Quick and Healthy, Volume II: More Help for People Who Say They Don't Have Time to Cook Healthy Meals

I have both this book and the first one. I found them browsing in a book store, paid full cover price, and I'm not sorry. They are excellent!!! If you are on a low salt diet, you can use most of these recipes without modification. If not, you can simply salt or spice to taste if you desire more robust flavor (but I've only found this necessary once or twice). Two improvements I would recommend - the weekly menus should have page #s for recipes from the book, and the menu plans should take into account the food that you are already buying for the week. For example, I've had to buy some things that only come in 16oz packages for just one recipe that only required 1oz! So, the weekly menu plans should try to reuse similar ingredients, as much as possible while still providing variety. But, both of these issues can be worked around with just some simple pre-planning before you go shopping. My husband hasn't even noticed he's eating healthier - and this is someone who always picks the worst kinds of food to eat. My Dr. recommended I lose some weight. After buying these books, I brought them in and asked her opinion of them. She liked them so much, she made photocopies of the covers so she could recommend them to her other patients! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

I've had both of these cookbooks for several years now. They are pretty ragged because they've been used so much! It would not be an exaggeration to say that we have fixed over 50 recipes between the two books. Both my husband and I work, and we have two children. These cookbooks have made our lives so much easier. The recipes are easy to prepare, don't involve too many steps or ingredients, and use "normal" ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. A few of our favorites: Chicken Stir-Fry Sandwich, Ricotta Pizza, Seafood Gumbo, Chicken Rainbow Salad, and Frozen Fruit salad (which we divide into four containers and eat for dessert every few nights.) We do occasionally tweek things to match our tastes, but I've found most of the recipes are very flavorful.I love these cookbooks. I wish Mrs. Ponichtera would write a few more!

Brenda J. Ponichtera is not only a registered dietitian, she knows how to cook in a way that's both flavorful and healthy. Taking the knowledge from her days as a dietitian, she has designed and tested 190 recipes for each volume of this book (Quick and Healthy Recipes and Ideas AND Quick and Healthy Volume II) which will taste great and keep the pounds off. Not only helpful for dieters, this book contains necessary nutrient exchanges and helpful information for diabetics.These down-to-kitchen books can help anyone learn to cook in a healthy way. Sample dinners are included in both books and the second edition contains sample menus as well as pre-made grocery lists. Although page numbers are hard to find from the sample menus, a helpful index solves the confusion and lists recipes by principle ingredient. Each recipe includes a description and ingredient list and preparation time can estimated by scanning the instructions, but the stand out here is a table at the bottom which contains number of servings, calories, fat, and exchanges - a sure to help any dieter. Trying a sample menu leads to easy shopping (just put the list into an online grocery store, although check quantities before ordering), fairly quick preparation times, a limited number of ingredients, and tasty results (the Creamy Seafood Fetticini even won over my seafood reluctant friend). The sections on determining your ideal weight and calorie intake, as well as the nutrient analysis tables in the back are indispensable. With a minimum of creativity and time, anyone can cook well and healthily with this book, making sure it will have a place on my counter for years to come.

I have so many cookbooks that I look at once or twice and never use. This is not one of those books! I received my book about two weeks ago and have already prepared 5 of the recipes. They were all fast and easy to prepare with ingredients that I already keep in my home. Best of all...My husband and kids loved them, they didn't even notice that they were eating healthy foods. Our Favorite so far is the recipe for Chicken Enchaladas. I have now ordered the first volume of this book and anxiously look forward to receiving it too!

This cookbook is just what it claims to be and the menu suggestions are a great help in providing a complete meal. I have tried recipes from each category and feel confident that ingredients and cooking times are accurate. Flavor is never sacrificed even when being conscious of dietary needs. Servings are just right for couple or provides leftovers for single person. I'm buying it for friends!