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The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking by Julia Matto (Book Review)

Discover how a healthy, a gluten-free diet can transform your health with these easy, scrumptious, home-cooked recipes

Within this magical ride to gluten-free cooking, you will discover:
● 20 easy-to-prepare recipes to enjoy an enhanced and energetic lifestyle.
● The gluten-free way to start every day – breakfasts so good, you’ll never say never!
● How each home-cooked meal is a doorway to better digestive health, mood, and
focus: a gluten-free mind and body leads to a disease-free life
● Fulfilling lunches to make easy yet exquisite meals – grab your herbs, veggies,
shrimp, chicken, and pasta to whip marvels that make your tastebuds do the
tango!
● Mouth-watering dinners you simply cannot do without!
● How to maximize the benefits of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to make your
dishes aromatic, delicious and healing
● Detailed ingredient lists and clear instructions with added suggestions and dairy-
free options.

Adopting a gluten-free diet is your ticket to a new way of living – you’ll feel like you’ve been born again from within.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Life is busy, and eating nutritious foods at every meal can be a real struggle. Most families opt for take-out to save time and money and, let’s face it, the hassle of cooking. Besides those obstacles, people face dietary restrictions for themselves or a family member. Julia Matto’s daughter developed gluten sensitivity. “She had endured digestive issues and bloating, and her mood and concentration were off the charts.” Those same issues plagued Julia as well. As the author removed gluten from their diet, everything changed for the better! Julia discusses this and briefly explains gluten, including healthy food choices in the “Introduction.” Be sure and check it out! 

The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking contains breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert meal ideas; 20 recipes in all. There were anywhere from 4- 16 ingredients per recipe. In those ingredients, there were spices/seasonings that most households have on the ready: cinnamon, pepper, olive oil, (kosher) salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and vanilla extract. However, a trip to the grocery store will be necessary to complete most of the recipes. They require fresh herbs, fresh produce, and (possibly) a need to restock your cabinets. 

I’m a visual person; if a food image looks scrumptious, I’ll be eager to prepare the food. Every recipe had a picture depicting what the food should roughly look like. “Red, White and Blue Berries Parfait with Greek Yogurt” looked divine. “Cranberry Apple Crisp” made my stomach growl. The “Oatmeal Raisin Cookies” and “Lemon Granita with Honey (Sicilian Lemon Ice)” activated my sweet tooth. 

While the dessert portion of the book had mouth-watering pictures, the rest of the food portraits did not have me reaching for a fork. The “Steak and Eggs” and “Chicken Piccata” were visually unappealing, and the blueberry pancakes in “Blueberry Pancakes with Chicken Sausage and Avocado” looked burnt to a crisp. 

Despite my feeling about the food presentations, I’m still inclined to try the recipes. The directions are easy to follow and introduce new foods into my diet. 

If you are seeking recipes that fit into your gluten-free lifestyle or looking for healthier meal ideas, I encourage you to take a chance on The Magic of Gluten-Free Cooking: 20 Home Cooked-Meals Made Easy. Your gut will thank you! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

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Meet the Author

Julia Matto is the author of The Magic of Gluten Free Cooking. Her work is dedicated to gluten-free cooking, and helping readers with the skills they need to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle. Julia is married and lives in Connecticut. She enjoys gardening; and playing with her Frenchie.

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My Secret Recipes by Pixie Publishing House (Book Review)


RECORD ALL YOUR SECRET RECIPES: This Blank Recipe Book is perfect for recording all your favourite recipes. It is beautifully designed, easy to use, well-organized, and includes large spaces to write in. You can write down your most loved recipes.

CUSTOMIZED RECIPE PAGES: Each Recipe page includes the Recipe Name, Number of Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Ingredients, Instructions and Notes which makes it easy to write down your most loved recipes in one place so you can create and share them in years to come.

BLANK RECIPE BOOK FEATURES:
Premium Matte Color Cover, space to record your most loved recipes, extra space for Notes- such as recipe source, tips and tricks etc.

GREAT GIFT IDEA: Lovely Gift or Present for foodies, cooks, friends, spouse, wife, husband, dad, mom, brother, or sister for Birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Holidays & Christmas.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

We all, at some point, need inspiration on what to cook. Pictures of what people are eating and how-to videos for preparing different cuisines are hot commodities.  

If you’re lucky, you have a family recipe book that houses delicious food passed down from one generation to the next. Whether you have a book, binder, or recipe box full of recipes or want to start one of your own, I’d consider using My Secret Recipes by Pixie Publishing House. This cooking journal lets you store seventy-five recipes in one location.

Each card has basic information: recipe name, ingredients, and directions. There was also a serving size chat and preparation time. While this was standard information for a card, I was pleasantly surprised to see there was a place to mark which category the recipe falls under: vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, sugar-free, and low salt. There are countless diets and dietary restrictions on the market, so this check box area benefits those seeking a specific recipe to fit their nutritional needs, families, and guests. 

Another feature that impressed me was the star rating. Have you ever looked through your recipe box and tried to remember if the food was a hit or miss? Was there an aspect of said recipe that needed tweaking? If so, this portion allows short notes. For instance, you could shade 3 out of five stars and add “too spicy” or “bland” under the rating system. 

My Secret Recipes would make an excellent housewarming gift. It would also be a fantastic idea for birthdays, bridal showers, Christmas, etc. It’s perfect for any gender, age, avid cooks, and individuals looking to spend more time in the kitchen and less on take-out. 

I recommend you purchase a copy for yourself and another for a friend or family member. And remember, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe (Thomas Keller).”

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Click HERE to be redirected to Pixie Publishing House’s website. 

 

 

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The Christmas Movie Cookbook: Recipes from Your Favorite Holiday Films by Julia Rutland (Book Spotlight)

Bring the merry festivities from the screen right to your own table with The Christmas Movie Cookbook with more than 65 scrumptious recipes inspired by scenes from your favorite Christmas films.

Do you ever yearn for roast turkey while watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Or, for the more cynical, do you wish you could taste the roast beast from How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Well, top up your mug of eggnog and don your coziest ugly sweater: ‘tis the season to recreate the dishes from all of your favorite holiday movies with the help of The Christmas Movie Cookbook.

This season you can indulge alongside your favorite Elf characters as they make special spaghetti and get tipsy with the Bad Moms crew while they imbibe their spiced cider. Just crack open The Christmas Movie Cookbook and discover sixty-five mouthwatering recipes to add joy to any holiday gathering.

Recipes include:
-Old Fashioned Meatloaf from A Christmas Story
-Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheddar Cheese Soup from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
-Christmas Pudding from A Christmas Carol
-Breakfast Strata from The Family Stone
-Really Rich Hot Chocolate from Polar Express
-And much more!

Complete with tips on entertaining and menu ideas for your merry gatherings, The Christmas Movie Cookbook is the perfect companion to your holiday season.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Julia Rutland is a Washington, DC-area writer and recipe developer whose work appears regularly in publications and websites such as Southern LivingCoastal Living, and Weight Watchers books. She is the author of Discover DinnertimeThe Campfire Foodie CookbookOn a StickBlueberriesSquashFoil Pack Dinners, Apples, 101 Lasagnas & Other Layered Casseroles, Tomatoes, and Honey. Julia lives in the Washington, DC, wine country town of Hillsboro, Virginia, with her husband, two daughters, and many furred and feathered friends.

Simon and Schuster.com

 

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Sweet Love by Iman Osman (Book Review)

Sweet Love is a compilation of classic desserts handed down from one generation to the next. It is the way Iman’s family connect, sharing and making new memories. The intention behind this book is to revive bonding, love, appreciation, and connection throughout generations of families through the love of baking.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

“Sweet Love is a compilation of classic desserts handed down from one generation to the next. The intention behind this book is to revive bonding, love, appreciation, and connection throughout generations of families through the love of baking.” – Iman Osman

The author’s intent with Sweet Love is to bring her kids and her mother together over our shared love for food, for the timeless desserts that her grandmother has passed down to them. I couldn’t wait to see what seasonal and nonseasonal desserts Iman had shared. 

Iman Osman did not only offer recipes; they also shared tips. For starters, they instructed readers on what to use in place of ghee, how to properly cut and store a vanilla bean, and dividing a cake. As a fan of cooking and baking shows, I’ve seen bakers (professionally and home cooks) attempt to do the perfect split. I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it’s time to try it using Iman’s instructions. 

Iman Osman’s family recipes look divine. Oh, how I wish I could reach inside my laptop and pull out the beaters. I bet the chocolate ganache tasted delicious. 

My family loves raspberry jam, so I know they will be thrilled if they see me making fresh jam for them. With only three ingredients, the recipe will be easy on the wallet. Since I have never made fresh jam before, I appreciated all the “Tips and Tricks” and the storing information. 

The “Linzer Cookie” also looked yummy and activated my sweet tooth. I will have to try it this winter. Thank you, Iman, for the “How to assemble a Linzer Cookie.” You took the guesswork out of the process! 

There are numerous mouth-watering recipes in Sweet Love. Chocolatey, fruity, custards, pudding, biscuits, cheesecake, cookies, nutty—Iman has that and much more! 

This book contained recipes for desserts that I have tried before in my home and through travels. It also had desserts I’ve only seen on television and longed to try, such as “Granita” and “Kunafa.” With Iman’s how-to images, tips, and suggestions, I feel empowered to take them all on. My family will thank you; my waistline, not so much. 

Sweet Love is the perfect book for any time of year. So, grab your apron, and let’s serve something sweet for your family tonight! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link
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Natural Beauties: Homemade Wellness Tips from Head to Toe by Marita & Mimina Meza (Book Spotlight)

NATURAL BEAUTIES: Homemade Wellness Tips from head to Toe by Marita and Mimina Meza

As twin sisters with lifelong careers in the beauty industry, Marita and Mimina Meza learned many insider tips and tricks for taking care of themselves, using affordable, natural ingredients as beauty and wellness products. They have put them to the test, creating masks, creams, and scrubs. If the recipes didn’t make a real difference, they moved on to something else, always looking for the best methods of caring for their bodies and minds.

This book contains only the best beauty advice and recipes from their many years of modeling and pageants, and it’s all rooted in natural ingredients. Marita and Mimina believe nature provides everything you need for a beauty regiment that will keep you looking younger while staying healthy. Instead of searching for beauty products that don’t contain harmful chemicals, it’s easier and less expensive to make your own products at home. In this book, the twins will show you how, helping you to look and feel youthful and invigorated every day.

 
Buy the Book:
Amazon
Target ~ B&N
 
 
 

Originally from Venezuela, Marita and Mimina Meza have had lifelong careers in the beauty industry. Along the way, they learned many insider tips and tricks for taking care of themselves and looking healthy using natural products. Marita and Mimina believe nature provides everything you need for a beauty regiment that will keep you looking younger while staying healthy. Instead of searching for beauty products that don’t contain harmful chemicals, they believe it’s easier and less expensive to make your own products at home. 

connect with the authors:  
website ~ facebook ~ instagram

 
 
 

 

 
 

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