Cookbook Review: 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness by Camila V. Saulsbury

Eating healthy has been a push in this country, not only by activists but also First Lady Michele Obama. Her influence has been in the limelight while raising consciousness in many communities and cultures. 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking follows in those footsteps by providing healthy recipes.

The introduction says “This book offers simple, delicious recipes that use ingredients with a proven track record in enhancing health or offering protection from diseases. The positive health benefits of the foods used in the recipes have been well established and confirmed in trials across the world over a period of years.” After reading this excerpt, I was ready to start testing.

For the purpose of the review, we are asked to test three recipes. The first recipe I tested was “Broccoli Carrot Slaw with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds.” The dressing was made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, agave nectar, Dijon mustard and salt. This was tossed into a combination of shredded broccoli stems, shredded carrots, chopped green onions and dried cranberries. It is suggested to chill in the fridge for up to 2 hours. The sunflower seeds are sprinkled on top just before eating. Served with a crusty roll, this made a great lunch. It’s simple to make and nutritious as well.

The second recipe I tested was “Pineapple Mint Chicken.” The cubed chicken breasts were sprinkled with a combination of ground cardamom, lemon zest, salt and pepper. The next step was to cook the onions in the skillet and when done adding the chicken until white all over. The pineapple, pineapple juice and broth were added and simmered until the chicken was cooked. Before serving, the dish was sprinkled with fresh mint. I served this dish with brown rice. What a delightful dinner dish! The sauce was slightly sweet from the pineapple and the chicken pieces were tender. The cardamom added a distinct flavor that was very pleasant. I’ll be making this dish again.

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Article Author: Irene Watson

Irene Watson reviews books for Reader Views. She authored an award winning memoir, The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference. Her newest book is "Rewriting Life Scripts: Transformational Recovery for Families of Addicts."

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  • 1 - Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

    Apr 21, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I agree. Juicing is another important step. The Vitamix 5200 is an excellent machine for this purpose.

  • 2 - Igor

    Apr 21, 2012 at 9:41 am

    Despite Americans obsession with food we still have poor nutrition. If I turn on the TV I see one cooking show after another and they are repellant with their pretentiousness and obsessiveness.

    The best foods are simple and inexpensive and modest.

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