Book Review: Nourish: Simple Recipes to Empower Your Body and Feed Your Soul: A Healthy Lifestyle Cookbook Hardcover — March 26, 2024 (Clarkson-Potter)

Let’s face it, healthy eating can feel like a never-ending uphill battle. We all struggle with bad habits, and the idea of whipping up nutritious meals night after night often leads to takeout menus, not recipe books. But what if healthy cooking wasn’t a chore, but a delightful exploration of fresh flavors and feel-good ingredients?

This is the magic that Gisele Bündchen, the supermodel turned wellness guru, weaves in her bestselling cookbook, “Nourish.” Forget intimidating health food fads — Bündchen’s approach is refreshingly simple and straightforward. Her book is brimming with over 100 easy-to-follow recipes that utilize everyday ingredients, proving that healthy doesn’t have to be synonymous with bland.

I wasn’t expecting much, to be honest. Celebrity cookbooks often feel impersonal, filled with unrealistic recipe goals. But Bündchen’s down-to-earth writing style and genuine passion for healthy living quickly won me over. It’s clear she’s not just preaching, she’s practicing.

At its core, “Nourish” is about nourishing your body from the inside out. Bündchen believes that feeling good starts with what you put on your plate. Her recipes focus on wholesome ingredients like lean protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and yes, even the occasional indulgence (think family pizza night!). Gluten-free options abound, featuring healthy alternatives like almond flour, avocado oil, and dates to keep you fueled throughout the day.

But “Nourish” is more than just a collection of recipes. It’s a roadmap to a healthier lifestyle. The first section of the book helps you develop a positive mindset around food, offering practical tips and strategies to kickstart your journey. Meal prepping becomes an empowering tool, not a dreaded chore, with Bündchen’s guidance on making healthy cooking a breeze.

Here’s a glimpse into the delicious world that awaits you:

• Sunrise Delights: Kickstart your day with fluffy veggie frittatas, creamy coconut milk variations, or the exotic-sounding Açaí bowls, all guaranteed to leave you feeling energized.
• Salad Sensations: Salads take center stage with options like the hearty steak salad or the vibrant beet and arugula salad with goat cheese. A personal favorite, the Arugula and Chicken Salad, promises to be a lunch-time staple.
• Veggie & Main Course Magic: Explore summer rolls dipped in a flavorful ginger-cashew sauce, lighten up your pizza night, or whip up a protein-packed pesto chicken wrap. Sheet pan meals become a lifesaver with options like Squash and Chickpeas or Zucchini Noodles with creamy Pesto Cashew sauce.
• Sweet Endings: Indulge without guilt with pecan bars, a dreamy banana cream pie, or healthy carrot muffins. And for those with a serious sweet tooth, Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies and Avocado Lime Mousse round out the delectable dessert section.

“Nourish” goes beyond the confines of your kitchen. It delves into mindful living practices — breaking unhealthy habits, setting goals, minimizing food waste — all to empower you to create a sustainable and joyful path to wellness. This book is your comprehensive guide to feeling your best, one delicious bite at a time.

Bio: Gisele Bündchen, a Brazilian-born fashion icon, has taken the world by storm. Since the early 2000s, she’s consistently ranked among the highest-paid models in the world. But her influence extends far beyond the runway. Bündchen is a passionate advocate for environmental and social causes, and her dedication to healthy living shines through in her empowering cookbook, “Nourish.”

Dean Jones is a Librarian, Cookbook Reviewer, and writer. Originally from San Diego and having lived his teen years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean has lived for over 30 years in the wonderful but barely affordable San Francisco Bay Area. Dean has graduated with an MLIS from the University of North Texas and has a BA in Liberal Studies from JFK University in the Bay Area. Dean is currently working on a second MA.

He can be seen at Book Festivals and haunting farmers’ markets, bookstores, and local restaurants. Dean has been published in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine”and writes on Medium for “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors what are you reading.” Dean is currently writing a regular collumn of cookbook reviews for the Benicia Times Herald. Contact Dean at wellseasonedlibrarian@gmail.com You can listen to my podcasts using the following link https://linktr.ee/thewellseasonedlibrarian