he backs up everything he says with the latest science. The science about human nutrition has been settled (thank you for saying so!) and this book makes that abundantly clear. The fact that our medical system and our culture has not yet caught up with the science is for us to change - hence, the title "Own Your Health"! The recipes are a real bonus but the text is fabulous on it's own. I feel vindicated for all the times I have questioned the advice from doctors or refused to participate in their "protocols". I started calling most doctors "protocolologists" since they just want to make you do all the same tests and take all the same drugs that have become normalized - because they prescribe them, not because they are actually helpful. Read the book - it's worth every minute, you'll learn a lot and have a good laugh in the process!

As a seasoned reader of books that promote a plant-based lifestyle, I found Merzer's book quite refreshing and unique. Not only does he cover in sufficient detail the science-based research pointing to the superior benefits of living this lifestyle for not only us and the animals that are eaten, and for the environment in which we live, but he does this in a very personal and humorous way. When Ed Begley, Jr. on the back cover said this is "the funniest book on diet you'll ever read," I must admit, I anticipated that Ed was most likely exaggerating. I stand to be corrected; it was the funniest and most enjoyable diet book I've ever read. Once starting it, I had trouble putting it down! Also, as always, Chef AJ and friends have created what appear to be some beautiful recipes, which we look forward to trying out in the future. Thanks Glen and Chef AJ!

The author conveys with lots of scientific backup how our American food choices are unnecessarily killing us. The topic is deadly serious. Yet Glen Merzer lays out our current dire situation and the case to improve it with a mixture of tongue-in-cheek comments and laugh-out-loud humor. Never has learning how to save your own life been so much fun. If you or a loved one is suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer or would like to avoid having these diseases in the future, get this book. As you learn how to take control of your health, you will enjoy the read. And the recipes in the book by Chef AJ and friends look great. I can't wait to try them.

Merzer writes in an easy to understand style. He is humorous but dead serious as he explains the facts about our health. So many Americans are obese and/or have preventable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, etc. He illustrates the fact that the science proves unequivocally that all these diseases are because of what we eat. The problem is that we are brainwashed by most doctors, nutrition institutions or advisors who have the science but refuse to abide by and tell us the facts. They believe people will not go strictly whole food plant based so they just tell people to eat less red meat or fewer animal products. This, Merzer explains, is why we are the fattest and sickest nation in human history. Thank you for this in depth look at why people are in the dark when it comes to having optimal health devoid of chronic diseases. I just bought 6 more paperbacks to send to my family and friends who still believe eating animal flesh, eggs and dairy are good for us! The recipes from Chef AJ look really great. i loved the Creamy Dill Mustard Potato Salad.

It is important to understand both your psychological and physical interactions with food. This book nourishes both qbody and soul. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel after stoking your personal furnace with high quality foods! I have been mostly vegetarian for many years, and have never come across such easy, interesting recipe suggestions. Thank you for making these important lifestyle changes both simple and delicious!

The author Glen Merzer illuminates the importance of healthy eating as part of his underlying premise that people need to own their health rather than relying on medical mis-information. One of the best features of the book is that he draws upon his own family experiences making the information more relatable. He writes with clarity and humor and provides real insight into the science behind healthy eating. No one can read this book without understanding Glen's central thesis on the centrality of a plant-based diet in promoting health. This volume is an important work for all; for vegans, for those thinking about it and even for those who like more traditional diets.

So let me start out by saying I admire and respect Chef AJ. But this is not her best work. The story by the main author, Glen Merzer, is funny, entertaining and worth the read. I love the part where he told his Mom he was a vegan, and she replied, "what took you so long to figure that out." She goes on to explain her comment in a delightful manner that I will leave to you to read. His wife's story is also great reading.As for the recipes, well, they are just okay. I've made a few recipes and they are okay... not great, but not horrible. Nothing particularly creative, or that you can't find on the internet somewhere else. My biggest complaint is that too many recipes feature cauliflower as a sub for potatoes. I'm sorry, for me, mashed cauliflower DOES NOT taste or replace mashed potatoes. Nor do they replace the mouthfeel of creamy foods. If it works for you, great! Then perhaps you will like this book.I heartily recommend Cathy Fisher's "Straight Up Food" (also SOS) over this cookbook. I have never been disappointed by Cathy's recipes. You can try many for free at her website, also called Straight Up Food.

I have been waiting for this book to come out. It is really worth the wait. Easy to read, full of entertaining anecdotes and information even a well seasoned plant eater will find interesting, creative recipes and new twists on old favourites - Chef AJ and Glen deliver yet again. Plus, I was in time for the bonus audio and the extra bits, promptly delivered via email, great for listening while I run. Highly recommend to anyone interested in healthy plant based eating and beyond.

The main theme of this book is to chriticize everyone in the health and nutrition industry. He has no qualifications in the medical field, the nutrition field or any other health issues. He's an author writing a book to make money. I'm amazed that Chef AJ would be part of this type of book!

It’s a light read. I didn’t feel the author did very much research and although I’m already in the WFPB camp, if I wasn’t, I don’t think this book would have converted me.The recipes I’ve tried are quite tasty.

I received the book I ordered, "Own Your Health: How to Live Long and Avoid Chronic Illness" today and it arrived on the day it was expected. I love the recipes and can't wait to try them.

If you eat a whole foods plant based diet, this is book offers many good recipes.