Originally Published November 18,
2003 -- Your Wellness Guide
Winning 2003 Cookbooks: Practical, Healthy, Easy
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This
is the annual cookbook review. I’ve looked at dozens and dozens of
recipe books with an eye toward those that offer the healthiest food
yet most practical advice and that consider that few of us have lots
of time to cook.
To
tell you the truth, I still think my kids would be happier in the
short term with macaroni and cheese or pizza every night, but in
spite of that I’m determined to try new things and give my family
the best (within reason -- where’s that macaroni box?!). At least
the husband enjoys all the new tastes! |
Helpful
One-Dish Meals
No matter
how much you love to cook, I’ve found that practicality consistently wins
over. So, when I saw the American Heart Association’s new cookbook
One-Dish Meals (Clarkson Potter, $23.95), I had to take a closer
look.
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This
cookbook gives some time-saving advice, with the rest of the pages
dedicated to one-dish propositions, which include less mess, are
fast and easy, and are healthy for you.
I like
the Chicken Slaw with Teriyaki Plum Dressing or the Lemon-Tarragon
Shrimp Vermicelli.
What is missing from the food preparation smorgasbord is a picture
per recipe (my pet peeve). Other than that, it’s a winner. |
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Fun, Healthy
Holiday Food
Published by Jenny Craig, Holiday Classics (available at
www.jennycraig.com, $12.95) is a fun
addition to your cooking library.
This
cookbook offers holiday menus (starting with baseball’s World Series
celebrations, then Halloween and Christmas, and finally the Superbowl) all
with an eye on calorie and fat reduction.
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For
Christmas, you might choose a menu of Savory Mushroom-Stuffed
Sirloin, Supreme Green Beans, Roasted Red Potatoes, Easy Mini
Cheesecakes, and a beverage.
The
cookery book has lots of pictures (yeah!), shopping lists, and easy
instructions.
Intelligent Food Approach
While several unrecommended cookbooks caught my attention because of
beautiful photographs or easy instructions, my next choice is
The Chopra Center Cookbook (Wiley, $24.95).
The
inside lacks design creativity and visual interest, but the wellness
and food information is fascinating and useful.
Dr.
Deepak Chopra and his co-authors talk about how purposely varying
food tastes for each meal affects our holistic health, and how our
appetite is a key, regulating internal indicator. |
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I have
interviewed Dr. Chopra before, in person, and can almost hear his voice in
the introduction and first couple of educational chapters. The recipes
are simple and easy to follow.
#1 Choice
for 2003
The year’s top cookbook is Jyl Steinback’s
Cook Once, Eat for a Week
(Penguin Putnam, $17.95). If you are wanting the best tips on planning
ahead, shopping smart, super-healthy meals, cooking shortcuts, and
freezing advice, then Jyl’s cookbook is for you. It’s meant for busy,
wellness-oriented family living.
I
interviewed Jyl earlier this year for ways to avoid the weeknight mealtime
crunch. Her suggestion to plan all your week’s meals ahead of time,
including doing a lot of the cooking and freezing on weekends, follows
right along with her cookbook platform.
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I’ve
tried many of the “America’s Healthiest Mom’s” delicious recipes,
and the only consistently lacking ingredient was salt and perhaps a
little garlic (our family is used to more of both ingredients).
And
while there are no pictures in her recipe collection, I waive my pet
peeve because the book’s contents are so useful and practical. In
my opinion no kitchen should be without Jyl’s cookbook, ideas, and
advice. |
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Wellington
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Wellington