The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition Review

The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition Cookbook Review

Gifted by: Robert Rose Inc.

Reviewed by Carlie Dobkin, Editor of FaveHealthyRecipes.com

As someone who successfully transformed her own lifestyle habits, I can personally say that the key to losing weight and feeling great is eating healthfully. Eating healthfully means being mindful of your body's needs. Making informed choices about what you should eat can be difficult. Luckily, The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition has 135 incredible recipes for health and wellness. In 2006, Judith Finlayson published the first edition of this cookbook. However, definitions of healthy eating have changed dramatically since then. Today, leading experts believe that many of our modern diseases are directly associated with the consumption of wheat and advocate reducing carbohydrates. As a result, this cookbook is entirely gluten-free. In addition, all of the recipes are nutrient-dense, so you can properly fuel your body with the meals you make.

I like how every recipe has a short explanation of its health benefits. She takes ingredients like garlic and explains the natural wonders of eating the herb. Or she'll explain why certain vegetables are so good for you by outlining what vitamins are in them and why those vitamins are so crucial for healthy living. You'll learn things about milk, brown rice, canned tomatoes, and sugar that you probably never knew before. This book is not just a cookbook, but it's a learning experience. I loved how each recipe was based on a healthy ingredient. For instance, she gives us a recipe for Beef and Split Pea Stew because meat is one of the best sources of high-quality protein. There is a recipe for Caramelized Onion Sauce with Arugula because arugula has more antioxidants than any salad green. Plus, arugula is loaded with vitamins and other essential nutrients. Also included in her recipes is a detailed nutritional breakdown. She tells you the amount of calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, sodium, and cholesterol per serving. She then tells you if it is an excellent source, good source, or source of each vitamin or nutrient. For example, that Beef and Split Pea Stew is an excellent source of vitamin B12, phosphorus, and zinc. It is a good source of vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, and iron. It is a source of vitamins C and K.

Besides supplying those little nutritious tidbits next to each recipe, this cookbook has big, pretty pictures and clear instructions. It is nice to read and nice to look at. Even better, all of the recipes are super easy to make. Why? Because they are made in a slow cooker. A slow cooker is a HUGE time saver when it comes to cooking. It is just so convenient to have in the house. You can simply dump all of your ingredients into the pot, turn the slow cooker on low, and go about your day. When you come home from work or a busy errand day, you'll have a meal ready for eating. If you're new to the slow cooker, The Healthy Slow Cooker is full of useful tips on how to use it and helpful instructions about cooking time. Slow cooker recipes are great for weeknight dinners or big family parties when there's no room for everything in the oven. This cookbook is not just for dinner, however. It has recipes for breakfast, desserts, sides, you name it. It also has recipes for all sorts of diets. Whether you're vegetarian, gluten free, or paleo, you'll be able to find lots of options.

The Healthy Slow Cooker should be a staple in everyone's kitchen. Even if you don't have a slow cooker, you should get his cookbook for the unparalleled knowledge about food you'll gain by reading it. Using these recipes in your daily regimen will help you eat healthfully so you can be on the right path towards wellness and success.

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