I’ve seen that there is a “The New Laurel’s Kitchen” now, but I’m not familiar with it. This is for the original. Having spent time with a vegetarian family (we were provided food, but no meat, and I had to cook), I got a lot of recipes, ideas, and advice from this book. It’s more than a cookbook. It also has a great deal of information about being vegetarian, the nutrition you need every day, and various anecdotal and cultural notes. The book was written based on recipes and techniques that Laurel and her friends use in their homes every day. It’s a lot of fun to read, and also useful. Laurel’s kitchen is mostly for the ovo-laco vegetarian, but there are several vegan recipes as well.If you are vegetarian, thinking of becoming vegetarian, or just interested in eating healthier meals, you should not miss this book. The recipes are excellent, especially with great ways to use whole grains to make bread and more unusual dishes. Plus, the entire message of the book is that we should slow down a bit, put thought into what we eat, and actually enjoy it for a change. Grow vegetables in your garden, or buy from the local farmer’s market, so you know where your food comes from. Bake your own bread, make condiments from scratch, and stop eating junk – preservatives, additives, artificial colors and flavors, and chemicals of all kinds. I truly believe that eating these “foods” directly affects our energy levels, mood, and behavior. I’ve seen this in my son, and in myself. When I eat natural foods I feel better. I have more energy, and I naturally lose weight. When I eat junk and processed food, I feel tired, I gain weight, and I’m very moody. I’m starting to see the same difference between a meat-filled diet and a vegetarian, or mostly vegetarian diet, but I’m not ready to take that leap just yet.