Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: Meatless Meals for Meat Eaters by Miriam Barton

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I’m not a vegetarian, but I’m also not a huge meat fan–I’ve often said I could be a vegetarian if I knew how. But the thing is–Barton’s cookbook isn’t about trying to get people to be a vegetarian, rather it is about teaching people healthy eating skills and giving them a chance to reduce the amount of meat in their diet.

It’s a fact–we eat too much meat EVERY day. A meal can still be a meal without meat. What?! You might say, How? This is why I’m sharing Barton’s cookbook with you today.

The first thing I made were her delicious peanut butter granola bars. My kids and hubby devoured them and oh my goodness, I wanted to eat 10 of them! I was so excited to have a healthy after-school snack for the kids, who come home ravenous. I took some pictures of my food to show you. That is the only thing I would change about the cookbook if I could–add pictures to the recipes–but I found a solution! You can visit Miriam Barton’s blog HERE and you’ll see tons of pictures and even MORE delicious recipes.

Um, yeah–they disappeared so fast!

Next I made Mixed Vegetable Lo Mein and can I just say how surprised I was at the delicious flavor? It didn’t need extra salt–the combination of flavors was perfectly satisfying and again, my family loved it.

I can’t wait to try more recipes. Our grocery budget is always something we’re working on and we’ve been cutting back on meat-filled meals because they are more expensive. I figure the Mixed Vegetable Lo Mein cost about .50 cents a person for my family of six–maybe even less since there were leftovers for lunch the next day!

What about you? Have you tried to cut back on meat, but it was difficult to find delicious meatless recipes?

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Book Review: Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook by Shannon M. Smurthwaite

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Today’s feature is absolutely beautiful and full of delicious potential! I love cookbooks and trying new recipes so when I saw Shannon Smurthwaite’s Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook, I couldn’t wait to review it. Packed with great full-color pictures and irresistible recipes, this cookbook would love to meet your kitchen! I loved the little details and history notes included in the book.

If you’ve wanted to learn more about Italian cooking, Mormon Mama Italian Cookbook is your new best friend.

Here’s more about the book:

Italian cooking has never been easier, nor more delicious! From her mother’s meatballs, to easy but authentic pasta dishes, focaccia bread, and simple truffles, Shannon’s recipes will excite even the pickiest eaters. Bring your whole family together for a little taste of Italy with this delightful and entertaining cookbook!

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Book Review: The Romney Family Table By Ann Romney

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

I love cookbooks with full color pictures but what really tugs at my wannabe chef heartstrings is the stories behind the recipes, so when I saw Ann Romney’s cookbook, I had to have it!

The Romney Family Table: Sharing Home-Cooked Recipes and Favorite Traditions is a wonderful guide to family cooking and delightful dinner times. I love the great tips included and the fabulous pictures showing the heritage of the Romney family. Previous presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, and his family have been in the spotlight for quite some time so I think it’s refreshing to see that they love to share in the same types of traditions and holiday fun as my family does.

Ann’s story is inspiring. She has raised a beautiful family while struggling with MS for a lot of years now. If you’d like to learn more about the Romney family and cook up some great recipes at the same time, you should definitely pick up a copy of this new book. I think it will be a perfect Christmas gift for a few people in my family who love cookbooks and the Romney’s!

Here’s more about the book:

Home is where good things happen. For the Romney family, the heart of the home is the kitchen. Pull up a chair as Ann Romney invites you into her home and kitchen, combining some of her favorite foods with memories of raising five boys (such as coming home to find her young son completely covered in Marshmallow Fluff). Part insider look, part cookbook, The Romney Family Table offers an irresistible blend of personal reflections, family photos, homegrown traditions, and more than 130 mouthwatering recipes that have bound a family together through the generations. Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, Ann is donating her proceeds from book sales to the Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston for the great work they do toward treatments and cures for neurological diseases.

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Book Review: The Secrets of Gluten-Free Baking by Jillayne Clements

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love a good cookbook and especially one that is healthy with delicious-tasting gluten-free recipes. And gluten-free baked goods? Yes, please!

Just over six years ago, I became very ill and it took some doing, but a special doctor and chiropractor were able to figure out that I had Leaky Gut Syndrome, which is a weird way of saying that my body was pretty much rejecting everything I ate. A side problem was that my liver decided to try to go into failure so I was suddenly very motivated to heal my body!

I went on a special diet and learned a ton about gluten-free cooking. I don’t know if I’ll always have to be gluten-free but let me tell you, if you’re just eating pre-made GF mixes from the store and other pre-made GF crap and you recognize that it is crap and also a diabetic nightmare, this is the cookbook for you! Jillayne Clements is my new hero! The Secrets of Gluten-Free Baking is the best cookbook I’ve seen for gluten-free eating. Jillayne shows how to simply and easily sprout rice and beans to make your own healthful, fresh, and tasty flours. Don’t let the word “sprout” scare you, it really is 5 minutes a day and to prove it, I have pictures.

I enjoyed making Black Bean Brownies, Chicken & Dumpling Soup, and these absolutely scrumptious Sourdough Pancakes–and all of it was gluten-free!

Here’s a picture of the batter for my pancakes

and the finished product, which my entire family enjoyed. Early on, I tried some gluten-free mixes that were absolutely disgusting. I’m here to tell you that Jillayne Clements recipes are delicious and healthy!

Here’s more about the book:

“ ‘You will never be able to eat anything with gluten for the rest of your natural life. EVER.’ ”
That’s what my doctor told me while I was sitting in his office with my jaw on the ground. . . . No wheat, rye, or barley for the rest of my life? No sourdough pancakes or pizza crust? No sprouted wheat bread fresh out of the oven? In my mind, this news equated to no more enjoyment of food.”

When The Secrets of Gluten-Free Baking author Jillayne Clements learned gluten was off the table, her taste buds rebelled. But she soon discovered that gluten-free food can be healthy and delicious! Use her unique whole-foods approach to create

• Cinnamon Rolls
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Honey Oat Bread
• Potato Rolls
• and more!

Whether you’re on a temporary or a permanent gluten-free diet, learn Jillayne’s tips, preferred ingredients, and secret against-the-grain methods to baking delicious food without gluten. This book blends taste and satisfying nutrition into mouthwatering gluten-free recipes your whole family will enjoy.

Bake your way to better health today!

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Book Review: A Year With Six Sisters’ Stuff

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

I’ve tried a few recipes from A Year With Six Sisters’ Stuff already and we especially loved the dinner conversation ideas. I loved the recipe for Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas–so easy and delish!

My family also enjoyed the special treat I made them from page 120, Homemade Applesauce! Nothing is better than warm applesauce on a cold day.

There are tons more recipes and ideas I’d like to try and the pictures are high-quality inspiration for the kitchen. I think this book would be a perfect gift for your mom AND your sisters.

Enjoy!

Here’s more about the book:

“What’s for dinner?” Three words every mom dreads.

Don’t panic! The Six Sisters are here to help you answer that question. The Sisters have gathered together more than 150 of their most popular recipes for entrees, side dishes, and desserts and have combined them into 52 stress-free menus of perfectly prepared three-course meals.

Filled with delicious tried-and-true family favorites and oh-so-easy-to-make dishes, A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff features all-new recipes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each menu is designed to make your dinner plans as easy as possible—and with such wide variety and a photograph accompanying every recipe in the book, you can easily mix and match menus to create a year’s worth of dinner ideas.

In addition, the Sisters share some of their favorite family dinner traditions and crafts, as well as 52 dinner conversation starters, a list of pantry staples, and, food storage plan for beginners.

So what’s for dinner? Whatever you’d like.

Other books you may enjoy:
Celebrate Every Season with Six Sisters' Stuff: 150+ Recipes, Traditions, and Fun Ideas for Each Month of the Year by [Six Sisters' Stuff]   
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Book Review: Beyond Basics with Natural Yeast by Melissa Richardson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

It’s a beautiful Fall day and I’m thinking of what I’d like to bake next. For me, if I want a baked good it has to be made with natural yeast or it’s a No-no. I have gluten sensitivity so I’ve been learning and caring for my natural yeast start for over a year now. I got started with Melissa’s first book, The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast. I baked all of the bread for my family for a year using my natural yeast start and it was wonderful!

I gave a start to my mom and she gave one back to me when mine went kaput. We were thrilled about Melissa Richardson’s new book Beyond Basics with Natural Yeast.

I couldn’t wait to try her new recipes. I love the pictures, tips, detailed instructions and the freedom to adjust the recipes to my personal tastes.

I also absolutely love the low-sugar recipes and that Melissa recommends using things like coconut oil and applesauce instead of vegetable oil and white sugar.

The starter summary on p.3-7 was an excellent reminder with a lot of extra tips on getting your starter in a healthy, bubbly state.

I made a double-batch of the Dad’s Sourdough Pancakes (p. 62) and they were an absolute hit! I cooked them all up and froze the rest for a super quick breakfast. I worried my kids might find the flavor too strong, but my start was healthy and fresh-smelling and worked perfect in this recipe. I thought they tasted mild compared to some sourdough pancakes I’ve tried.

I made the Quick and Easy Waffles on p.57 and the Carrot Cake Waffles on p.60. My kids liked them and I even garnished the waffles with grated carrot and they ate it up!

The Orange Blueberry Pancakes on p.64 were also delicious and easy to make up because I remembered to create the sponge mixture the night before.

I made the Lemon Poppyseed Muffins on p.70 and was so excited that I could eat a muffin! On this recipe, I actually cut the sugar in half and used 1/2 whole wheat in the recipe 1/2 white flour. I filled my cups all the way full because the first batch were wimpy when I filled them only 3/4 of the way as the recipe directed. They turned out great and I skipped the optional glaze because I didn’t want the extra sugar. My kids loved them and over the next couple days ate them for breakfast, lunch, and an after-school snack.

I know that I’ll probably end up baking every recipe in this book. I am a natural yeast fan and if you want a healthy, whole-grain option for your family, learn this lost art and get baking!

Here’s more about the book:

With allergies to commercial yeast on the rise, natural yeast is the easy and healthy solution to baking all the foods you love. Brush up on your techniques with Melissa Richardson’s newest book, Beyond Basics with Natural Yeast, with mouthwatering recipes like Soft Pretzel Rolls, Honey Whole Wheat Bread, and Lemon Chiffon Cake. Say goodbye to commercial yeast, and hello to a healthier body!

Other books you may enjoy:

The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast: Breads, Pancakes, Waffles, Cinnamon Rolls and Muffins by [Warnock, Caleb, Richardson, Melissa]   

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