As you may remember, way back in October I participated in a pre-release blog tour for Lindsay Nixon’s newest cookbook, Happy Herbivore Light and Lean (check the post out for an interview with Lindsay and a Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!). A few weeks later I received my copy and promised a giveaway. Giveaways are marvelous, am I right? 😉
Well, today’s the day I am going to deliver! I wanted to wait until the holidays had settled down and we were all back to regular blogging activities before hosting this giveaway. I know several bloggers took breaks and just returned recently to posting. Also, I personally didn’t do as much blog reading for my three weeks of winter break and I’m sure many of you were the same. So in light of all of this I didn’t want anyone to come back and find they missed out on this opportunity!
Disclaimer: Although I received a free copy of Happy Herbivore Light and Lean to review, I did not receive any monetary compensation and all thoughts and opinions are entirely (100%) my own.
LIGHT
Review
As I’ve mentioned before, I am kind of atypical in the sense that I like to read cookbooks like I would any other fiction novel. And the night I received Happy Herbivore I got into bed and read through the entire thing just like I do when I get the newest release from my other favorite authors.
Here are my brief thoughts on the overall presentation:
The first thing I noticed as I flipped through the pages was the COLOR. There was not a single page that lacked color. With today’s technology I don’t think there is any excuse for black and white cookbooks (save for those spiral bound fundraising books made by the occasional old lady’s church group). Unlike most cookbooks that I’ve found where the only color is in the pictures of the food, each page had a complimentary color scheme and was just as fun to look at as the pictures themselves.
On each page there are extremely helpful sections to denote everything you would ever want to know about the recipe. You have allergen information at the top, nutrition information in the corners, and chef notes listed at the bottom. The majority of the page of course is taken up by the recipe with the ingredients and serving amounts on the side, and the directions written in paragraph format under the recipe description. As someone who usually writes recipes using numbers, I was at first a little surprised by how the directions were written out. After reading through the first few though, I began to like the flow and it made cooking seem more like the art it should be and less like some robotic GPS making you complete the first step before carrying onto the next (it’s something that I’m considering changing with my own recipes, but we’ll see!).
Also important to point out is that the pictures are not included on the recipe page but on the opposite facing page of the cookbook, making the directions and instructions less cluttered and giving room for a full page, full color shot of whatever you’re making.
That was the middle essence of the cookbook. The beginning consists of an introduction with a personal note from Lindsay, an index for all of the recipes listed by calorie count, tips on getting started, a shopping list, an explanation of caloric density, tips on lightening up your day, her personal health journey (loved this!) and an explanation of how to use the icons featured in the book.
At the end there is the appendix which has a glossary of ingredient descriptions, substitution ideas, kitchen prep “lingo,” additional resources, metric conversions, and an index where you can find a recipe both by its name and by ingredient.
Personal Note
When I spoke of this cookbook last, a few people commented to me that they didn’t understand why I was promoting something vegan. “Don’t you eat meat?” Yes, yes I do. I’m not going to pretend that I don’t eat meat and I’m not going to apologize for it either. My motivation behind reviewing this book was not to promote a vegan diet (or plant-based as many call it). I came at this from the position of someone who has food allergies, and recipes that are vegan are naturally perfect for those who are allergic to animal products like eggs, dairy, meat, fish, etc. Also, since Lindsay promotes mostly lower fat recipes, about 99% of the food is also peanut-free, nut-free and coconut-free too!
Food Allergies
So, with that point made, here are a few recipes that I think would be great for those with food allergies or various other dietary needs when it comes to food:
- Balsamic-Dijon Vinaigrette (pg. 137)
- Homemade Ketchup (pg. 8)
- Chocolate Surprise Frosting (pg. 12)
- Brody’s Gluten-Free Flour Blend (pg. 267)
- Everyday Mushroom Gravy (pg. 189)
- Deviled “Eggs” (pg. 203)
- Pumpkin Spice Latte (pg. 256)
- Oatmeal Pancakes (pg. 97)
- Sweet Potato Ice Cream (pg. 236)
- Microwave Peach Cobbler (pg. 137)
- Breakfast Tacos (pg. 145)
- Smoky Apple Baked Beans (pg. 172)
- Asian Orange Kale Salad (pg. 179)
- Loaded Mexican Potato (pg. 195)
- Carrot Soup (pg. 236)
- Skinny Pad Thai (pg. 161)
- Nacho Bowl (pg. 93)
- Leftovers Pot Pie (pg. 121)
- Caribbean Chili (pg. 116)
Other Reviews
If you want to check out all of the other bloggers who participated in the tours (along with their reviews and some sneak peak recipes!) check out this post and this post.
A few highlights were Kaila from Healthy Helper Blog who shared Meatloaf Bites:
Laura from Plant-Based Junkies with a Thai Crunch Salad:
And the Herbivore herself with a recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes:
LEAN
Review
Finally, as indicated in the title, Happy Herbivore Light and Lean also features an exercise section with a list of exercise suggestions that are 30, 20, 15 or 10 minutes in length and all burn 100 calories. Next she gives tips on how to fit exercise into your day and continues on with pages of workouts along with her personal trainer friend Jon Warren. My favorite part of this section was “Lindsay’s Body Blast” at the end where there is a page long description of a workout that Lindsay frequently does.
Here is a little snippet from the book explaining what the “Body Blast” is:
“This all-in-one exercise is what I do when my time (and space) is limited. It’s a little on the advanced side, so you may need to work up to it. It’s a killer circuit and I have a lot of fun challenging myself, drill-instructor style, to see how fast I can move through the exercise (while still keeping proper form!) and how many rounds I can go through before I’m wasted. (Usually two, but I’m a work in progress!)”
I have yet to try this out myself, but from just reading it over I think “killer” is the perfect description. One day when I build up the guts to do it I’ll report back and tell you how far I got!
Conclusion
Really, there’s nothing much more to say other than I am confident that you will love this book if you love cooking and baking as much as I do. This is my second book of Lindsay’s and I have enjoyed it just as much as the first. I know the soup recipes will come in hand this winter and the fresh delicious salad ideas will be welcome during spring. The true test of a good cookbook is its versatility across not only seasons, but also palettes (in this case, I am referring to food allergies) and this book truly has something for everyone.
Giveaway
If you made it through all of that, bravo! And if you just skipped to the bottom to win the giveaway, I can’t really blame you for that either. This giveaway goes live as soon as I publish this post. It will end one week from tonight and I will announce the winner next Monday morning after using Random Number Generator to pick who wins the cookbook.
Unfortunately this giveaway is limited to just U.S. and Canadian citizens (I can already hear the groans… I’m sorry!). However, if you would still like to participate and someone outside of the United States or Canada wins, I will give a consolation prize of allowing you to write a guest post on my blog about whatever your heart desires (within reason of course). Sound fair?
After I announce the winner, you will have three days to contact me via e-mail with a viable address or I will be forced to pick someone else.
Like with all of my past giveaways, I am going to include a number of ways that you can enter. I do this so that if you aren’t able to complete one of them for whatever reason then you still have several opportunities to win. You don’t have to do them all, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each below::
- Tell me what your #1 deal breaker is for a cookbook (Mine is obviously good pictures and color!).
- Follow me on Bloglovin or by e-mail (there is an entry box in the right side bar below my social media icons).
- Follow me on Instagram.
- Follow me on Pinterest.
- Follow Happy Herbivore on any of her social media sites: Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
And if by some chance you don’t win, make sure to check the cookbook out on Amazon where you can purchase it in e-book format for $9.99 or in paperback for $11.97. Really great prices for over a 300 page cookbook!
Deal Breaker? Not much turns me OFF a cookbook, it’s more what topics I’m looking for-which usually skew to a flavor or style.
Well I guess that’s good then! I guess upon second thought, some of my favorite cookbooks are these old picture-less ones that I acquired from my grandma. With those I was more intrigued by the vast difference in ingredients and recipes that were the “norm” back then.
I think I gotta agree with you on the pretty pictures for the deal breaker, haha! You eat with your eyes too.
Exactly!
I really like when everything is photographed. Also, easy to directions. how do I tell you I follow you everywhere for an entry?
thanks
Just leave a separate comment for each entry. You already have the first one down! 🙂
This book sounds great girl! I love cookbooks with color pictures and the way you describe the recipes with less specific measurements sounds beautiful. I know I usually depend on measurements/recipes to a t, so something like this would probably be good for me to help branch out and become more comfortable in the kitchen!
Yes it would! There were still measurements for most of the ingredients, but it was more relaxed than a lot of cookbooks that I’ve read where they all but tell you that if you try to substitute an ingredient you will end up with plastic. Haha.
for a cookbook I want to relate. this book sounds amazing, with great and easy recipes to follow
Easy is one of the best parts! And I think all of the recipes take less than 30 minutes to prepare 🙂
Exactly what I like!
I follow you on instagram
I follow Happy Herbivore now on all her social media sites, ha!
I follow you on pinterest!
I’m the same..good pictures and lots of delicious looking recipes!
I follow you on instagram! 🙂
I follow you on Pinterest!
That looks like it has beautiful, bright, clear, pictures (which is a must for me in a cookbook!) Along with little personal details about each recipe at the top which always makes it more fun 🙂 And I love your philosophy about following a cookbook for a diet you may not necessarily follow, as a way to support your own dietary needs (people can get so caught up in labels!)
I used to not think much of those little stories at the top, but now I am surprised when I come across a cookbook without them. They make the recipes more special I think!
I’m glad you get where I was coming from with that!
I follow you on instagram 🙂
And on pinterest where you have cookie dough everything!
Lol. And Puppy Chow! 😉
And on bloglovin because I luv you 😉
Your comments make my day Sarah 🙂
I follow you on Twitter
I follow you on Facebook
I follow you on Insta instagram
I follow you on pinterest
Great review! Lindsay just looks so happy and full of life that I think I’d open up the cookbook for that reason alone! I’m also going to click over to see about those “meatloaf bites”!
Thanks Amy 🙂 I agree! It’s great to see a blogger/author so enthusiastic about their craft.
The meatloaf bites sound great, don’t they?
My #1 deal breaker would have to be pictures. I literally love pictures, I am a very visual person. I love baking and cooking. I would definitely love to have this for when I am able to get back into the kitchen groove!
By the way, you look gorgeous! 😀
Have a marvelous week. ❤
This book looks awesome. Cookbooks for me HAVE TO have good pictures….otherwise I don’t trust the recipes. haha
Another great reason for pictures! I never thought of that, but you’re right… Have you ever come across a food blog without pictures? I have occasionally and it just makes me suspicious. Lol.
Even though I generally don’t like making “low calorie” recipes for myself, since I certainly don’t need to lose weight or reduce the caloric content of my food, this looks like a great cookbook with some delicious recipes! I do love having pictures with a cookbook as well, since it helps me visualize what the finished product should look like. I also (of course) prefer cookbooks that contain vegan recipes, as long as they don’t call for a ton of fake meat, mock cheese, mock cream cheese, etc…Though I love Daiya cheese and other dairy substitutes, they are too expensive for me to buy on a regular basis. Plus, they aren’t exactly the healthiest food in the world;) I hope you have a great Monday!
I think the title kind of makes it sound like a diet book, but really it’s just all about whole foods.
Happy Herbivore 3/4 and the China Study cookbook are the only vegan ones I have I think, and neither has much, if any fake animal products. There is the occasional tofu recipe, but most just focus on plants.
I hope you have a great Monday too!
I am not entering contest. I just wanted to let you guys know that you MUST try the Thai Crunch Salad. YUMola!!
Thanks for letting us know! 🙂 It looks and sounds amazing.
My #1 deal breaker for cookbooks is the photos… If I can’t see what things look like I don’t want to make them!
Me too!
I also followed you in instagram.
… and pinterest.
My deal breaker is something that’s not aesthetic. I need colorful pictures!
Yes, colorful photos that look good enough to eat 😀
I subscribed via e-mail!
I’m following you on Instagram: juliegoeshealthy <that's me!
I’ll have to follow you back!
Thanks!
I’m following Happy Herbivore on Facebook!
I really appreciate when cookbooks have nutrition info and serving sizes!
Looks great – not entering giveaway (not big on my first visit to a site being an entry, give it to a loyal reader!), just found your site through LyonsShare, definitely interested in reading more on your food allergy perspective … something we deal with in our house! Make it challenging for me cooking !
Nice to meet you Mike! Who in your family has food allergies? Mine are coupled with some other problems so I’m quite limited in what I can eat. But I always try to post allergy-friendly recipes on here, which my family so graciously allows me to make for them 🙂
My wife has tons of food issues and non-allergy ‘sensitivities’ as well as full-on allergies. My younger son who is 15 has loads of allergies in general, but nothing we’ve seen yet with foods. It is interesting that one of our kids likes vegetables more than fruits and vice versa. I would have dismissed that, but with how my wife deals with things I am not sure …
Yes, it all seems to relate back to food, doesn’t it? I can fully relate with your wife’s difficulties and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. She must be a very strong lady! 🙂 It can be tough sometimes.
My brother and I both have a lot of environmental allergies and seasonal allergies as well. Have you ever considered allergy shots? We had them when we were a bit younger and for my brother they worked wonders. I still reacted for awhile but I think overall they helped. Our allergist said that it’s more effective in children/young adults, so just food for thought.
That is interesting about liking vegetables vs. fruit/fruit vs. vegetables. At least they like 1 of 2! I still know some friends today who hate touching either and would prefer a piece of pizza. Haha.
I hope you are having a great weekend Mike!
Missed this before – my younger son had shots and it really helped. My wife tried and they never did help, just kept her immunosupressed all the time. She was at her ENT this week and they are looking at trying it again … and exploring food issues this time around. Thanks!
Hmm I agree with the pictures thing! I love Tosca Reno’s books because they are so colorful and vibrant! This cookbook sounds awesome and great because its a many allergy free!
Annnnd I already follow you in the Istagramin’ 🙂
I followed Happy Herb on the istagrams as well!
Andddddd last I followed you on Pintrest 🙂 Thanks again!
I want to win this so badly 🙂 Love her Happy Herbivore Abroad book!! My deal breaker would be the same as yours – I really prefer cookbooks full of vibrant photos.
I am following you on Pinterest! 🙂
I already follow you on Instagram!!
Just added you on Twitter!!
You sure as hell don’t have to be vegan to appreciate vegan food!
AGREED!!
Whoever said so is silly. I think I’m allowed to eat greens without being a bunny too, last time I checked. I think I’m also allowed to eat fish without living near any water and not be a hypocrite. Lol people are duuuumb!
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Mine is that the recipes should be easy to follow and not have 100 ingredients!!
100 ingredients or less would definitely be a constraint of mine too 😉
Followed you on Instagram (applesandarteries)
Followed you on Pinterest
I follow Happy Herbivore on Twitter (applesarteries)
And now I’m following HH on Instagram.
I need good pictures of the final product. That’s a deal breaker.
I already like/follow you on everything.
Pick me, pick me, pick me. 🙂
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