What happens when an accomplished chef cooks delectable plant-based meals for an eclectic group of artists who work together? It’s not surprising the result is For Goodness Sake: Plant-based Recipes from the Spiral House Kitchen, a full-color vegan cookbook with 140 recipes, and 250 photographs featuring food that’s good for you, good for life, and good for the planet.

The book is also about community, showcasing the combined wisdom of a somewhat eccentric group of artists about growing and preparing the organic food they share each day, living sustainably, and leading compassionate lives. Choosing a vegan lifestyle has been shown to be the single most important step an individual can take to reduce his or her environmental footprint. The scientific community is also in agreement that a whole and unprocessed plant-based diet, low in both sugar and saturated fats, is helpful in reducing the risk of heart and other diseases.

Chef Diane Hagedorn creates the group's lunches in the kitchen of the Spiral House — a unique stone structure based on sacred geometry in Saugerties, New York that was designed by the late artist Tom Gottsleben (tomgottsleben.com). The book’s recipes are selected from the varied dishes that Hagedorn creates daily, and are based on nutrient-rich ingredients, such as microgreens and quinoa, as well as comfort foods, holiday fare, and ethnic cuisines. A variety of scrumptious new recipes for innovative dishes created especially for this book are also included. Many of Hagedorn's creations are gluten-free.

The book is available for $29.99 through independent booksellers as well as at Amazon.com, and independent booksellers everywhere.