The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet: Eat Plants, Lose Weight, Save Your Health

I've been vegan for almost four years and have a small collection of plant-based nutrition books and cookbooks, but had never bought an Engine 2 book before. I picked this up at a friend's suggestion (she had told me about the free Facebook support group) and because I had seen some of the recipes in the daily emails the Engine 2 group sent, and am so glad I did. If you're new to plant-based eating, there is a lot to learn here, but even if you're been vegan for awhile, this has really good advice for moving to a whole-foods diet, and the recipes are tasty and easy!If you decide to follow the seven-day plan, you won't be eating dairy, eggs, meat, or any oils (including oil and coconut oils) or drinking any alcohol, and you'll be limiting your fats to just walnuts, small amounts of avocados, and the fats that exist naturally in plant foods. You're also meant to minimize your salt and sugar intakes.The recipes are based on the foundation of building oatmeal-based bowls or waffles for breakfast, and then bowls, soups, or open-faced sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Since one of the rules is to not drink your calories, there are no smoothie or juice recipes.Part I of the book (which comprises the first 176 pages) is where the author outlines the programs, and he draws upon the latest studies to explain why a plant-based diet is so healthy. He takes the time to de-bunk the myths that you can't get enough calcium or protein from plants. Although I knew most of this information, it was a helpful review, and if you're new to plant-based eating, I think that the information can help alleviate any worries you might have about meeting your nutritional needs from plants.Part II (pages 177-279) contains a more detailed overview of what you can eat during the seven days, as well as quite a few recipes to get you started. So far, all of the recipes I've tried have been great -- and they are so easy to put together.If you're worried about having to cook a lot, in Part II, they explain the idea behind batch cooking, where you can spend a few hours on the weekend roasting veggies, cooking quinoa, making oatmeal, etc. I've found that this method really helps keep me on track for the week, and the book makes it very simple and easy to do.They also give you a sample template of their recipes for seven days, so you have three meals a day that you can eat from the book, without having to put too much time into outlining what you'll be eating this week.If you're on Facebook, definitely check out the support group. Several nutritionists check in there, and everyone who posts offers great tips, especially if you're new to this way of eating.Although, as I mentioned at the start of my review, I've been vegan for almost four years and am a health and fitness nut for the most part, I have a bad sweet tooth, and so this book has given me a much-needed way to re-boot my eating and cut out excess sugar and processed food. I've only dipped my toe into the eating plan, so to speak, and have just been trying a few recipes, but my hope is to be diligent about following the plan for seven days, and, when I do, I will be sure to update my review with my results.

One of my friends recommended this book after I commented on his weight loss. I started a month ago and have lost 8 lbs so far, eating brown rice, beans, baked potatoes, most vegetables, certain bread. It's an easy conversion because I'm never hungry for long--I can always have a baked potato dipped in that Sweet Fire Dressing and I'm happy.

a great book to read for info and encouragement to try healthy eating

Lots of information in an easy to read format with lots of receipes.

This is a great starter book and you should buy it and read it.That being said, here are a couple of things I noted:* Too many of Rip' s own products are listed, especially with his rescue flats. These are only available at Whole Foods and Rip lists many of their store-branded products as well. These may not be bad products, but....* Ketchup. Almost all commercially available ketchup have high amounts of sugar and salt. Hmmm....* Refined grains. Rip suggests many refined whole-grain products. I personally am in favor of LESS of these (intact whole grains).* Food quality. Rip pays minimal lip service to food quality (organic, non-GMO, locally sourced, BPA laden packaging, etc.).* Maple syrup. This is not a whole food and thus does not contain the balancing effect that truly unprocessed foods provide. As with overt fats, people can get carried away without even realizing it until it is too late.* Hot sauce. Almost all commercial hot sauces have salt added. And many also have sugar added!* Orange juice. This lacks the fiber that nature naturally packages for us in an orange. So it is dangerous for many of us to having sitting around when we only need 1/2 cup for a recipe. For his food processor recipes, a few orange slices might be a better option.Just things to be aware of and these are generally just related to the recipes. Enjoy!

This is one of about 6 books we bought that were authored by Rip E. and John McDougall, MD. What they say has proved to be true for us. We have been doing this for 5 months and it has become our new eating lifestyle. If you read many of their books, get the most recent ones. A lot of the medical information is similar, but updated, BUT all the books have recipes and the more recent books have simpler and tastier recipes than earlier books. Having all those recipes from which to choose has made this diet easy to follow. Once we got the hang of it, we began to experiment making our own healthful and tasty recipes. It is like an adventure for us -- something we never got into as a couple in our 40+ years of marriage. Our old way was mostly woman in the kitchen and man pouring cereal or out at the BarBQ grill.I think it was easiest to do because we both did this diet together. We eased into it by studying and experimenting a little at a time over a period of one or two months before we were confident that we could live with this as our family diet going 'full time'.Side note: I guarantee that if you drop meat, dairy, oils and eliminate sugary and fried salty foods as much as possible, you can eat mostly organic healthy food from good quality grocery stores and you will notice that your food bills are LOWER.Bon appetite, and enjoy your life more!!

Seriously, I was 265, tried every diet, but this book Actually tells you how to eat the most healthy way possible. Without a doubt this book if you follow it you will lose weight and you will lose fat and you will have tremendous amounts of energy. I now use Facebook as a template for how I’m going to eat for the rest of my life I feel amazing my workouts are long and I do not get tired at all!

Really interesting book. Learning a lot of new things. Will probably start rescue plan soon. Worth buying.

If you can get your head around giving up meat and dairy to lose weight and quickly improve health, this is the book to get. 7 days is quick to see and feel results. The recipes are hard core, but not impossible to comply with for such a short time. My hypertension was the main concern and dropped into normal range. I love grilled meats, salt, butter and crusty white baguettes but not having to take medications life long to control a condition that otherwise can be managed with lifestyle change. The book gives excellent advice in the first half and good easy recipes in the latter part. Just be sure to prepare your kitchen and source good quality produce so the results will be delicious as you adjust to giving up beloved foods.

Best gift ever for my son the firefighter. Due to his fitness program at work… He brought it to the firehall and they are all enjoying it!!Definitely a 🔥 hot item!!

This is an excellent book! You can customize to what you like with so many options. This book makes sense.Easy to follow and gives you so many ideas and choices. We are loving it. We are on day 3.

Great book. Written in a no-nonsense manner but easy to understand. Fun and delicious recipes. Many success stories. Be sure to connect with their Facebook page for tremendous support.