CLEAN PLATES COOKBOOK REVIEW

When I tripped over a clean eating health tip from Jared Koch (@CleanPlates) on Twitter, I knew I’d want to take a second look at what he’s all about. We tweeted back and forth a bit and then went on to share a private dialogue about his new cookbook.

 I’d heard of the Clean Plates movement, but I wanted to know more. From my first click on the Clean Plates website,  I felt at home. I talk a bit about “eating clean” in my book, FibroWHYalgia, and am always excited to see resources that expand on this valuable topic.

 I contacted Jared to discuss his cookbook and let him know that I’d love to review it for my readers. When I received the lovely book it in the mail from his publisher, I was delighted.

My mind sparks with fun-in-the-kitchen ideas as I flip from one page to the next.

I should mention that if you’re looking for a glossy, full-color photograph-filled recipe book including recipes with dozens of (unheard of) ingredients – this is NOT it.

If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-read, easy-to-follow, easy-to-search recipe book filled with mouthwatering recipes featuring a few simple ingredients – this IS it.

At first glance, I flipped through looking for recipes with fewer than a dozen ingredients and found many to choose from. If a dozen sounds like a lot (even if several of those ingredients are seasonings), there are still many recipes to choose from with fewer than five ingredients. Yippee! My kinda cooking!

Here are the visual aspects I love about both the Clean Plates Cookbook and the website:

* A spanking clean look

* A spanking clean feel

* Easy selection options

* Easy to navigate

In addition, here’s more to love about the Clean Plates Cookbook:

* Easy recipes with simple directions

* Quickly make selections based on your specific nutritional needs

* Graphic icons to simplify selections for various diet concerns

I also love the abundance of generally healthy information provided in the first eight chapters. The topics include –  

* Eating clean

* Bio-individuality

* Choosing quality foods

* Choosing a plant-based and/or an animal-based diet

* How to make healthy food choices

* Healthy oils, sugars, beverages, etc.

* Making healthy lifestyle choices

* Why mindset matters

* Menu planning ideas

* Healthy snacking recipes and ideas

* Shopping tips

My personal take … I’m not one to typically follow recipes to the letter. I cook based on the ingredients I have on hand and usually use cookbooks as a jumping off point for ideas. I peruse them and look for tantalizing recipes to which I can add my own favorite ingredients.

Of course, Jared and his Clean Plates Cookbook offers an abundance of wonderful recipes to create this jumping off point for me. I’ve added my own flavors and variety of ingredients to several of their recipes including the Sweet Potato Oven Fries, Chocolate Avocado Pudding, and Broccoli with Olive Oil and Lemon.

Here’s a few more I can’t wait to try — Kitchen Sink Almond Butter Snack Bars, Three-Apple Applesauce, Spring Slaw, More Veggies than Beef Stew, and the Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Avocado Salsa.

Sound yummy?

Jump onto the Clean Plates newsletter list NOW and receive a great ebook filled with several yummy recipes and more powerful and great info!

Also, be sure to grab your own cookbook on the Clean Plates site or on Amazon. Better yet, grab more than one so you won’t have to share yours with family and dinner guests.

Food is for sharing. But sharing my cookbooks? No way!

What recipes would you like to try?