Whole Foods for the Whole Family: La Leche League International Cookbook

My mom was a La Leche League Leader in the '70's and 80's. My family was one of the many who reviewed recipes for this book. When it was published, in 1981, my mom bought 4 copies, one for herself, and one for each of her daughters. Some of my first cooking memories are of using recipes from the children's cookbook that is nestled at the center of this book. It's whole-food health food at it's best, from back before it was trendy. It's encyclopedic in how much it covers, from how to start sourdough from scratch to meal planning and tips on how to feed toddlers. The I-ought-to-feel-guilty cheesecake, that uses a mix of soft cheeses, or tofu, and very little sweetener, featured at many birthdays in our house growing up, and is one of my husband's favorite recipes today. It's from a time before vegan and gluten free were common dietary choices, but many recipes could be altered for these diets by a knowledgeable cook. There are numerous vegetarian recipes, although it isn't specifically vegetarian, and many strategies for stretching meat to feed a family. I still have my original copy, but I'm here searching for a second to give as a gift to a friend who also grew up with it in the 80's. It may be more of a search than I'd anticipated!

I love this book. It has whole grain, healthy recipes but unlike so many others is NOT vegetarian. It tells you how to make your own yogurt, sourdough, sausage, salami, "bisquick" type mix, etc. The ingredients are easy to find, recipes geared toward family eating, frugal meals. Can't say enough good things about this book. When we first started eating healthy it was a godsend b/c the meals were GOOD, unlike some crazy healthy eating cookbooks. The instructions are easy and it walks you through things you thought would be complicated like yogurt making and sourdough. (which are really quite easy) The other thing I like is that most recipes give substitution options for different ingredients. If you want to eat healthier, make stuff homemade with lots of whole grains, veggies and not give up meat, this is a great resource.

I checked out this book from my local LLL group's library and I just love it! The recipes are quick, easy, healthy, and cheap. So far, I've liked everything I've made and the banana bread and pudding recipes (made with no refined sugar and only whole wheat flour) are excellent. My toddlers and husband loved them too. There are plenty of both vegetarian and meat recipes- I'd say it's a pretty good mix overall. I am particularly pleased with the wide selection of healthful dessert recipes since we have a lot of sweet tooths around here. I am definatly going to purchase this one!

I have used Whole Foods for the Whole Family as my main cook book for the past 15 years. We have a number of food sensitivities; this is addressed in the book with lots of appropriate receipes. There are also receipes that are very basic - for example, calling for flour of choice (I use rice flour in everything!). It has also been easy to adapt many other receipes to our needs. The Kids' Cookbook section is great: simple things children of a wide variety of ages can make; I make a lot of them, too. This is a cook book that makes even difficult sounding dishes very possible, even easy. Another thing I like is that most receipes list variations. This book has really helped me feed my family well and has helped me learn to cook better. I use it almost every day.

I love the "Whole Foods" Cookbook. There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and side dishes all clearly laid out and easy to follow. All recipies have the approximate calories, protein, carbos, fiber, etc, per serving listed. There are recipies to make your own breads, yogurt, butter, cheese, and peanut butter. All the recipies use whole and natural foods, stressing the importance of a properly balanced (and yummy) meal. This books tells how not to waste parts of vegetables you thought you couldn't use. It understands that time is important and tells clearly which recipies are quick and which take a little more time. Even healthy kids' snacks are included. I resoundingly reccomend this book to anyone wanting to improve nutrition and lessen grocery costs.

I've had this cookbook since in came out around 15 years ago, and am needing another copy because it's so well used! Many tasty but healthy recipes. The best "health food" cookbook I own.