Fall to me has always felt a bit like starting a new year; the return to a daily routine after summer vacation and usually the beginning of a new regimen. For me the turning of a new leaf includes adopting a healthier lifestyle and making better food choices for me and my family. My autumnal transition just so happened to coincide this year with the release of Gordon Ramsay’s newest cookbook entitled “Healthy, Lean & Fit Mouthwatering Recipes to Fuel You for Life”.
I am admittedly a big fan of Chef Ramsay; so, when the former footballer and Iron Man Triathlon competitor writes a cookbook about improving your health, you’d better believe I’m more than happy to put it to the test.
The premise of this cookbook is that whether you are trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight or you are taking part in rigorous training, you can fuel your body with healthy food that isn’t dull. The chef begins the book by offering an understanding of what healthy eating means, placing an emphasis on the importance of introducing healthy eating habits to children and then proceeds with an explanation on the division of the three categories. The section termed “Healthy” features recipes that are ideal for maintaining a healthy weight; “Lean” provides options to help consume fewer calories for help with weight loss and “Fit” contains dishes that help to meet the needs of the body when exercising.
Each section of the cookbook truly does feature a mouthwatering array of foods from satisfying breakfast shakes, to aromatic and exotic lunch and dinner salads and entrees, along with healthy snacking options and even some well-deserved sweet treats. He’s even provided incredible lightened versions of traditionally rich foods such as samosas (this recipe is next on my list to try).
I have already tested several of the myriad of offerings this beautifully laid out book provides. I’ve made and enjoyed the Tropical Chia Seed Pudding (Pg. 31), Toasted Oat Soda Bread (Pg. 34), Butternut Squash Spaghetti with Sage and Walnut Pesto (Pg. 71), Banana Chips (Pg. 93), Crunchy Chickpeas (Pg. 99), Raspberry and Honey Overnight Oats (Pg. 117), and the Banana “Ice Cream” (Pg. 180). With 280 pages of delectable dishes, I still have quite a few to choose from.
Each of the recipes I’ve tested have fared incredibly well and what I particularly love about this book are the variations on the recipes that Chef Ramsay provides along with added health tips, preparation tips and serving suggestions.
If you are an avid follower of Chef Ramsay or just looking to add some healthy and flavorful options to your daily repertoire then you may wish to consider adding “Healthy, Lean & Fit” to your cookbook compliment. Buon Appetito!
**Please note that this was a review copy that I received from the Hachette Book Group
