The Wellness Mama Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Healthier Families Hardcover – November 12, 2014

Love Wellnessmama.com and basically bought the book to support her and for one other important reason. My bf has autoimmune problems VERY BADLY (I bought her the book without having looked at it first - that's how much I trust Katie). And she doesn't know how to cook. At first I was frustrated with the book because of the lack of more direction regarding spices but then I got to the spice section and oowhala. My friend can learn what spices she can use by looking at what spices are mexican, italian and so forth. The spice section is no where near comprehensive but it is just right for someone just starting out. And for her Moroccon (Sp?) Dish she was specific about spices - thank god cuz I don't know how to make Morrocan or spell it for that matter. My bf has been put in the position of having to cook every meal after spending the vast majority of her life not cooking at all. So like for instance she called me the other day and asked if she must have marjoram to make the recipe she was looking at - I said I doubt it but read me the recipe and of course there were a bunch of italian spices and no, marjoram is not going to make or break that recipe - but she has no way of knowing that. With Katie's book you'll learn that you can make a sauce (I don't know if she's included marinara or not - I'll have to go take a look) but let's just say marinara - you'll learn that you can do it by just putting in garlic, s n p and some basil leaves or that you can add a bunch of spices instead or/and like basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary and the beloved marjoram which I like but rarely use. You can actually and naturally learn how to cook with this book. So while I don't think she intended it to be a primer, I think it works very well as one. Perhaps my bf will start to learn that she doesn't need every single thing in a recipe to make it good and what she can add instead. I mean this is a cookbook for cooks not chefs. This is no Emeril Lagasse. That's for sure!! But she doesn't hold herself out to be a great chef (that's not to say the dishes aren't delish - I'm sure most of them are to most people). I think she more than accomplished her goal. Eating real food is accessible with this book. And I think that is the point. Not blowing away people with your culinary talents. If you really want to learn how to be a chef start with The Joy of Cooking and work your way from one end to the other. It's idk maybe 600 pgs of densely packed, no pictures added print about everything under the sun (except kombucha - which is just kinda in rage right now - I have some brewing - it's quite good and I was very pleased to be able to make my own soda just through fermentation - much fun!!) I haven't totally made the switch to real food but I'm making much better choices now and eating ALOT less bread and pasta. I haven't given up on rice but I avoid corn, soy, and I'm trying very hard with sugar and wheat. I'm up in the air on the other grains but since I eat them so very rarely it's not really an issue. I guess I'll lleave oatmeal behind although I had come to learn how to bake with it instead of using all flour. IDK We'll see. Ok I'm blathering a little here. The book is concise to the point of making you wonder if you're really cooking when in fact you really ARE cooking and it is easy, easy stuff that sounds good to me for the very most part. I must say that one of the very first things I'm going to try is one of the chicken dishes where you cook chicken breasts in the crockpot for 6-8 hrs?! I can't imagine that turning out well but she's got it going in a few recipes and she has a solid head on her shoulders so I'm going to give it a try. Ya never know. The rule of thumb has always been 20 mins for boneless and 30 for bone in so 6 hrs sounds outrageous to me. And I'm wondering if chicken goes through a stage where it's moist then where it's like cardboard/rubber/sawdust and then back to being moist or something - that's the only reasonable explanation I can think of. I'm super curious!! So I'm pleased I bought the book and I hope so very much it helps my best bud!! Katie's Wellness summit helped her alot! There are just so many things to thank Wellnessmama for that I HAD to buy the book out of thanks. And of course I was super curious and now I get how she does it. AND without breaking the bank at all. (Does anyone know if coconut aminos - I had to look that one up - mess with your estrogen like soy products do - my bf had breast cancer and can have no food that messes with your hormones.) Ok I know this is not a chatting board so I'll wrap it up - I love the book and I'm glad I bought it. But if you're looking for stuff like Emeril Lagasse or Jacques Pepin (I'm not even sure he has a cookbook - he really should share lol) would make then you've come to the wrong place!!!

SORRY FOR LONG REVIEW: OMG, This Book I LOVE LOVE LOVE. MY SISTER bless her heart is always updating me on books and supplements for The Autoimmune disease in my body. She turned me on to THE WELLNESS MAMA Blog, she even has a mobile app. Boy let me tell you I have started some of her suggestions and they are playing out just as she described they would. I've tried herbs, supplements, a TON of Hollistiic Doctors with very slow Progress. I have had chronic fatigue syndrome & fibromyalgia for the last 15 years.. Maybe i was'nt taking the right herbs I don't know? I am taking MACA capsules for the CFS and OMG they are working quite well, I bought a good Brand here on AMAZON by NAVITAS. I will review that product shortly. I normally don't rave about books and things IN THIS MANNER, I do however, write the most honest ratings possible.. She also had an Autoimmune disease and reversed it, pretty awesome huh!. Her recipes are simple but good not so restricted like Paleo or others "that gets old really quick" which in my case makes me wanna cheat occaisionally. So DID I SAY THE FOOD WAS AMAZING ALREADY she also gives you suggestions on what brands to buy if you have the money if not then whatever works, she gives you the hows and whys ppl tend to get Celiac and how grains effect us. It's more than a cookbook, it's also a reference book, it's good food for "SICKIES", but good for anyone actually, especially children if we teach them how to eat properly from the begining we'll save them a whole slew of problems as adults... That's our job as parents I think anyway. If you're a Mom on the go and you think this will not work for you, This is made for you..Oh and the Desserts are great too. I just want to say: I don't work there nor do I know her, nor did anyone ask me to write this review, I've just never had any thing work so well for ME.... Thank you Sandra my loving sister <3

I love The Wellness Mama blog and I was really excited about this cookbook. There is a good variety of recipes and I really like the recipes for homemade salad dressings, mayo, hollandaise, etc. Katie has included breakfast, snacks, appetizers/sides, main dishes (chicken, beef, turkey, pork, seafood), desserts, condiments and dressings, drinks/teas, spice blends, fermented foods, plus tons of information on eating a nourishing diet. She has information on which oils are best, why sugar is bad for you, and tips on how to get your kids to eat nutrient dense foods. Our family eats a nourishing diet but I often struggle with budgeting and simplifying meals. This cookbook has tons of really simple, easy meals that I know will help save our family money. The only critiques I have are that her chocolate chip cookie recipe calls for sugar, which I don't use. Some of the recipes for chocolate desserts call for a dark chocolate bar which I also don't use because of the sugar and soy in those products. Also, one of her salad recipes calls for an asian coconut ginger dressing that is not included in the cookbook (might be on her blog tho). Lastly, many of the recipes call for dairy, which my family limits. Other than those few things, I've been very pleased and would definitely recommend this cookbook to family and friends.