The Mediterranean Heart Diet: Why It Works and How to Reap the Health Benefits, with Recipes to Get You Started

I bought 3 different cook books at the same time. This is my favorite. The walnut topped portabello mushrooms are to die for. Everything in this book that I've tried so far has been excellent.

I love the food. I never realized there were so many different Herb and spices and what they were for. I always used Garlic salt instead of real Garlic. I replaced our regular salt with sea salt.Our cooking oil is now extra virgin olive oil. I am not only enjoying great food but healthier meals and I feel great.

This book has well explains the science behind the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. It also has wonderful easy recipes to get one started in modifying one's diet to reap these health benefits. A complementary book to this one is "Easy and Healthful Mediterranean Cooking" by Mary El-Baz.

I cook for my father who recently had bypass surgery, he also has congestive heart failure. The Mediterranean diet was recommended for him. I love this book, so far every recipe I have tried from Artichoke/hazelnut soup to the Beef stew to the Meatballs mozerella has been wonderful. The description of the diet in the beginning of the book is helpful and thorough. A plus for me was that a Registered Dietitian was involved in the writing of the book. I think the recipes in the book are easy and doable for everyone. (I have read other Mediterranean cookbooks which have very difficult and exotic recipes.) Its a good starting book if you want to try a healthful diet.