Welcome to the latest of the Integrative Nutrition Reviews series, where we consider books, movies, and other media related to health, food, and personal wellness. Want to suggest something for us to review? Post it in the comments!

Self-described cancer cowgirl and wellness guru Kris Carr gives us a taste (literally!) of what’s in store for everyone invested in the wellness revolution in her new cookbook Crazy Sexy Kitchen. Broken down into bite-sized chapters with hors d’oeuvres of diet, lifestyle, and philosophy information before a whopping main course of 150 healthy recipes (and Carr’s signature wit sprinkled throughout), Crazy Sexy Kitchen is served up as a great opportunity to hit the reset button on your health and food choices.

With the help of Whole Foods chef Chad Sarno, this veggie manifesto gives everyone from dedicated plant-passionate eaters to skeptical readers the opportunity to enjoy veggie and plant-based protein dishes accentuated with fresh herbs and spices. Even for those who are none too keen on hefty prep times and chopping, cutting, and dicing, after eating a few of the dishes Sarno and Carr cook up, what used to be tedious prep time will become an experience in anticipation. 

In Crazy Sexy Kitchen, Carr successfully reinforces her move away from an illness focus and completes the transition she started in Crazy Sexy Diet, another book our staff wholeheartedly recommends; the book’s informative and approachable content places her among holistic wellness gurus such as Integrative Nutrition visiting teacher Dr. Andrew Weil. By focusing on thriving rather than surviving through a healthy, plant-based diet, the kitchen becomes the pharmacy and the food we eat the preventative care. As Carr says in the book, taking control of your health is as simple as the choices you make in the kitchen.

Crazy Sexy Kitchen will inspire you to roll up your sleeves and throw together a batch of delicious cornmeal banana pancakes, seitan brisket with roasted chanterelle gravy, or maybe a few black bean and roasted sweet potato burgers. One thing is for sure: these delicious recipes will have you filling your kitchen not only with food, but with family, friends and fun – the primary foods that are really nature’s best medicine.