THE SPARKPEOPLE COOKBOOK
Part self-help, part cookbook, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed paging through this book and making some of the recipes. And I’ll be honest, I hadn’t really heard of Sparkpeople before when I got this copy. (It’s an FREE online weightloss website and support group worth checking out!) But I can tell you that the recipes are not only delicious but also easy to prepare!
The book includes testimonials from real Sparkpeople members and they are really inspiring! Not just wanting to lose weight, their motivation comes from wanting to live healthier and longer. The first section talks about how making your own food is not only better for you, it is also tastier. Once you start, you’ll really begin to notice the difference. Filled with little tips, how-tos (like how to choose whole grains or and anecdotes throughout, the book is inspiring and made me want to rush to my kitchen to begin cooking. Author Meg Galvin also adds “Make It a Meal” suggestions which are great to help you figure out how to round out the meal.
The Warm and Spicy Banana Waffles have a yummy sweetness and spicy kick that make them super delcious! I made up a bunch and put some in the freezer for busy weekday mornings. Also, tops on my list are the Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken, Baked Chicken Tenders and the Mini Apple Tarts for dessert. I only wish there were more photos—but there are plenty to make your mouth water!
I especially love the section on making your own spice blends and salad dressings. I’ve recently been checking to see how much sodium is in prepackaged foods like these and it has been truly eye-opening! When you make your own, YOU control the amount of sodium (if any is needed) in your foods.
The last part of the book includes a whole chapter on how and WHY to get your kids into the kitchen (hint: it is fun and you’ll be teaching them the skills they need to be healthy eaters for life). Also included is a Weekly Meal plan chart with a couple weeks’ worth of sample plans. Filled with all sorts of other helpful information like produce storage chart and tips or 25 Good, Cheap Foods, this book will soon become a reference book you won’t want to put down.
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided for review by the publisher. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own.
