Great read for beginners and inspiration for the experienced clean eater.
Diane A. Welland, M.S., R.D. author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Clean states “Ditch the processed foods and get your fill of nutritious, all-natural food”. That’s just what this book does, fills you with good and basic information about nutritious food including some great recipes without the hype and glamorous success stories of yet another celebrity diet. As the introduction explains, the book is divided into six parts, each one addressing a different aspect of eating clean. Part 1, “The ABC’s of Being Clean”. Part 2, “Jump-Start Your Morning”. Part 3, “Light Bites”. Part 4, “Lovely Lunches”. Part 5, “Dinner Designs”. Part 6, “Sweet Endings”.
For the beginner the book is easy to read, understand and implement into everyday living. There is some basic information about processed food, food additives (which even as an experienced clean eater I found helpful) and refined foods. Extras are included frequently about definitions, tips and tricks, foods to avoid and cultivating good habits.
The experienced clean eater will also find a quick reference to useful information on food labels, definitions of additives, sugar disguises, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors. There are kitchen shortcuts to help you manage your time and plan ahead to help ensure you stay on track. So many of my failures have been due to lack of time and planning. I have been out and by the time I get home I’m starving so I reach for the easiest thing. I tell myself, I’ll just have a bite or two until I can get a meal prepared and “poof” I have eaten a whole bag of tortilla chips.Granted they are whole grain, low sodium chips but still, not a good choice. There are not only basic recipes like a Loaded Black Bean Burrito but some old favorites tweaked a bit, like the Ultimate Tuna Salad Sandwich made with fresh yellowfin tuna, hard boiled egg and dried cranberries. A few more evolved recipes such as Avocado and Corn Crab Cakes or Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Sauce take it up a notch.
Overall there are over 140 clean food inspired recipes from breakfast to dessert. This book might not be the first you turn to for recipes if you are cooking for a family with young children but it’s a good book for information and help on starting out on your eating clean journey and recipes that even the most inexperienced cook can make to impress friends and family and keep you on the path to better health and a fuller life. I would say this is a good book to add to your collection for cooks of all levels.
