Showing posts with label Crave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crave. Show all posts

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Book Review - Crave, Eat, Heal


Crave, Eat, Heal: Plant-Based Whole Food Recipes to Satisfy Every Appetite

By: Annie Oliverio
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Publication Date: April 2015
ISBN: 978-1462115556
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2016

If you think plant-based diets are boring, think again. Many people have someone in the family that’s either a vegetarian or vegan in the family and have no idea what to serve up when they visit. Simply throwing a salad their way isn’t a particularly good solution, but adding a side dish can be. If opting for a plant-based lifestyle, instead of scouring the Internet trying to amass one’s own recipes, cookbooks like Crave, Eat, Heal can be not only helpful, but fun. One of the first things I spotted was a recipe that incorporated goji berries. What to do with them?

Well, I just happened to have all the ingredients on hand and tried out “Sarah’s Almond & Goji Berry Chocolate Bark.” In the past I tried out one peppermint bark recipe from a Moosewood cookbook and was delighted with the result. This one is slightly different in that it incorporates some of the more unusual ingredients such as the goji berries and cacao nibs. These are great ingredients and aside from using them sporadically, I now have a recipe that’s sure to please even those who aren’t on plant-based diets. It’s one of many great recipes in this book that will get people moving toward a healthful lifestyle and satisfy the palate...and that sweet tooth.

We all have cravings and Annie Oliverio is no different. She begins by describing cravings that most of us have experienced in our lives. Those M & M’s called out to her and so did that buttery popcorn. She had cravings that were “salty, sweet, tart, spicy” that made her gravitate toward unhealthy foods. Working through Crave, Eat, Heal, I can easily see how Oliverio targets the “craving” part. The almond & gogi berry bark is under the chocolate section, but other sections address other needs and cravings that crop up. If you are craving those carbs (who isn’t) there are even recipes for French toast and pizza. I tried both, but did adapt them to my own tastes and needs.

What Oliverio makes clear from the start is that this isn’t a “diet” book nor is she a dietician, although I must say any dietician could learn from this book. It’s a book that “simply offers whole food, plant-based recipes designed to healthfully satisfy whatever kind of craving sneaks up on you, no matter what time of day it is.” There are a few hints in the front that can be very helpful. For example, how to cook sans baking oil. There are introductory sections on ingredients used in this book, supplements, and one on those all-important friends who helped with some of the recipes.

Each recipe is prefaced by a personal vignette, something I do like in any cookbook! The vignette is followed by an ingredient list and the all important directions. There are some suggestions and icons indicating special notes about the recipe (i.e. gluten-free, oil-free, and preparation difficulty) as well as prep and cook times. There are some excellent photographs that give this book a definite yum factor, but it’s not overwhelmed with them. There are still several recipes I want to try, but those I did I thoroughly enjoyed. I have yet to experiment with things such as tempeh bacon, but I’m into it! A very nice book with a wide variety of recipes to satisfy anyone who’s now on a plant-based diet or wants to experiment with one.

Quill says: Crave, Eat, Heal is a great, well-rounded cookbook for the vegan or anyone wanting to experiment with plant-based recipes!






Thursday, May 21, 2015

Books In For Review

Here's the latest batch of books to arrive for review.  Check them out!





As All My Fathers Were by James A. Misko Ranchers, Richard and Seth Barrett, are devoted to running the family ranch on Nebraska's Platte River. It is their intent to keep doing so the rest of their lives; however, the terms of their mother's will requires them to travel by horse and canoe along the Platte River, to understand why their maternal grandfather homesteaded the ranch three generations earlier. From the grave, she commands them to observe industrial farming's harm to the land, air, and water. A 90-old bachelor farmer, with a game plan of his own, butts in and threatens to disrupt and delay the will's mandatory expedition. Using a gullible hometown sheriff and a corrupt local politician, a conniving, wealthy neighbor, seeking to seize the property, thwarts their struggle to keep their ranch and meet the will's terms. The Platte River, A mile wide and an inch deep, becomes its own character in this turbulent novel and lives up to its legend as being too thick to drink and too thin to plow.  

Sweet Cast Iron Creations: Dutch Oven Desserts by Doug Martin Master the art of Dutch oven sweets! Award-winning chef Doug Martin uses easy-to-follow instructions and irresistible recipes to take you beyond basic cobblers and into the realm of gourmet delicacies like his famous Chocolate Ganache Cake and the award-winning Tropical Dream Cake! With all the delicious Dutch oven flavor you love, these sweet treats will have your friends and family scraping the black pot clean.

Backyard Dutch Oven Cooking by Bruce Tracy Make your favorite Dutch oven foods in your own backyard! Whether you're making a hearty, no-fuss breakfast in the woods or a fancy Sunday dinner to serve at your dining table, there's nothing better than Dutch oven cooking. With over 100 recipes encompassing all skill levels and lots of expert advice, you'll be a black pot master in no time.  

Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn With his marriage on the rocks and his life in shambles, washed-up true-crime writer Lucas Graham is desperate for a comeback, one more shot at the bestselling success he once enjoyed. His chance comes when he’s promised exclusive access to death row inmate Jeffrey Halcomb, the notorious cult leader and mass murderer who’s ready to break his silence after thirty years, and who contacted Lucas personally from his maximum-security cell. With nothing left to lose, Lucas leaves New York to live and work from the scene of the crime: a split-level farmhouse on a gray-sanded beach in Washington State whose foundation is steeped in the blood of Halcomb’s diviners—runaways who were drawn to his message of family, unity, and unconditional love. There, Lucas sets out to capture the real story of the departed faithful. Except that he’s not alone. For Jeffrey Halcomb promised his devout eternal life…and within these walls, they’re far from dead.  

It's You by Jane Porter In the wake of a tragedy that tore her life down to the foundations, Dr. Alison McAdams has lost her way. So when she’s summoned to Napa to care for her ailing father, she’s not sure she has anything to offer him—or anyone else. What Ali finds in Northern California wine country is a gift—an opportunity to rest, and distance from her painful memories. Most unexpectedly, she finds people who aren’t afraid of her grief or desperate for her to hurry up and move on. As Ali becomes part of her father’s community, makes new friends of her own, and hears the stories of a generation who survived the Second World War, she begins to find hope again. In a quest to discover the truth about another woman’s lost love, she sets off on a journey across oceans and deep into history. And in making sense of that long-ago tragedy, Ali is able to put together the broken pieces of her heart and make new choices that are right for her.  

Hope In Every Raindrop by Wesley Banks "Small towns have big stories." That was a lesson Katie’s father taught her years ago. A lesson she’s taken to heart. And right now, Katie is desperate for a big story. Reeling from the recent loss of her father and with her agent breathing down her neck for the next book, the twenty-one-year-old writer picks a spot on the map and finds herself bound for a middle-of-nowhere town called Bishopville, South Carolina. Taking a chance on the words of a local grocer, Katie stumbles upon a rare breed of dogs raised by the town doctor and his nephew Kyle. The only problem? Kyle isn’t interested in telling stories—especially not to a big-city girl who can’t seem to sit still. In an attempt to win him over as the clock winds down, Katie finds herself immersed in Kyle’s world, doing everything but writing. When inspiration finally strikes, Katie is faced with an unforeseen catastrophe and a truth she can no longer ignore. While she has come to love the dogs, the real story may be about Kyle Walker.  

The Tulip Resistance by Lynne Leatham Allen Pulled into a war she doesn't understand, Marieka Cordoven is just a Dutch girl who wouldn't dare resist the Germans. But helping a wounded German soldier- a defector- changes her mind about everything. This tense historical drama delves into the intricacies of the Dutch resistance, its grit to defy orders, and its plan to do what is right.  

The Way You Wear Your Hat by Patricia Underwood The ultimate celebration of the hat. Renowned milliner Patricia Underwood presents a visually stunning and informative look at the transformative value of the hat. Featuring cloches, top hats, visors, wide-brimmed hats, berets, fedoras, turbans, trilbies, sun hats, and more, this spirited volume luxuriates in the multifariousness of one of the most diverse accessories. Underwood shares her inspirations—from art, cinema, historical periods, and nature—as well as sharing her favorite hats. She also offers her readers guidelines on how to choose a hat. The book’s lavish illustrations showcase Underwood’s many years of collaborations with such top-notch designers as Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, and a host of others. Images are drawn from the designer’s own archive, as well as editorial work from some of the world’s greatest fashion photographers, including Richard Avedon, Norman Parkinson, and Bruce Weber.

Crave, Eat, Heal: Plant-based, Whole-food Recipes to Satisfy Every Appetite by Annie Oliverio Whether you want salty, sweet, spicy, comforting, crunchy, or chocolaty-indulge all your cravings and give your body the nutrition it needs. With these tantalizing plant-based, vegan recipes, like Creamy Thai Carrot Coconut Soup and Chocolate-coated Key Lime Coconut Creme Pie, popular blogger and food photographer Annie Oliverio teaches you how to train your body to want healthy options, while feeding your appetite, and satisfying your cravings-all at the same time.  

Ally's Kitchen: A Passport for Adventurous Palates by Alice Phillips Wander the world without leaving your kitchen! Popular blogger, chef, and TV darling Ally Phillips shares her favorite recipes from around the globe in this truly unique cookbook. Full of cultural background, delicious recipes, and Ally Phillips's signature "food branching" ideas, this cookbook is guaranteed to turn your ordinary meals into memorable masterpieces.  

The Cheese Lover's Cookbook by Emily Chambers From gruyere to gouda, you can add a little cheese to any meal! This tasty collection of recipes features all your favorite cheeses from around the world. Try the Mozzarella Caprese Salad or the dreamy Rocky Road Cheesecake, and don't forget the Ultimate Grilled Cheese! Simple and delicious, these recipes will make all your meals easy cheesy!

 Eat, Drink, and Be Green: Easy and Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle by Michele Nielson Give your menu a green make-over with tasty, healthy meals you can prepare in half an hour or less! Using easy-to-find ingredients and some simple preparation, you can green up your diet with silky green smoothies, savory salads and so much more. With recipes from around the world, detailed instructions and multiple FAQ lists, this cookbook makes it easy to love eating right. Try the: Orange Creamie Greenie Smoothie; Butter Lettuce and Tomato Salad; Zucchini Spaghetti; The Best Hummus; Huevos Rancheros; Speculoos Bake-me-nots and many more -- more than eighty recipes, many with recipe conversions for small and large batches. Mouth-watering photos make it easy to know what you want to make and almost all the recipes have gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan versions so you can keep everyone happy!