Cookbook Review: The Garden of Eating

Are you ready to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet? Are you looking for a source of information that can help you learn more about proper nutrition and help you learn how to make tasty, delicious recipes that are also healthful? If so, you’ll likely find The Garden of Eating by Rachel Albert and Don Matesz to be an excellent resource.

About The Garden of Eating

The Garden of Eating provides readers with a comprehensive guide to healthy eating. It includes detailed information about nutrition and healthy eating as well as an outstanding collection of recipes appropriate for anyone who wants to improve their way of eating and enjoy the benefits of consuming a diet that is rich in produce. The book is not vegetarian-specific, but does stress the importance of fruits and vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory, and disease fighting properties of these foods. .

Information and Education

The first six chapters of the book are designed for those who are interested in answers to the question of why the eating principles outlined in The Garden of Eating are both nutritionally sound and appropriate for those who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Chapter seven introduces the general principles associated with The Garden of Eating way of eating. The basic recommendations are in alignment with what many diet plans recommend and what most people who are knowledgeable about research know.

For example, the principles specify that fruits and vegetables should make up the majority (65 to 75 percent) of your diet, fats should be consumed in moderation and consumption of refined foods and salt intake should be limited. The authors of The Garden of Eating encourage readers to eat meat that is wild caught, has been grass-fed, raised organically, or at least without hormones or antibiotics. They also advocate eating locally grown fruits and vegetables.

In chapters eight through 13, the book goes on to provide readers with sample meal plans, tips for properly organizing their kitchen, information about the types of cooking tools necessary to prepare truly healthful meals, suggestions for stocking the pantry and ideas for meal planning and preparation.

The Garden of Eating Recipes

Beginning with chapter 14, the book provides readers with an outstanding collection of easy-to-prepare recipes consistent with the eating principles recommended as part of The Garden of Eating way of eating. There are chapters dedicated to recipes for:

• Eggs
• Poultry
• Meat
• Cooked leafy greens, flowering vegetables and shoots
• Salads (side and main dish)
• Roots, tubers, squash and other vegetables
• Salad dressing, sauces, sprinkles, spice rubs and relishes
• Fruit
• Nut-based sweets and treats
• Snacks and mini-meals
• Jerky
• Beverages

Ready to Improve Your Diet?

If you’re ready to improve your diet and enjoy the benefits of a produce-based eating plan, The Garden of Eating is a great resource that you’ll likely find to be quite helpful.

Note: Special thanks to co-author Rachel Albert for providing me with a review copy of this book. The opinions presented are my own.