I’ve noticed that bowls have become very popular. When I page through almost any magazine, I can’t help but notice pictures of them. Unfortunately, a lot of the recipes don’t sound as appealing as the photos look, so itwas time for me to figure out how to make them my way. That’s what I like most about this cookbook.

This book starts off with the quantity of each kind of ingredient you want to pull together to make a bowl with suggestions of what to use. Next, there are very helpful ideas about how to choose and cook your choice of grain. After that, the author has added some recipes to get started.

Here is a partial list of recipes included in the book: Banana bread bowl; apple crisp bowl, millet muesli; peaches and cream; superfood morning; triple-chocolate buckwheat; asparagus and eggs; huevos rancheros; lentils, mushrooms and arugula; roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts; vegetable & quinoa fry-up with eggs; Greek goodness salad; quick and easy Thai-style curry; roasted beets, carrots and cauliflower; pan-fried falafel; black rice and white bean salad and Buddha bowls.

With such an astonishing yummy set of recipes, I’m not so sure I want to invent my own. I’ll be happy eating these for some time to come.

The good: this book has a lot of awesome details, particularly a breakdown of the best way to prepare all kinds of different grains. The portions in it are also very much like what one preparing for a weight loss surgery is meant to have pre-surgery (1/2 veggie, 1/4 protein, 1/4 grain), so a lot of the recipes can be fit into that diet nicely. Awesome! Also, every single recipe looked super tasty. All of the meals were available with a gluten free adjustment (if it wasn't gluten free to begin with), and there were many that were vegetarian or vegan options that still had plenty of protein.

The bad: there's no caloric breakdowns or any of the other nutrition details. Sort of a big deal, particularly if you're promoting healthy eating in a cookbook. Sadly, that's such a big deal to me that it means 2 stars need to go away.

I love a bowl, thank you Chipotle, and this book is full of yummy sounding combinations. It's always fun to come across new varieties that I haven't tried yet. I'll definitely be adding this one to my cookbook collection!

Cute, hands on, easy to follow guide to learning how to easily construct healthy, balanced bowls of food. Make ahead options are included, as well as a few variations. I liked many of the recipes, as well as the basic information provided that would enable the reader to start inventing custom, healthy dishes to their liking.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance electronic copy of Build-a -bowl by Nicki Sizemore. Firstly let me say this is a beautifully illustrated book, the photographs are vibrant and very well done. I am vegan therefore not all the recipes are suitable however I found most of the sauces and the section on the vegetable and legumes really great. I love this book as well as the recipes I also love the visuals - it is a beautiful book and I will definitely be purchasing the hard copy. thanks you.

Okay, this cookbook is right up my alley! I jumped on the chance to request this on NetGalley because I am a huge fan of Buddah Bowls, and things of the like. The first thing that i noticed about this book that was different about other Bowl Recipes that I've come across is that it takes the time to make sure you truly know what your doing with your grains. They've given some unique suggestions for grains, which is amazing because we're all going to get sick of brown rice at some point. Filled with everything from breakfast meals, to lunch and dinner this book truly has it all. My favorite thing about these bowls is that they are perfect for meal prepping, as they can be made in bulk and placed in the fridge for a few days at a time. Now excuse me while I ransack my kitchen to see what recipe I can make for tomorrow's lunch.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.