Sophie Steevens - Simple Wholefoods: 100 Effortlessly Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for Every Day

HELLO

Welcome to Simple Wholefoods !

If you want to thrive on drool-worthy food in all of its natural glory, this book is for you. Focused on modern, nutrient-dense family recipes to accommodate all dietary leanings, taste profiles and cooking abilities, Simple Wholefoods is designed to help you implement simple measures towards a nourishing, wholesome life.

With all that is currently going on in the world, there is no better time to take charge of our health. Focusing on what we can control is essential, including the all-important elements of vitality within our body. The definition of what it means to be healthy and eat well encompasses a diversity of unique pathways. Ive experienced my fair share of challenging hurdles when it comes to good health, which is what ultimately led me to the plant and wellness space.

For those of you who dont know the back story, about eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Graves disease an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland and causes a variety of unwanted symptoms. After initially accepting the standard treatment from my endocrinologist, I was left with a heavy decision. Surgery or radioactive therapy would be the only medical treatments available for me. Hypothetically, this would mean taking medication for the rest of my life to recreate the function of the destroyed thyroid. My physical health had hit rock bottom and I knew I needed to make some big changes. This motivated me to look deeper into the food I was eating. After avidly reading and researching, I decided to remove all toxic chemicals, gluten and highly processed foods from my diet. I then went completely plant-based with a rich emphasis on raw fruit and vegetables. Against all odds, after six months I was in remission. Nearly six years on, I am thriving thanks to this wholesome, plant-based lifestyle that I now passionately share through my social media, @rawandfree, and books.

The experience of transforming my diet has truly revolutionised my perspective on what it means to eat real food. I also learned that the road to becoming the best version of yourself isnt always straight, but with dedication and commitment, you can certainly carve the path.

Over the past few years it has been amazing to witness the growth of the plant-based industry and see it skyrocket from niche to mainstream. It is fast becoming a positive space so many want to learn more about. With a global movement that is progressively focused on sustainable wholefoods, the plant-based diet has burst into the spotlight. Increasingly, scientists, doctors and the general public are recognising its superiority over poor dietary choices when it comes to creating resilient health and wellness, not to mention longevity.

Recent studies draw an undeniable connection between the meat and dairy industry and the deterioration of our environment, and this has undoubtedly created awareness of the importance of eating more plants. Although we are far from where we need to be, there are small but reassuring changes beginning to unfold that support the health of our planet and tackle the serious issue of animal welfare in the food industry. With these fundamental values in mind, I believe fresh, vibrantly hued fruits and vegetables should be the emphasis on every plate. Whatever your dietary stripe, theres no denying that eating fruits and veggies nestled alongside earthy, plant-based wholefoods will contribute to robust health, while consciously and compassionately enhancing our overall nutritional wellbeing.

The overwhelmingly positive response following the release of my first book, Raw & Free , inspired me to produce this second title. The gratitude and enthusiasm I humbly (and unexpectedly) received from eight to eighty-year-olds, omnivores and vegans alike, was exciting and truly rewarding. Not only were people enjoying my simple, plant-led recipes and feeling amazing, they were also openly embracing the book as a practical tool in their home. To each and every one of you who read Raw & Free , thank you. It truly means the world! I am continuously approached in person throughout New Zealand and messaged on social media by people from around the globe who wholeheartedly resonate with my health story as they, or a loved one, navigate their own challenging health journey.

All this wonderful feedback, my lovely friends, is what prompted me to put pen to paper once again, to bring you another valuable book centred on natural, plant-based ingredients, and celebrating the simplicity and deliciousness of including them habitually in your diet. In many ways, Simple Wholefoods is the sister of Raw & Free : each is unique, but the pair works synergistically to deliver a diversity of valuable tips and easy, scrumptious recipes that will give you a wide perspective of a wholefood, plant-based lifestyle. Above all, both books emphasise how simple it can be to make healthier lifestyle choices for both you and your family.

My goal is to normalise and create awareness around wholesome eating and make it more achievable and enjoyable to flourish on a plant-based diet. Im certainly not a qualified chef, nor do I class myself as an obsessed foodie, but through personal experience, I have become passionate about the importance of including an abundance of fruit- and vegetable-led meals in ones diet, whatever that may be, thus encouraging lifelong healthy habits.

My pursuit of plant-based nutrition and knowledge has inspired me to experiment in the kitchen using ingredients as close to their natural state as possible to create truly delicious food. With simplicity, nutrition and bold flavours in mind, the moreish recipes youll soon discover are a selection of modern, game-changing family meals that are plant-based, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. Developed using simple wholefoods and all-natural ingredients, these satisfying, delectable meals will have a big impact without making you feel as though youve conquered a substantial summit!