The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook, 2nd Edition: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family

My mom has been cooking out of this book ever since the early 2000s when my sister and I were diagnosed with food allergies. I bought myself a copy when I moved out, and it's still the most helpful cookbook that I own.

Cybele - I think your next cookbook should come with a string attached - so moms of allergenic children can wear it around their neck for easy reference. =) I'm talking about your book almost obsessively, because many of my friends have children that are allergic to foods. I don't know what I would do without this book. It offers families with multiple allergies a chance to have some normalcy in their diet...and everything tastes SO good. You really know how to create food that children (and parents) will enjoy. My son is allergic to wheat, dairy, soy, coconut, chocolate, tomatoes, and strawberries. I nursed him almost 2 years, so I had to avoid those things as well. Trying to avoid wheat and dairy have taken more reading and research than my MBA program! I'm now 7 months pregnant with my second son, and doing everything in my power to avoid allergenic foods on his behalf. We use your book all the time. Your book is such a gift to foodies that have to avoid mainstream ingredients. I could give you such a huge hug just for how you enabled us to have "normal" cakes and cookies at birthday parties for my son. That means so much to me to give him some sense of normalcy. We LOVE your oatmeal cookie recipe - it's a standard fare around here. =) Truly, I could go on and on... I keep sending a copy of your book to each new mom I find that has to avoid ingredients. Please keep up your GREAT work. It's such a needed tool for moms in situations like ours. If you ever come out with a sequel, put me on your list!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This cookbook was a very helpful addition to my library. I have tried 7 recipes so far and my husband and kids loved them all. I can't believe it! My 11-year-old has multiple food allergies and my 5-year-old's allergist suggested that we try to go organic because of some ADHD-type issues (possible allergies to food additives, pesticides or preservatives?) and this seems to be a perfect resource. I like the juxtaposition of simple recipes for meat and potatoes types like my husband (meatloaf, swedish meatballs, coleslaw, chocolate cake, apple and cherry pie, mashed potatoes, cream soups, soft pretzels, shepherd's pie, chili, pot pie, banana bread, cornbread) with the more sophisticated recipes for things like osso bucco, chicken marsala, pomegranite glazed rock cornish game hens, curried lamb, and vietnamese summer rolls. You get an authentic feeling when the author writes about her italian dishes. She often gives familial/personal anecdotes which are fun to read. I wish my food heritage was so rich! As for some of the negative comments I've seen here, I'm surprized. Substitutes are always offered for people with severe wheat allergies. She has a section where she talks about mixing types of flour (specifically as an alternative to spelt) to get optimal results and she offers another book as a resource. In the beer-batter chicken nugget recipe, she suggests a specific brand of wheat-free beer (and, by the way, the alcohol cooks out). I agree about the chopped livers, sorry...but there are 199 other recipes I'll try. She has included a great pantry list. I found spectrum oils at my local health food store. The author also included a resource section and the website for spectrum oils is there. To the person who couldn't find Spectrum, maybe ask Spectrum directly where your closest source may be? It's so frustrating when the world seems to be trying to hurt your child by mislabeling, misdiagnosing and misunderstanding allergies. Your temper can get the better of you; mine has. I believe this cookbook may be one of a few that offers real advice and real alternatives.

I think I have almost all food allergy cookbooks out there and this has got to be the best one on my shelf. My family has turned to homecooking and building my food allergic child's immune system to deal with these food allergies. Through the use of probiotics, organic and unprocessed foods, and alternative medicine, I have witnessed her improvement in daily hives. This is the first cookbook I have read, pertaining to food allergies, that uses the healthy fats -(stable, high Omega fatty acid oils) , a variety of grains, no soy, herbs, alternative healthy sweetners and IS allergen free recipes like it claims. Of great importance, the author explains the benefits of organic meats, and emphasizes the increadible flavors you can get with maple sugar, molasses, and honey. My family will no longer be eating plain, grilled chicken with rice and greens, but flavorful, nutritionally dense meals. Debbie RN, Food Allergy Support Group leader--Tampa, FL

As I've aged, I've discovered that I cannot tolerate certain foods anymore. I purchased this cookbook hoping to find alternatives to the foods I love and I couldn't be happier with the selections. It's intelligent and helpful, particularly the shopping list. I've even started cooking again, after a few years of "take out" foods. I made the orange cake and served it to guests. No one had any idea it was not made with flour, eggs, etc. and everyone loved it. Thank you Cybele.

I got this book last week and have already made the Sweet Potato Cranberry Muffins for my daughter's class party, and the Coconut Squares for my work party. They were both delicious. My daughter and I do not eat wheat, dairy, or anything made with cane sugar, so these were great to have. The Coconut Squares were a little too sweet for me, but other people loved them. I also made the Beer-Battered Chicken Nuggets for my daughter's lunch last week. She loved them. And I was happy to find out that Corona is not made from wheat! (so I finished it off) I find the shopping list and brand list very helpful. I look forward to trying out the Shepard's Pie and the Porcini Risotto. I'll post another review after I try them.