This book has great recipes and they are delicious! and to think that they are low in calories and high in protein and still taste good, it is great! I try to make as many meals as I can from this book and they come out great. The recipes are very easy to follow and the ingredients you can find in most grocery stores like Waltz,Jewels even walmart. Bill phillips recommends his shakes as a meal replacement option for a mid snack, and most need a meal replacement powder called Myoplex, I would say that you don't need to go to the store and buy a box of this replacement meal powder because it is not cheap you would have to really look around to find a good price. Theres other ready to drink shakes from the body for life book and those you can find at walmart for a good price for a pack of 4 and these are good and you can use as a meal replacement. You would have to get use the taste though, since it taste a little "weird" at least to me. overall the book is awsome it's a must buy!