The Moon Juice Cookbook: Cook Cosmically for Body, Beauty, and Consciousness Hardcover – Illustrated, October 25, 2016

first became aware of Moon juice though a blog I follow and though I am not luck enough to be close enough to the store to shop in person; have slowly but surely been trying out some of their various different potions such as beauty, brain and dream dust, made of adaptogenic herbs. So when I saw the book, I knew I had to have it. If nothing else for the fact that as the Amazon sneak peak reveals, it is loaded with simply breathtaking photography!Hopefully when you purchase this cookbook, you will be familiar with the Moon Juice brand and not be surprised by the recipes and the ingredients they feature. This is not a cookbook with which one can shop in a local grocery store, heck even Whole Foods would be a long shot for some items -though to be fair there are plenty of others that use easily sourced ingredients such as chia seeds, nuts, milks, coconut. But there are also recipes that call for Kombu strips, lucuma powder, mesquite powder and colloidal silver. I write this not to discourage potential buyers, but just so they are aware what they are getting into before a purchase. There are also more than 75 recipes so you can be sure to find things that appeal to your tastes, pantry or cooking ability.The premise of the book is food as medicine which is something I have always strongly believed in. It is plant based and begins with a story of the author, plagued by sickness as a child, given medicine as a remedy, with still no resolution. Years later, though experimenting with food and herbs learned that these can be just as much, if not more of a remedy in helping us look and feel our best. The book also, importantly, takes us away from healthy being a quick fix to more of a lifelong journey.With that we being with the 10 pillars of the moon kitchen, which include consuming good fats, enjoying cultured and fermented foods, and eating organic. There is an incredible guide to “High functioning foods” - foods that can detoxify, provide immunity, boost metabolism, brain food, Inflammation tamer – I found this fascinating and different from traditional guides. There is a kitchen guide -equipment to have, pantry staples (note, as expected a juicer and dehydrator are both suggested pieces to own).Then we go to the recipes: Juices (cucumber pineapple jalapeno was amazing, with a kick that reminded me of my favorite cocktail only far healthier); milks, Moon milks, shakes and lattes, and I really liked the simplified recipe for Golden milk which is something I currently drink nightly, albeit with a store bought powder, so this is easy and cheaper. Then broth bowls, yoghurt, cheese and Kefir; Fermented vegetables, cosmic provisions (think snacks and basics.We finish on a sweet note with the bakery section, raw of course and raw chocolate which beings with cacao paste and butter but serves as a base for so many fun recipes.As this book states, it is not an ordinary cookbook, its an alchemist cookbook, think of combining lots of sometimes unusual but high functioning foods to deliver tasty outcomes that heal. It is for the adventurous cook, someone looking beyond the basic raw cookbook and someone that want to experiment making potions that sooth, heal and target specific health functions. It’s a bit like a mad chemistry book in parts but I love the originality, the story and the stunning pictures. One for the coffee table or the kitchen!

First, this book is BEAUTIFUL. Aesthetically, the pictures are gorgeous and should inspire you to aim to recreate whatever culinary creation is highlighted, be it a moon milk or cosmic provision. In the same vein, I feel that you could buy this book for the pictures alone and be equally happy. That said, given that this is a COOKBOOK: I was pleasantly surprised by the collection and variety of recipes curated. Our family has since moved from LA, but when we lived there, we were frequent patrons of both the Venice and Silverlake locations. Now in Colorado, I continue to purchase via their online store, but am limited to (mostly) dry goods. Thus, I was extremely excited when I heard of the cookbook, and immediately pre-ordered earlier this summer. My ONLY concern was that perhaps, the ingredients called for would be too exotic or simply inaccessible. However, upon receiving the cookbook, I was delighted to discover that many of the ingredients are already in my pantry! Since receiving the book, I have recreated many of my favorite moon milks, and couldn't be happier with this purchase!Just a quick disclaimer: this cookbook is likely not intended for everyone. Albeit, I own a Vitamix, dehydrator and juicer- and keep bags of maca and lucuma stocked away in my pantry. But, I'm not a perfect eater, and I have picky toddlers, so many nights are more pizza than kelp, but that's okay! And, I think that's one demographic this book appeals to; Chantal Bacon does not scold you nor seek to create a version of perfectionism, but rather, she spends time detailing how incorporating just a little "moon juice" in your daily life can reap enormous benefits.I cannot recommend this book enough!

Confession: I'm obsessed with this book! Everything about it appeals to the senses, from the delicious recipes to the beautiful photographs - even the cover feels like velvet in your hands. I love her holistic approach to food and wellness, and tips for making the most of every ingredient. I haven't incorporated all of it (specifically dehydrating pulps, nuts, etc), but baby steps are okay. Many of the powders can be found on Amazon or other online sources. Finding raw nuts is the maybe the biggest challenge here in the US. Otherwise, it's about investing time in your own wellness, and savoring the process of preparing the juices, milks, and other recipes.

Great cookbook and great advice on the essentials you need in the kitchen to cook on an everyday level! I find myself experimenting in the kitchen daily and honestly viewing ourselves as alchemists in the kitchen is the best way to put it. No body is a great chef but at the same time everybody is also a great chef, it just starts with experimenting to cook anything. These recipes not only invoke the goodness of herbs & adaptogens in our diet but the recipes are also invoke creativity in the kitchen. They are all simple and attainable ingredients and I really like how Amanda also focusing on less consumption, less waste, and less plastic use which is always an important aspect. Use this book as a resource for many thing in life and in the kitchen. I also really enjoy the no coffee recipe

Bacon has an audience in mind: Upscale, mostly white women into healthy and clean living. There is nothing wrong with that, and many of her recipes are really good. However, please keep in mind that many of these things won't be found in most grocery stores. That's not a problem for me since I am in many ways a lot like her audience and had many of these things already. Still, be warned if want simple and are on a budget.