Culinarytherapy: The Girl's Guide to Food for Every Mood

Culinarytherapy promises to solve emotional and psychological issues with just the right recipes. The headnotes are fun to read and the instructions have a conversational style. The first chapter is filled with decadent foods to seduce your inner goddess. Lobster, expensive cheese, truffle mousse and caviar all make their appearance. There are a few surprises like soup you can make in a cocktail shaker. The comfort food section has instructions to make everything from your own tortillas to burritos and guacamole. French fries, chocolate chip cookies and Rice Krispie treats are also included. This chapter is definitely not for anyone on a diet. The "Recipes for Revenge" section is meant to be humorous but also has a serious side because of the notes on food history. This chapter has personality but tends to be a little on the wild side. On the flip side, there is a chapter for cooking for the one you love. Oatmeal cookies, pork chops and a chocolate soufflé make their appearance. In the "Culinary Vacations" chapter travel is optional. Why not stay home and cook up recipes to satisfy your wanderlust. While they are not as exotic as you may expect there is a surprising recipe for making your own Kentucky Fried Chicken. If you are looking to embrace your inner guy then you may enjoy making your own beef jerky and chili. The dessert section has recipes for Chocolate Pizza and French-Fried Ice Cream. More comfort foods include Boston Cream Pie, Mac and Cheese and Chicken Noodle Soup. There are lists for stocking your pantry that are as humorous as they are helpful. The book ends with "Food for the Soul." Throughout this book there are sections on "audiotherapy" and "cinematherapy." Unique and sometimes bizarre quotes are also a feature. In almost every section there is also a recipe for a food facials so you look beautiful while cooking your way to a better you. I read the "church bulletin bloopers" to my husband and he also thought they were pretty funny. ~The Rebecca Review

It says in big print on the back cover "Food = Happiness" and it sure does, if it's tasty, that is, and if you don't overdo it. I was a big girl in school, not big boned, fat, because I over did it. Now I'm thin, because I watch my weight, but I still love to eat, so instead of stuffing myself, I eat in moderation, but I don't moderate the taste. For me, food does equal happiness. It is possible to eat, love it, be happy about it and be thin. Okay, that said, this isn't a diet cookbook. I don't really like diet cookbooks. I like good food, but as I said above, you don't have to overdo it. Though there are some recipes here that will challenge any girl's will power, like "The Simultaneous Orgasm" on page 82. This is a chocolate souffle recipe that will melt your lips to your lover's (the author recommends you and he simultaneously eat it, thus the title of the recipe) plus knock your socks off. There is food for every mood, for every occasion, for dinner and dessert, in this sorta, kinda chick lit cookbook and strangely enough, I use it a lot. Of the zillion and one cookbooks I own, this is absolutely one of my favorites. Oh, yes, my favorite recipe in the book is "Smart Blonde Profiterole." Emmm, Good. Review Submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

Or your Inner Guy or vengeful vamp or penny-saving patisserie-dreaming Pollyanna. Beverly West has conjured up culinary, movie, quote and libation magic yet again. The recipes are wonderful too.