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100 Days of Real Food

How We Did It, What We Learned, and 100 Easy, Wholesome Recipes Your Family Will Love
ksoles
Oct 04, 2014ksoles rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The advice in "100 Days of Real Food" doesn't deviate from that of most healthy cookbooks these days but it does bear repeating: cook more, eat more whole foods and curb your reliance on packaged, processed products. Lisa Leake begins by defining "real" food as either a whole food of only one ingredient or a packaged food of no more than five unrefined ingredients. These include plain dairy products, 100% whole grain breads and crackers, wild-caught seafood, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, natural sweeteners and humanely raised meat. Then, in its strongest, most helpful section, the book provides "how to" management tips like "getting your family on board" and "food budget tips and meal plans." The second half of the book contains 100 mostly exciting recipes including lunch box ideas for kids. The most indulgent meals weigh in at about 800 calories whereas most dishes contain 200-300 calories per serving, proving that, when you cook at home, you don't need to track calories as diligently as you do when eating from packages and restaurants. However, readers must keep in mind that some meals will fall into the "eat less often" category, even when made from scratch. The book certainly gives some solid advice on choosing whole grains and healthy fats, reading labels and eschewing the goal of perfection. Unfortunately, Leake’s accuracy is at times followed up by non-evidence based statements guided by the natural fallacy that only "real" foods are healthy. This false construct may distress those who lack the budget, access or interest to cook the majority of their food, let alone do so with organic, grass fed, speciality ingredients. Ultimately, this book provides a great resource for those looking to eat and cook with more whole foods, keeping in mind that choosing to bake with white flour once in a while may do more good than harm.