Melissa Costello's THE KARMA CHOW ULTIMATE COOKBOOK Shares 125 Vegan and Veggie Recipes

The more than 7 million vegetarians and 3 million vegans in the United States alone are proving that chowing down on planet-friendly fare not only helps them look and feel better, but it can be delicious too. In her debut cookbook, Karma Chow creator and celebrity chef, Melissa Costello shares an exciting collection of 125+ recipes that will be a welcome addition for anyone already following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or for the growing number of people embracing more plant-based meals. As personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of the bestselling P90X fitness system, Melissa is constantly finding creative ways to keep Tony and her other clients happy, fit, and fueled.

With her "keep it simple" and "make it tasty" approach, she offers a smorgasbord of dairy- and animal-free appetizers and desserts, breakfasts, and dinners, as well as holiday- and company-worthy menus.

Recipes include: Mac & Cheeze, Karma Burgers with Chipotle "Mayo," Thai-Style Tempeh Lettuce Wraps, Supreme-Oh Burritos, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Korean-Style Tempeh Tacos with Red Dijon Slaw, Enchilada Casserole with Ranchero Sauce, Artichoke and White Bean Dip, Cilantro Cauliflower Smash, Pad Thai in Peanut Coconut Sauce, Stuffed Mushroom Poppers, Indian Spiced Coconut Yam Soup, Chili Sweet Potato Fries, Un-Shepherd's Pie, Strawberry Crème Mousse with Pistachio Nut Topping, Banana Carob Bread Pudding, Apple/Pear Crisp, Brownie Bites, Chocolate Truffles, and Cardamom Chocolate Chippers (a Tony Horton favorite!).

The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook (HCI Books -- $18.95) shows anyone how to reconnect with their food and honor it as Earth's source for keeping us alive-all while finding it easier to rock their workouts and sculpt a well-defined physique. It's a winning recipe for success for anyone looking to transition to a healthier way of life!

For more information, visit www.karmachow.com.

Melissa Costello, founder of Karma Chow and creator of The Vital Life Cleanse, is the personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of the highly popular workout system, P90X. A Certified Nutritionist and wellness coach, Melissa is constantly finding creative ways to keep Tony and her many other clients happy, fit, and healthy through a whole foods, plant-based way of life. She works one-on-one with clients as well as leads thirty-day food-based cleanses with large groups, teaching them how to implement changes in their diet that will last a lifetime as well as offering skills on how to relate to food differently. Melissa was featured on TV Guide's Secrets of the Hollywood Body as well as CNBC's How I Made My Millions with Tony Horton.

Sample Recipes:

Euphoria Nuggets
15-20 nuggets

These energy nuggets are great to make as a snack for your kids. Actually, your kids will love to help you make them! They are loaded with protein, healthy fats, natural sugars, and flavor. They are great for marathon runners or athletes who need to restore their glycogen levels on the go. Who needs a candy bar anyway?

Karmic Health Tip: Agave nectar is a lower glycemic sweetener, but make sure you buy the raw dark blue agave to ensure the least amount of processing.

1 cup shelled sunflower seeds
? cup pitted dates
½ cup almonds
? cup raw dark blue agave nectar
3-5 tablespoons raw cacao powder
Pinch of nutmeg and/or cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a food processor, process the sunflower seeds and dates into a fine meal. Add the remaining ingredients and process until sticky and blended together. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to harden and then roll into one-inch balls.

Indian-Spiced Coconut Yam Soup
8 servings

I love Indian fare and I love yams, so I've combined the two together to make a dreamy, creamy, delicious soup that will light up your taste buds and transport you right to Marrakesh . . . well, maybe not, but dreaming is fun!

Karmic Health Tip: Coconut oil is loaded with medium-chain fatty acids that help you burn fat and speed up your metabolism, and it is also great to use directly on your skin. I leave a jar in the shower for an après shower smoothing.

1 tablespoon coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons garam masala
3 large carrots, diced
3 large garnet yams, peeled and cubed
4 cups vegetable broth or bullion (2 cubes with 4 cups water)
1 15-ounce can coconut milk
Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Cinnamon

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat and sauté the ginger, garlic, celery, and onion until translucent and soft. Add the garam masala and stir to combine to release the flavor of the spice. Add the carrots, yams, and veggie broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the yams are soft. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut milk. Puree using a hand blender until creamy smooth and season with Salt and Pepper to taste. Top with cinnamon, to taste, before serving.

These Recipes may be reproduced with the following credit:

Recipes from The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook by Melissa Costello
HCI; October 2012
$18.95/Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0757316333
http://www.hcibooks.com