This book, by the editors of Martha Stewart Living, is, as it says so obviously on the back cover, more than just a cookbook. But even with the advertising I wasn’t expecting it to have as much as it does.

In plain language, Clean Slate guides the reader through eleven golden rules that everyone seeking to live a clean, healthful life should follow in regards to their diet. These rules are obvious tips as well as not-so-obvious mantras, such as eating mindfully and paying attention to how you feel. There are lots of pages of magazine-article-style (but with all the credibility of a scientific health book) guides to different types of foods, such as inflammation fighters, smart swaps, and flavor enhancers. Then, in the name of being “clean,” there are two simple cleanse plans, with recommendations and recipe suggestions, though if you are completely new to eating fresh, clean foods, you may need a little more guidance than what is given on these short pages.

Clean Slate recommends a plant-based diet, which I agree is the best way to eat to ensure good health. Their actions live up to their words, as the recipes feature mostly fruits and veggies and lean meat, and red meat can not even be found in the pages of the book. I love that refined sugar is also absent from the recipes, and only natural sweeteners are used. There are even icons that tell you if a recipe is vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, and/or gluten-free! How easy is that!

For eating clean, especially a plant-based diet without refined sugar, the recipes I’m used to finding are typically a little lifeless. Not so in Clean Slate! There are tons of meals and snacks I want to try, such as watercress and potato soup, beet white bean hummus, and coconut water ice pops. Actually, now that I think about it, pretty much all the recipes in the book look delicious and healthy! Heck, they even make caramelized fennel, celery, and sardine pasta look appetizing! There are even pictures on every page for people like me who want to see what they’re going to eat before they make it. 🙂

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was how long it took me to open it up and actually read it. There’s something about Martha Stewart Living’s design that isn’t as fun to read as say, Real Simple’s. It’s minimalistic, which can be beautiful, but it’s a little too minimalistic. The fonts are very large and there aren’t a lot of graphics on the page besides the colors and fonts; it feels a little boring or overwhelming to me. But if that’s my only complaint, that shouldn’t stop you from getting your hands on Clean Slate! If anything, it can brighten up your coffee table like it has mine for the past few weeks. 🙂

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books. All opinions are, of course, my own.