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Saturday, July 11, 2015

Cookbook Reviews: Part One

Here are 7 Cookbook Reviews all on Healthy Eating/Recipes. There is something for everyone. If you click on the title it will take you to Amazon so you may check them out further and read other reviews.

The Easy Vegetarian Kitchen by: Erin Alderson

If you have been considering becoming a vegetarian this is an excellent cookbook to start your journey. The recipes are easy and ingredients  you will find in your local market.  I am no way a vegetarian, I am a runner and I have found eating vegetarian the day before I run (I run every other day) has been great for my running and my system.

I have already made the Herbed Omelet and it was delicious, a lot of flavor and filling. I appreciate when a cookbook gives recipes by the season. Besides giving you a basic recipe it also gives you four more by the season. Many of the recipes are done this way. I'm looking forward to making the Homemade Ravioli, the fall recipe is Pumpkin with Crispy Sage, one of my favorite combinations.

You will find everything from Breakfast to Desserts in this cookbook.

Green Foods For Men by Michael De Medeiros

If you are a Man....get this book.  If you are a Woman....Get this book.  It has taken my husband and I to be on the other side of 50 to figure out we needed to change the way we eat and this book is very helpful.

In alphabetical order it takes a "green" food and lays everything out for you....You Need to Eat This and the reason whether it's for stronger bones, fuller hair, better sex, bad breath just to name a few it's all there in black and white. Nutritional Information, simple and straight forward. Tips on storing and preparing. Recipes, not a lot but they are good recipes. (I'm buying some artichokes, Garlic Dijon Artichokes) Also there is a section of "Add Ins" adding these Green Foods into your recipes/prepared foods, ex. soups, breakfast, etc

If that isn't enough reason to go Green, a 7-day cleanse, 30-day green challenge. I found this book to be an excellent read and reference book to keep at your finger-tips.

Superfoods at Every Meal by Kelly Pfeiffer

This is the first cookbook that I have from Kelly Pfeiffer and I see it will not be my last. Thumbing through Superfoods at Every Meal are the stunning photos. Every recipe I would make, they are easy, accessible products at my local grocer and I'm even willing to re-try food I'm not crazy about (like Quinoa, not a fan) but that Quinoa Fiesta Wrap is changing my mind.

I have already made a grocery list to make the Smashed Berry & Balsamic Kale Grilled Cheese, Walnut Crusted Sea Scallops, Tuscan Kale Soup and Pad Thai Sandwich. From Appetizers to Desserts this cookbook covers everything I'm looking for.

This cookbook is perfect for my husband and myself and our active healthy lifestyle we are creating for ourselves with running, walking and hitting the gym.

Paleo Grilling by Tony Federico and Chef James Phelan

Honestly I am not familiar with the Paleo diet, my first thought, oh great another diet cookbook. I had to Google Paleo to see what I'm dealing with. In simple terms.....back to basics.....no processed food.  I'm sure it's a lot more than that, but that is what I got out of it.

This book is much more than that.  It starts with the meat, which peaked my interest I've been seriously rethinking where I get my meat. I want to know where it's coming from and I don't mean the market but the farm/ranch, Paleo Grilling addresses this and resources. Next is a section on grills, tools, pantry and meat cuts.

On to the recipes, there is a very nice selection of sauces, rubs and marinades. As I go through the pages I am really loving the no processed food. One marinade that caught my eye is the Asian Pear BBQ Marinade. Flipping through this book, I'm placing flags on almost every recipe. Mojo Pork Shoulder, Pulled Chicken Stuffed Peppers, Grilled Swordfish with Jicama Mango Slaw, Grape Leaf - Wrapped Grilled Trout, Citrus Grilled Quail, Double Bacon Bambi Burgers (snickering as I'm typing this watching 3 deer walked across my backyard) and dessert is not left out of this cookbook Chunky Chocolate Banana Pops, Watermelon Mojito Freezer Sobet. Eating healthy just got exciting.

The Einkorn Cookbook by Shanna and Tim Mallon

Beautifully written cookbook with equally beautiful photographs. The recipes look simple enough with a clear understanding and a nice range of recipes.

Recipes that I would love to try are: Decadent Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffles, Ricotta Vegetable Quiche, Marble Rye Bread, Simple Homemade Tortillas, Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce, Spicy Salmon over Cilantro Lime Einkorn, Maple Ginger Shortcakes, Spicy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies and Waffles Bowls.

The only reason I gave it 3 stars is the accessibility of getting the ingredients. I live in a small town surrounded by small towns, my only options a 3 hour one way drive to the big city or mail order and shipping costs can add up.

Super Paleo Snacks by Landria Voigt

Well written, easy ingredients you will find in your local market, simple delicious recipes. 

I love having snacks in the house that do not come out of a bag or box. If you feel the same way this is a must cookbook. With recipes like Supersmart Bars, Chocolate Almond Squares, Silver Dollar Banana Pancakes and Chocolate Chia Workout Bars you can not go wrong. I also like that there are recipes for those days I want a light meal, Bacon Cauliflower Soup, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sliders, Butternut Squash Fritters and Chocolate Banana Smoothie. Happy Healthy Snacking.

Fermented Foods for Health by Deirdre Rawlings

A lot of good information in this book with regards to Medicinal Magic of Fermentation and Putting Fermented Foods to Work.  However, this book will not be for everyone, but those who need to change their diet for medical issues will benefit greatly. There is even a meal plan for repairing your metabolism. For me some of the ingredients are not available at my local market (I do live in a small town).

Recipes that I was interested in are: Anti-Inflammatory Apple and Juniper Berry Kraut, Prebiotic Vegetable Medley Kraut, Fermented Mango, Cinnamon and Peach Chutney and Strengthening Herbed Corn Beef.

This book is well written and nicely photographed.

Please note: I received this books from the Publisher to review, all comments are my own.














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