Book Review - 2012 Family Guide to Groceries Under $250 a Month

2012 Family Guide to Groceries Under $250 a Month

by Melissa Burnell

Rating *** (3 stars)

This book is a much needed upgrade to a previously reviewed book. While there are many improvements to the book, there are also still some of the same pitfalls.

Price is still more important then quality. It is hard enough to find organic produce - let alone price comparing between stores. The book is also very negative against advertising and grocery management. Yes the grocery stores want more money - we know this every time we walk in to one - the book could educate without the 'big brother' attitude. 

There is a whole section on how quantity is getting smaller, prices are staying the same, and recipes are failing all around the world. Yes, it came across that apocalyptic. 

There are some good ideas about pre making mixes and other such items. The way that they are stored in the pictures does not give the sense that they will last all that long. The author already suggests vacuum sealing - Why would she not vacuum seal her mixes as well?

The book ends with a whole bunch of recipes that will never be made in our house. Feeding your family on $250 a month is not hard - for years I feed ours on less then $150 a month. The trick is also feeding them healthy - which this book does not really help with.

Paleo Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

I admit that my meal planning was a bit rushed this month. It has been a bit hectic at work and it is amazing how that translates into less energy at home. The one one amazing new recipe that I did run across this month was Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes in the Paleo Cookbook For Beginners cookbook. I am very excited about this cookbook and you will see a review - and more creations from it.

The smell of the pancake mix is heavenly. It is a deep sweet cinnamon smell. Cooking them was great. The even turned out like my old gluten pancakes. No pancake so far has had such a good looking picture!

It was not until after I realized that this recipe does not call for any sugar - not even a banana or fruit of any kind. I was a bit hesitant how this would go over with the kids. They insist on putting aguava nectar or honey on top anyway. I liked the idea they were not getting a double dose. The best part is no one missed it. L LOVED these pancakes! So did J and S - but they are so much easier to please.

You will totally be seeing these again in the recipe line up.

Book Review - The Paleo Kid: 26 recipes that will transform your family

The Paleo Kid: 26 Recipes that will Transform your Family

by. Kate Evans Scott

 

Format: Kindle

Rating: ****(4 Stars)

This is one of those books that the rating will depend greatly on the reader. If you are a parent starting to transition your child to the Paleo diet then this book would be a great starting point. However, if you have been eating Paleo as a family for an extended period of time then there will be little new to discover in this cookbook.

The book starts with a brief introduction to the Paleo diet, including some shallow history of eating. It then continues to provide a list of food acceptable, unacceptable, and questionable while on the Paleo diet. Perhaps the most worth aspect of the introduction is the authors ideas on how to get your children involved in their diet change, as well as give them the skills to continue throughout their life. I have found that L is more likely to eat the new foods I have made if she helps me to cook them.

The recipes are then divided into breakfast, lunch, dinner, desert and condiments. There is between five to seven recipes for each section except for condiments. The condiments section contains a recipe for catsup and honey mustard. Some of the recipes are very simplistic, such as poached eggs, omelets, or asparagus wrapped in lunch meat.

However, other recipes are very useful. We are planning on using the almond cookie recipe for our Christmas cookies this year. L has also been asking for honey mustard, so I foresee me creating that soon as well. I am also excited about incorporating some new vegetables into our diet by using these child friendly recipes. It is a less daunting introduction for myself as well as my children.

Possibly the best part of this book is that the Kindle edition only costs $2.99 - well worth the recipes even if you don't use more then half of them.