Today's post is by Katie Drummond, health intern at Canadian Living. Eating for your own health is one thing – making sure your food is also good for the planet can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be, according to Jae Steele, a vegan holistic nutritionist who has worked on organic farms and writes a food blog called Domestic Affair. Now, eco-eaters can pick up Steele’s first cookbook, Get It Ripe. As a longtime vegan, I thought I knew the ins and outs of my food choices, but the first 100 pages of Steele’s book offer information that would be new to even the most seasoned vegetarian. In this guide to optimal health – both your own and that of the planet – Steele explains the politics of a vegan lifestyle, gets in-depth about nutrition, and even dishes on bettering your carbon footprint through local and organic dining. All that, and mouthwatering recipes, for everything from homemade granola bars to fettuccini “no-fredo” and chocolate-dipped biscotti. Steele avoids packaged “convenience” foods, but also keeps ingredients simple and easy-to-find, even for the great-aunt who lives in fear of natural food stores. Whether you just want a new recipe for fabulous muffins, or are desperate to prove to loved ones that eco-friendly vegan eating can taste good, Get It Ripe will be your go-to cookbook. It’s already become mine – banana pancakes and maple tempeh strips were a definite success on Father’s Day for one very lucky dad. Related content: • 101 vegetarian recipes • Vegetarian and vegan cookbook reviews • Veganism 101 • Canadian Living vegan recipes