The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook: Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women-- And Their Families

I bought this cookbook a few months ago after I was sick and weak for an entire month. I am not a vegetarian but I am a nursing mom who is trying to eat healthier. While the cookbook contains sections geared towards pregnancy (like herbal tonics), you do not have to be pregnant to enjoy this cookbook. For that matter, you don't have to be nursing or even have kids. This book covers foods from very basic things like millet and quinoa to fun yummy foods like tortilla soup, shepherds pie, spanikopita, etc. I NEVER write reviews but thought this book deserved a great one that other peope should know about. The food contents are the following: -breakfasts (hot & cold cereals, pancakes, waffles, french toast, -eggs, tofu, potatoes, toast, bagels, and english muffins) -sandwiches (cold, hot, breadless lunches) -salads & dressings -soups and stews (stock, soup, stew) -side dishes (grains, vegetables, cultured vegetables, biscuits) -main dishes (savory pies, casseroles, bean & legumes, burgers, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, pastas, stir-fries, and tofu dishes) -dips, spreads, sauces, and condiments (salsas, dips, spreads, yogurt, cottage cheese, sauces, gravies, seasonings, condiments, breadcrumbs) -snacks (savory snacks, quick breads, muffins, doughnuts, scones, crackers, bars, and cookies) -desserts (cakes, crisps, pies, fruit, pudding, frozen treats, dessert toppings) -beverages (dairy and non-dairy, thirst quenchers, smoothies, shakes, teas, and tonics) I cook exclusively from this cookbook now and my family is very happy with all the recipes. We are very healthy too. This cookbook focuses on how to make food their absolute healthiest. For example, most soups contain miso or nutritional yeast to boost the nutritional value. A muffin recipe I recently made had 1/2 cup of ground almonds added to the flour mixture. A creamy broccoli soup I made had ground raw cashews in it. I've served things like creamy parsnip soup to guests and they were delighted at how yummy and healthy it was. I was a horrible soup maker before this cookbook came along and now I am awesome! To make things even better, the format is easy to follow. I have NEVER found a cookbook that was so perfect for my lifestye. TO make things better yet, the author gives ideas about how to reuse leftover oatmeal in muffins and provides ayummy recipe for it. She gives tips for how to make pregnancy, nursing, and life with kids easier as far as food goes. Things like putting together dry ingredients in the morning, then mimixing the wet in later, then baking even later. She really understands pregnancy and how moms need to conserve energy. I have low blood-sugar problems and the quick lunches and helpfu tips help me like nothing ever has. Add that together with truely healthful foods and I haven't experienced blood-sugar problems since I started using this book. I don't even have constructive criticism for this book, it is awesome is every regard.

I'm in my first trimester and am very conscious about what I eat. Being a vegetarian (and first time mom), I was initially worried I may not get the right nutrition for my growing baby. Not anymore... This book is fantastic. There's a lot of great information about the nutrition needed before, during and after pregnancy. There are even suggested menus for pre-conception, 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The recipes are delicious and easy to make. This book is a must have. I also recommend "Your Vegetarian Pregnancy: A Month-by-Month Guide to Health and Nutrition"

Cathe Olson, author of Simply Natural Baby Food is back! And, wow! From shopping lists to sample menus to sound nutritional information for pregnancy and lactation, this book covers everything you want to know, and more! There are sections on how to supplement your diet to help with everything from cravings, constipation and heartburn to a colicky baby, lack of breastmilk and depression. But that's only the beginning. There are over 300 recipes in this cookbook. When I first got this book, I started by writing little notes to myself in the margins: things like "Yumm!", "Quick and Easy" and "Great!" Pretty soon, I realized the whole book was being marked up and now I have little post-its sticking out all over to remind myself to "make that again!" Every recipe has been a hit! Many of the recipes are vegan; those that aren't offer a vegan alternative. Each recipe offers nutritional information and key nutrients. Many of the recipes offer freezing directions and variation ideas. In addition to seemingly endless healthful recipes and unique ideas for everything from breakfasts to snacks, to stews, entrees and desserts the whole family will dive into, Olson offers a variety of teas and tonics to soothe pregnancy discomforts. This book should be in every family's kitchen! It is truly the best `family' cookbook I have come across. --Ginger Carlson

First of all, I'm thrilled that a cookbook has been written specifically for vegetarian mothers. When a woman becomes pregnant, health and good nutrition take on a whole new and higher level of importance. Cathe Olson clearly understands this, and with the release of her new book The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook, provides a comprehensive guide to healthy eating during pregnancy, complete with recipes the whole family will enjoy. I first became acquainted with Cathe's writing and recipes when I purchased her book Simply Natural Baby Food. I was so impressed with her approach to nutrition, the way she stresses variety and balance -- which, unfortunately, is not something all cookbooks achieve. From Cathe's baby food recipe book I have gleaned lots of valuable information to help me make the best nutritional choices for our son, and I've discovered that Cathe's new cookbook is just as informative and helpful. Readers will notice that Cathe is sensitive to the needs of vegetarians, vegans and non-vegetarians alike, and presents wheat-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options within the book. My only regret is that The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook was not released sooner. I, like many pregnant women, suffered from morning sickness during the first trimester of my pregnancy and found little relief for my symptoms. The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook contains a collection of recipes for teas and tonics, including an "every day pregnancy tea" and an "anti-nausea tea," relief for the common discomforts of pregnancy. I also like all the extra details and information in the book: sample menus, time-saving tips, nutritional information - all help make the book thoroughly readable, more than just a cookbook. I'm so excited with Cathe's new book and I know you will be too! Indeed, The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook is one of the best cookbooks I've read to date! Melissa Neesham http://www.vegetarianwomen.com

This hefty yet not overwhelming volume would be welcome in any vegetarian or vegan kitchen. The subtitle is "Whole foods to nourish pregnant and breastfeeding women-and their families" but its usefulness will go on long after the woman of the house is pregnant and breastfeeding. The meals are simple to prepare, nourishing, and will appeal to all types of palates, from the very basic to the fussy to the adventurous. One standout feature is that each recipe, aside from displaying nutritional data, details key nutrients. So, it's easy to see which recipes contain nutrients important to pregnancy and lactation like iron, folate, and so on, and in what quantities. I sure wish I had this book when I was pregnant and breastfeeding. It's so much better than that ridiculous "What to Eat When You're Expecting," so much friendlier, and not the least judgemental. My "babies" are now vegan teens and we all enjoyed Cathe's Miso-Noodle Soup, Tofu Enchiladas, Pasta with Vegetables and Pine Nuts, and others. I have numerous post-its throughout the book marking recipes to be tried. I have lots of cookbooks in my kitchen aimed at more general audiences, but this cookbook for vegetarian moms will prove far more useful than most.