Cookbook reviews: Jan 31

  

Superfoods for the Brain: 102 Nutrient Rich Foods To Strengthen Your Mind & Improve Your Memory by Jennifer James

TOC where chapters are broekn up into food groups: fruits, grains, oils, protein, herbs and spices, vegetables and other sources.

Weekly planner is also included.

Intro discusses brain health and what superfoods are and how to use them for your brains benefit.

Under each of the sections are paragraphs of different items: for fruits they have listings for acai, apples, apricots, etc in alpha order.

Each one has a paragraph about what vitamins each has and the benefits of eating them. Informative book about all foods we should be eating and why.

Excellent collection of foods.

Meal plan consist of recipes, they start with a title

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Some have a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all.  Directions are given. There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.

Conclusion sums up the book and author asks for your feedback in form of a review.

Author's website is enclosed.

 

 

365 Foreign Dishes: A Foreign Dish for Every Day in the Year by Unknown

 Starts with table of contents where recipes are in a monthly chapter. I like this idea because I'd normally not be having watermelon in November but summer months.

Under each month are the recipes, not in your typical format.

It lists the title sometimes the country comes from. Gives you ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Tells you how to mix and serve with other items.

NO pictures and NO nutritional information but wow what a book, such a collection of older recipes.

Might be hard to find a rabbit or other animal they mention to make into a stew. Other older books are highlighted at the end. 

 

The Complete Cast Iron Cookbook: 550 Delicious Kitchen-Tested Recipes for Your Cast Iron Skillet & Dutch Oven by Dorothy Hayes

TOC starts this book where recipes are listed in meal categories.

Each recipe starts with a title, servings, cook time. 

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all. 

Directions are given and there are NO pictures, NO nutritional information. Recipes do NOT always start at the top fo a new page.

Great collection and variety of recipes offered, I really like pics and nutr info though.

They sell me on the product. Also thought there'd be more intro material about how to take care of your cast iron cooking vessels.

Name is misleading to me.

 

 

 

Lean & Green Cookbook: Your Personal Coach on Paper; A 12 Weeks Program for Healthy Weight Loss Including Delicious Recipes, a 5&1 Meal Plan and a Simple Workout Routine to Get Back in Shape Easily by Matthew Greyson

TOC where recipes are listed in meals.

Intro discusses what lean and green meal plan is all about and how a different plan might work for you. There are 3 of them and each has different amount of meals per day.

Each recipe starts with a title, cook time and servings.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and some nutrtional information per serving: calories, fat, carbs and protein.

There are NO pictures.

Fitness and exercise is also discussed as it's avital part of this meal plan.

Small pictures of how to do the exercises is included.

12 weeks of  plan are also included. along with exercise regimen. Concoclusion ends this book. 

It's packed with everything you need to succeed.

Cookbooks reviewed: Jan 30

 

 

The Easy Potato Soup Cookbook: 50 Delicious Potato Soup Recipes for Every Season (2nd Edition) by BookSumo Press

Table of Contents where recipes are listed, not in any special order.

Full page color photos  but not sure which recipe they go with.

Each recipe starts with a title, To far right corner is a shaded area with prep and total time, servings and some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and there are NO recipe pictures. Other pictures are full page, not relating to the recipes specifically.

Simple Yukon potato soup would be my choice to make first.

SO many others I want to try.

A KEEPER! because I know I can substitute with low sodium chicken broth.

 

 

Cheese Boards Cookbook: Gorgeous and Mouthwatering Cheese Platters Recipes | Discover Creative Arrangements and Pairings for Any Occasion by Frank Marino

TOC where recipes are listed in different chapters.

Into talks about cheese board and further chapters have a glossary of words that are explained.

There are colorful pictures scattered around.  Chapters explain what to expect when you are hosting a party and ask the right questions so you will have enough for all.

How to display is also included with lots of pictures.

Different foods on put on the cheeseboard are also suggestions.

There are no real recipes, just displays and you pick what items you want to select. the person eating gets to choose what healthy foods from the display they want to eat.

Each cheeseboard shows a small color photo, prep time and list if ingredients and how to put it all together.  Even a chapter on which wine to choose. 

Conclusion ends this book. Lots to choose from.

 

PLANT-BASED COOKBOOK: Plant-based Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Cook These Healthy Recipes To Feed Your Body And Live Well by Gianni Martini

This book starts with a foreword about your body and nutrients it needs.

TOC where recipes are broken up into meals. Intro talks about tips to achieve your weight goals by eating the plant based foods.

Each recipe starts with a title, some have a small color photo, summary of the item and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Some have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all. Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.

Some recipes start with a title, color photo, prep and cook time, servings and some nutritional information: carbs, fat, protein and calories.  Not sure why the author doesn't do same format for all the recipes? could it be they do not belong to them?

Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.

Conclusion ends this book. Disappointed with different formats in the book.

 

5 Ingredients Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners: 1000 Easy and Mouthwatering Recipes for Everyday Crock Pot Cooking by Michelle Walker

TOC where recipes are broken up into meal and food categories.

Short intro bout the book. Chapters on how to eat healthier with crock pot and how to clean.

Each recipe starts with a title, cook time and servings.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and some nutritional information: calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber, cholesterol, sodium and potassium.

There are NO pictures.  Nutritional information does NOT always have same items listed.

Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.

Never thought about making cookies in the crock pot, for 2 hours you can't get many made.

Lots of cool things to try.

 

Perfect Homemade Pizza: Make healthy and tasty pizza at home, better than in a Pizzeria by Nicola Gambino

TOC where recipes  listed are not in any specific order.

Intro discusses making pizza at home, healthy. History of pizza is included.  Different cooking methods are discussed.

Equipment you will need is another chapter.

List of common ingredients. Different phases of making the dough. .

Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

They are in UK so the measurements are more reliable. Directions are given and how to cook.  Notes and tips are included.

Common recipes are listed towards the back and they do include pictures of finished pizza. Recommendations for reading books on the subject are also included.

No nutritional information.

 

African Recipes: African Cookbook with Delicious African Recipes for All Types of Meals by BookSumo Press

TOC where recipes are not listed in any special order.

Each recipe starts with a title. To far right corner in a shaded area sometimes Prep and total time to cook, servings. Some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given. There are NO pictures.

There are full page color photos of the area, nothing to do with the recipes.

Recipes sometimes tell you what country the recipe is from.

There are different varieties. Yam fries sound really good and spicy.

Lots of curry dishes.

 

 

Living in the Philippines: Everything You Need to Know about Moving to the Philippines or Retiring in the Philippines by Val Henley

This book is very infromative but it has no recipes. Thought there'd be a listong of at least a few.

Lots more info about the area you select and what the differences are between them.

 

Book Review: Christmas Diamond

  

 

Christmas Diamond by Hallee Bridgemann

This book starts out with dedication page to the readers. Table of contents and listing of what's in Jewel series.

Story begins with Faith and she's in FL, all the way from England where she lives nearby her Grandmum. She's in a nursing home so Faith can continue her flying.

In FL she's to be part of a flying team that the team has flown before. She is walking along the beach when she notices children swimming in their pool and she stumbles over a body. She starts mouth to mouth on him til he is breathing on his own.

His family members meet TJ there and take him to the hospital. She learns a bit more about the family and who TJ is.

At an evening’s party she is introduced to him and she sits at the family table. They are the ones hosting the dinner and the whole flying show in the next days.

Love how the team perform, one of their best but there is an airplane accident. 

Like how this one goes, the women involved in the war overseas and how the wings are handed down from generation to generation.

Great ending.  There is a LOT of history in this story.

Translation phrases are explained. Inspired by real events of Virtues and Valor, Luncheon menu is included, with recipes.  Discussion questions are included.

Personal note from the author.  More jewel series synopsized at the end.

Excerpt from Christmas Star Sapphire is included.  Author links and her works are listed at the end.  Song of suspense are listed and summarized.

 About the author, links to contact her. Sign up for her newsletter. 

Cookbooks reviewed: Jan 29

  

 

Muffin Cookbook: Delicious Yet Easy Muffin Recipes That the Entire Family Will Enjoy by Barbara Riddle

This book starts out with table of contents where recipes are not listed in any special order.

Intro talks about perfecting muffins, color pictures included.

Each recipe starts with a title and brief summary of the item, servings and time.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and there some pictures for the recipes are included.  NO nutritional information.

I love muffins more than cupcakes because of the use of vegetables, squash, fruits, etc.

Can't wait to try so many of these flavor combinations.

Ends with a conclusion from the author.

A KEEPER for me because I know the ingredients I need to use to make them healthy for our family.

The Pie Cookbook for Beginners: The Foolproof Guide to Homemade Pies with Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Occasion by Tammy M. Hart

TOC where recipes are listed as pies, and dough recipes.

Intro talks about the baking techniques in this book. Baking of the crusts is discussed. Lots of tips and tricks and color photos. Different phrases are explained in detail.

Love making hand pies and I have a mold in 3 different sizes. They are awesome.

Each recipe starts with a title, active time, bake, chill times, servings and brief summary of the item.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are included. There are NO pictures and there are tips. There are NO nutritional information.

Such fancy patterns on crust later in the book.  Pictures enclosed for this section. 

So many flavorful combinations I can't wait to try. Conversion charts are included at the end. 

A KEEPER for just the intro material. every cook should have a copy of this one.

 

Delicious Superfood Cookbook Bundle: Amazing Quinoa Recipes and Vegan Paleo Smoothies for Better Health and Easy Weight Loss (Superfood cooking and Clean Eating) by Vesela Tabakova

Two books in one 

 

Superfood Paleo Smoothies: Easy Vegan, Gluten-Free, Fat Burning Smoothies for Better Health and Natural Weight Loss: Superfood Cookbook (Fitness Recipe Book 1) by Vesela Tabakova

TOC where recipes are not listed in any specific order. Intro talks about smoothies, includes tips and tricks.

Ingredients are listed and why you should be using them for the Paleo diet plan. Each recipe starts with servings and prep time.

List of ingredients. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

So many flavor combinations to try. 

...

 

Superfood Salad Recipes: A Clean Eating Cookbook for Easy Weight Loss and Detox: Fuss Free Dinner Recipes That Are Easy On The Budget by Vesela Tabakova

Table of contents then introduction about how superfoods are found in our own back yards. The reason they are called superfoods is discussed in detail.

Next section goes into each food (not all are vegetables) alphabetical order with a paragraph on each.

Herbs and spices are next talked about in alphabetical order.

Salads themselves with main ingredients: chicken, turkey, beef, fish and ham recipes follow.

Each recipe has a title, servings and list of fresh ingredients along with how to make.

There are no pictures.  There is no nutritional information  but you should be able to use a substitute for your dietary needs for olive oil, iceberg lettuce (use romaine) use low fat sour cream.

Don't care for the inconsistency in measurements: 1/2 cup or .50 all within a recipe. keep it uniform.

Like that the ingredients are not canned or processed but things you can pick out of your garden.

Lots of choices. Bonus recipes at the end for making homemade beatury solutions.

Clean Eating Cookbook 2 - 50 Clean Eating Recipes for Wellness, Weight Loss, & Busy Families on the Go! Sugar Free Diet - Cooking for Diabetics - Sugar ... books, Cookbooks, Healthy Eating Cookbooks) by Karla Sutherland

This book starts with offer of free ebooks, links enclosed.  TOC where recipes  are listed with name and servings- easy to find just how many you want to serve, quickly.

Each recipe starts with a title and servings. List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and serving suggestion. There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.

Lots of sandwich type recipes and other lunch varieties.

A week later this book was pulled from Amazon, not sure why.

Cookbooks Reviewed: Jan 28

   

 

Mediterranean cookbook 500 Mediterranean recipes for beginners by Molly Goodwin

This book starts out with TOC where recipes are listed in meal categories.

Free ebook offer. Intro discusses the diet plan and has meal plans.

Each recipe starts with a title and prep and cook times, servings. 

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

There are NO pictures. Some items they use are canned, not sure why they don't use fresh.

Some recipes call for a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all.

Directions are given and there are some nutritional information-not sure of serving size: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs and protein.

Conclusion ends this book. There are a lot of choices to make

Low-FODMAP Cookbook: 365 Days of Gut Friendly Recipes to Relieve IBS | 28-Day Meal Plan for Beginners by Debby Hayes

This cookbook starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meal categories.

Intro talks about IBS and how it distresses your system.

Not only those diseases but ones like RA, chrons, UC, Fibromyalgia, etc. Author explains what high foodmap food is with examples.

Portion size of high and low foodmaps are also explained.

28 day meal plans are included.

Each recipe starts with a title, cook time and servings.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

There are a lot of ingredients for some recipes, be sure to have them all.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.

Metric charts are included. Check with your doctor if you think this is the type of diet you need.

Bread Machine Cookbook : The Ultimate, Complete and Delicious 250 Foolproof Recipes. From Making to Baking, All You Need to Know About Homemade Bake is here by Stephanie L. Rosato

This book starts with table of contents where the recipes are broken up into types of breads.

Intro with pictures discusses how to use bread machine and benefits.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep, cook times and servings.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items. Directions are given

Some nutritional information: not sure of size: carbs, fats, protein and calories.

Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all before starting.

Some recipes are from different sources as the  difficulty level, A handful of pictures, nutritional information is totally different, as are the listing of ingredients, abbreviations.

Tips on how to store bread is included along with measurement and conversions.

 

5 Ingredients Instant Pot Cookbook for Beginners: 1000 Easy, Healthy and Step-By-Step Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker by Jeffrey Epstein

TOC where recipes are listed in meal and food categories.

Intro talks about the instant pot and benefits of using it and cleaning it.

 FAQ's are included. Each recipe starts with a title, servings, cook time.

List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given.

Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.

There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

Lots of good flavorful soup recipes to try, good combinations of spices and herbs.

Index is included at the end.  

 

Treasures (Alana O'Neill Mystery With Vintage Recipes #1) by Amy Alessio 

This book starts out with a story about a woman who is the bookkeeper for the antiques shop. 

She learns of a fire and she and her son head down there. The uncle runs the store and there is some damage.

One lady was sent to the hospital to recover from smoke. Lots of booths that others rent out and sell their antiques.

Like how the story goes but there are recipes at the end.

Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given, NO nutritional information and NO pictures.

Great story and can't wait to read more of the author's works. Very short novellas.

Her works are listed at the end.

Book Review: Southern Peach Pie and a dead guy by A. Gardner

 

 

Southern Peach Pie and a dead guy by A. Gardner

This story starts out with Poppy, almost 30 and she's enrolling in a culinary school down South.  The arrangement is you live at the location and work in the bakery shop.

She takes many classes and before she knows it she's being accused of  setting the oven too high causing evacuation and fire dept shows up to put the fire out. She then is accused of killing a teacher.

She gathers the clue along with Cole. She lies with Bree who loves to bake. They follow the leads to the clues they have and end up at a farm where they learn the beginning of the school and traditions.

She heads back to Oregon for a break where someone follows her.....

Love just when you think the story is over you have 10 more chapters to go and you wonder why.  Great read, keeps you on your toes. Excited to see who wins the end showoff of a favorite recipe to make.

Recipes are included at the end along with listing of author's other works.

Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

  

Book Review: Double Agents by Ethan Jones

  

 

Double Agent by Ethan Jones

In this book we find Justin and Carrie up to their regular regime of bringing peace to the world.

What I love about this one is when she is taken and she is able to get rid of the two men who had her handcuffed, but with one hand free. They surely didn't know what she could do with one hand.

She is able to overcome them and go find Justin. Love also the part about San Francisco Bridge and the events that were taking place there.

Love that she found information about the whereabouts of her father's body.  They had been fooled when they thought the man who appeared was their friend. They find out later just how much he was...

So much action, adventure, clues and lots of weapons, others who are on their side, and some that are not, travel and romance.

An excerpt from the next book is enclosed at the end.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.