Get in the Kitchen, Woman!

Created byCelina- Updated on July 12^th2017

This list is dedicated to my sister who has a cute sign in her kitchen that reads, "I only have this kitchen because it came with the house."

In 2002 when I was first married, my husband joked that one day I would be the mom making macaroni and cheese and fish sticks for dinner. I'll never forget standing in our tiny kitchen and thinking there was no way I'd be that way. He was already a better cook than me and quickly advancing to recipes that didn't call for a can of cream of chicken. Fast forward 15 years and two kids later... here I am contemplating whether or not oatmeal with fresh raspberries on top and a glass of milk will be a complete balanced meal. The trouble is that I care about eating whole foods and minimizing the processed stuff all while making sure the kids will eat it. So, for the nights that you don't make breakfast for dinner, check out these titles. And, for the record, my husband is the better cook as much as I hate to admit it.

The Wellness Mama cookbook : 200 easy-to-prepare recipes and time-saving advice for the busy cook

Wells, Katie (Blogger), author.

From the Publisher

It can be difficult to cook a healthy dinner every night, especially if someone in your family has health challenges. Wells shows you how to eliminate processed foods and move toward healthy, home-cooked meals -- and many of the recipes are prepared in thirty minutes or less.

My Thoughts

From the creator of WellnessMama.com comes a cookbook with easy to follow recipes and ingredients you can pronounce and buy without going online to find.

Nourishing noodles : spiralize nearly 100 plant-based recipes for zoodles, ribbons, and vegetable spirals

Anca, Chris, author.

From the Publisher

Nourishing Noodles contains nearly 100 meatless recipes that feature globally-infused explosive new flavors for a delicious low-carb meal.

My Thoughts

Have you tried spiralizing? Pick up one off Amazon and trick your kids into eating fun shaped food.

Sheet pan suppers : 120 recipes for simple, surprising, hands-off meals straight from the oven : plus breakfasts, desserts, and snacks, too!

Gilbert, Molly, author.

From the Publisher

The virtue of cooking on a sheet pan is two-fold. First there's the convenience of cooking everything together and having just one pan to clean up. Then there's the cooking method--roasting, baking, or broiling--three techniques that intensify flavors; in other words, food tastes better when cooked on a sheet pan.

My Thoughts

Hello easy clean up!

Good clean food : super simple plant-based recipes for every day

Kunin, Lily, author.

From the Publisher

In her debut cookbook, Good Clean Food, health coach Lily Kunin shares plant-based recipes for irresistibly clean, wholesome food. With Lily's less-is-more approach, you'll learn how to create nourishing dishes, bowls, salads, smoothies, and more using gluten- and dairy-free ingredients.

My Thoughts

I'm not a vegan, so when these recipes call for a strange sounding fake cheese or meat substitute containing walnuts, I use the real thing. Tons of great "throw it together in a bowl" recipes, which are my current fav for dinner these days.

The ultimate instant pot pressure cooker cookbook : 250 easy foolproof recipes

Rose, Madison, author.

My Thoughts

Instant Pot ... the best kitchen invention of the decade! This book has THE SIMPLEST recipes that literally take minutes to throw together and eat.

The pioneer woman cooks : food from my frontier

Drummond, Ree.

From the Publisher

A mouthwatering collection of the simple-but-scrumptious recipes that rotate through Ree's kitchen on a regular basis, from perfect pancakes to honey-plum-soy chicken, from cowgirl quiche to blackberry chip ice cream.

My Thoughts

Totally not the healthiest options, but talk about stick to your belly goooood home cooking!

The pioneer woman : black heels to tractor wheels--a love story

Drummond, Ree.

From the Publisher

American blogger and food writer Ree Drummond relates the real life story of how she met and married her "Marlboro Man." Her stories about her husband, family, and country living paint a warm and touching picture of life on an Oklahoma ranch.

My Thoughts

And, did you know she wrote a book about her love story? So good.

Quick & easy paleo comfort foods : 100+ delicious gluten-free recipes

Mayfield, Julie, author.

From the Publisher

"Gorgeously illustrated and written by home cooks for home cooks, Quick & Easy Paleo Comfort Foods helpfully instructs on cooking techniques, pantry staples and must-have kitchen equipment...healthy eating becomes less complicated and infinitely more pleasurable and satisfying with over 100 Paleo-approved recipes that are quick, easy, healthy and irresistibly delicious" -- Provided by publisher.

Primal cravings : your favorite foods made paleo

Keatley, Megan McCullough, author, photographer.

From the Publisher

"More than 125 recipes, each accompanied with a vibrant photo and detailed macronutrient calculations. Categorized by breakfasts, meat and main dishes, sides and salads, snacks and sweets, and the basics, such as bread, sauces, and dressings, all recipes are no- or low-sugar, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-optional, and embrace healthy primal/paleo good fats"--Page 4 of cover.

My Thoughts

I'll admit it. I first picked up this book simply because of the ginormous burger on the cover.

Power Hungry : The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook.

Saulsbury, Camilla V.

From the Publisher

Power Hungry has a simple premise: do-it-yourself power bar recipes that maximize taste and nutrition, minimize cost, and eliminate junky additives. Jam-packed with the best good-for-you ingredients (think whole grains, fruits, nuts) and all-natural, high-quality proteins, these recipes cover protein bars, endurance training bars and gels, granola bars, raw bars, and more.

My Thoughts

You can DIY that CLIFF bar! Hit the bulk food aisle at your favorite grocery store for the ingredients and I promise you won't be sorry.