Healthy Cooking for Kids: Building Blocks for a Lifetime of Good Nutrition

I love this cookbook. This is one I go back to again and again. My four 1/2 year old grew up eating all the recipes in this book and now he loves helping me make them. I buy a copy for all my friends as a baby shower present.

Shelly Null's Healthy Cooking for Kids... is an absolutely wonderful book! She provides many alternatives to classic American favorites such as carob chip cookies in lieu of chocolate chip without using butter,eggs or chocolate. The cookies were delicious and my non-vegetarian husband enjoyed them very much. Being a vegetarian myself and wanting to extend the nutritional and health benefits of a vegetarian diet to my daughter who is 15 months old and not being sure where to begin, in regards to making sure my daughter receives the proper nutrition, this book is an excellent place to start! I feel so much more confident in being able to provide a healthy diet to my daughter (beyond breastfeeding) now. Ms. Null has a very informative section in the beginning and her recipes are very easy to prepare and fun to eat! If you are concerned and dedicated about making sure your children eat healthy wholesome foods this book is for you, since the book provides very useful information on why to eat organic, non-dairy foods and provides very helpful delicious alternatives.

There are those parents who buy bulk foods at the health food store and thoughtfully plan a variety of nutritious meals for their vegetarian children every day. Then there is me, who considers herself a candidate for mother of the year if she manages to feed her child spaghetti for supper, rather than peanut butter and jelly. This book helps. It is filled with nutritious, creative recipes that please adults as well as children. For the most part, the recipes have simple ingredients and are quick and easy to prepare, although the book does contain some more time-consuming recipes, such as Mama Palma's Pizza, that would be strictly weekend endeavors at my house. My favorite of the recipes I tried was the Razz-Matazz-Berry Salad. Mario's Stuffed Shells were a big hit with my husband and 18-month-old son, and my son and I really liked French Toast of the Town (try it with the maple glazed bananas). The book begins with a section called "A Healthy Approach to Feeding Our Families," which contains information about food and water safety, basic necessities of a vegetarian kitchen, and food allergies. It also has menu and party planning sections and a helpful section on nutritional requirements and food values. However, the bulk of the book is recipes, all of which are vegetarian and most of which are vegan (there is honey in a few of the recipes). This book would be a godsend to any parent who needs new ideas for imaginative, nutritious vegetarian meals, when peanut butter and jelly just doesn't cut it anymore. -Reviewed by Susannah Ruis

Shelly Null's Healthy Cooking for Kids is my absolute favorite cookbook! I've loved each and every recipe in this book. Unlike other cookbooks, where some recipes just don't seem to come out right, these recipes are on the money. If anyone is trying to start eating more vegan meals, this is the book to try. From yummy brownies to vegan mac n cheese to amazing pancakes....they all come out so fabulous you don't need the butter (and won't miss it). Most of the recipes are quick to prepare and easy to make. AND even easier to eat! A definate for any healthy eater, and a must for a healthy eating parent!

Shelly Null's book is BETTER then any cookbook by her dad. Her recipes are consistent with her nutritional advice, accurate and easy to follow. A very helpful feature is the "note" at the end of most recipes recommending alternatives for variety. Here are a few of my favorites from the book:SAVORY QUICHE (I made it with mushrooms, spinach and roasted red peppers) was so good that my non-veg husband couldn't tell it had no cream or eggs. The healthy crust was simple to make and delicious. PECAN OATMEAL WAFFLES - super simple, super tasty. ROSENDALE CAFE STROGANOFF- a bit of work, but worth it. GARLICKY GREENS - 15 minutes start to finish & my 2 year old who hates greens was eating them off my plate!Most recipes are easy and take very little time but don't trust the preparation time numbers. Rinsing grains and chopping veggies takes a bit more time then suggested. The Appendices are great. The Natural Foods Wholesalers section has already saved me many times the cost of the book.I just reread my review over 2 years later... I still agree with it. Further, contrary to another review above, my son (now almost 4) and the one I've had since (age 1) both like hummus! Start 'em early!