COOKBOOKS
I always recommend checking out cookbooks from the library prior to purchasing to make sure the recipes suit your tastes, cooking preferences, and level of complexity. If I find myself repeatedly checking out the same book, then I know I have found a keeper and purchase it!
Listed below are some of my favorites and the reasons I like each one:
Practical Paleo 2nd Edition by Diane Sanfilippo--This is one of my favorite books for someone starting on the journey to healthy living. Diane talks science, meal prep, kitchen tools, and provides multiple meal plans in this book. These recipes are simple, fast, and do not require complicated or hard to find ingredients.
The Wellness Mama Cookbook by Katie Wells--This is one of the cookbooks I checked out so many times from the library, that I finally bought it! This cookbook is one that meshes well with my own personal cooking and taste preferences. Some of my favorites include mongolian beef, chicken pot pie soup, chewy chocolate chip cookies, and chia pudding. The recipes are not overly complicated, but are all flavorful.
Eat What You Love by Danielle Walker--The newest cookbook from Danielle, this one is all about comfort foods. Banana pudding, sloppy joes, and other favorites can be found here. As with all of her books, there are lots of ingredients and lots of steps and this can be overwhelming for someone just transitioning their diet. I would not recommend this as your first cookbook when transitioning to a real food lifestyle unless you are ready to completely overhaul your pantry and really love to cook.
Celebrations by Danielle Walker--Danielle's third cookbook that is centered around special occasions. Menus for Valentine's Day, Easter, birthday parties, etc can be found here. I would recommend this cookbook for the cake recipes and thumbprint cookies alone! I have made the carrot cake and red velvet cake multiple times and the thumpbrint cookies are great to take to parties or other gatherings.
Nom Nom Paleo & Ready or Not by Michelle Tam & Henry Fong--These cookbooks would be worth it for the super cute graphics alone! All of these recipes are full of flavor and not overly complicated. Ready or Not is divided into sections based on the amount of time you have to cook. My son routinely asks for the smashed chicken out of Nom Nom Paleo.
The Wheat Belly Cookbook & The Wheat Belly 30 Minute Cookbook by Dr William Davis--I can't have a list of cookbooks and not mention these. Wheat Belly was my introduction to the world of gluten free living and these cookbooks were the first two gluten free cookbooks I ever owned. Even now, they have some of my favorite recipes including salmon patties, granola, gingerbread cakes, chocolate coconut muffins, chocolate coconut tart (my husband's favorite!), and waffles.
Paleo Cooking in Your Instant Pot by Jennifer Robins--An absolute must have if you eat paleoish and own an Instant Pot. Jennifer's recipes are not overly complicated and always turn out delicious. I have gifted this book to multiple people who rave about it as well. Favorites include chicken bone broth, pork chops, vegetable beef soup (this freezes really well too!), & sweet potatoes.
The Primal Kitchen Cookbook by Mark Sisson--I received this cookbook as a free gift on one of my Thrive Market orders and have not tried all of the recipes, but it has recipes for delicious mayonnaise, snickerdoodle cookies, and chocolate cookies. (I promise that I don't just make desserts out of these cookbooks!)
The Whole30 (the original book NOT the Whole30 cookbook) & Whole30 Fast & Easy--The original Whole30 book is a wealth of information and outlines the guidelines of the Whole30 program. It also provides wonderful cooking basics for real food such as perfect fried eggs, perfect grilled chicken, perfect roasted vegetables, homemade mayonnaise, etc. Whole30 Fast & Easy is newer and has quick and simple recipes such as stir fries that are perfect for busy weeknights. Our favorite out of this book is the stir fry that uses Brussels sprouts as the base.