Cover Image: 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook

30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This cookbook had some really great recipes. The recipes were easy to understand and not too complicated for the average cook. I enjoyed the illustrations and look forward to making these recipes for years to come.

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook is super informative and can serve as a foundation for anyone looking to cook with a healthy heart in mind. Although I did not agree with all of the medical information shared it nonetheless serves as an introduction to this type of cooking. The recipes are great and are easy to follow. Overall I think the cookbook is a great addition to any cook's repertoire.

Was this review helpful?

Having overall healthy recipes in one was great! I liked most recipes in here. Having nutritional info as well was a great perk!

Was this review helpful?

This has had a number of really good recipes. My mom recently had a heart attack and I have tried to change my way of cooking to make all of us heart healthy. This was a great help.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. This book is specifically for heart healthy recipes but would be a great new cookbook for anyone looking for healthy and quick meals.

Was this review helpful?

Most of us are mindful that healthy meals are important for ourselves and our families. However, it isn’t always easy to prepare them, since we are busy, and those convenience foods at the grocery store are quick and easy. That’s why Cheryl Strachan’s timely cookbook, The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for Easy, Low-Sodium Meals is one that belongs on every cookbook shelf. Strachan has found a way to make heart-healthy meals appetizing, as well as fairly quick and easy.

There is an introductory chapter where Strachan explains how to eat healthy, and most importantly, The Five Principles of Heart Healthy Eating, which are excellent, and stress the importance of being satisfied rather than feeling like you’ve given up taste for being healthy. The recipes, and there are lots of them, are not only heart-healthy and low sodium, but also appealing. The book includes salads, appetizers, main dishes – including fish, chicken, meats, and vegetarian – soups, and desserts; there is something here for everyone. Favorites include Salmon and Avocado Toast, an Open-face Lemon Pepper Tuna Melt, Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Roasted Romaine, and Southwest Steak Skillet. There are dozens of mouthwatering dishes in the queue, and the best part is that the dishes are mainstream enough that family members won’t feel like they are giving up anything or suffering just to eat healthy.

The recipes are well-written and easy-to-follow. They call for ingredients that are easy to obtain – many are most-likely on pantry shelves, or in the refrigerator or freezer right now. The recipes prepared so far have turned out perfectly. The only drawback to this book is that there are only a few photographs, and for inexperienced cooks and those of us who are “visual” may have a difficult time not knowing what the finished dish should look like.

Using the recipes contained in this excellent will be fun, and the cookbook, albeit lack of pictures, has enough good recipes that it is definitely worth purchasing.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

*** I received this arc in exchange for an honest review ***

As someone trying to eat healthier, I wanted to get this cookbook to see what kind of options there are that aren’t too time consuming. Usually I’m disappointed, but a lot of the recipes in here that I’ve bookmarked are actually easy enough to do on a regular basis. I was also pleased with the variety of recipes in the book for every meal, and the possible substitutions that the author includes.

As a celiac, there are a number of recipes with oats, flour, bulgur, etc. For these recipes, I mentally exchange those ingredients for GF versions (or for oats just make sure we have a GF option available) and still see if it’s something I want to make.

What was interesting to me was the amount of information at the beginning about heart health overall. Some people may want to skip this, but for those who are looking to start a healthier diet, this will be helpful.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very well written cookbook. I found the layout to flow well and the recipes were easy to understand and follow along to. I look forward to trying some of them out for my family.

Was this review helpful?

Rockridge Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for Easy, Low-Sodium Meals. I was under no obligation to review this cookbook and my opinion is freely given.

This cookbook is broken down into logical chapters, such as: Heart-Healthy Eating; Breakfasts and Smoothies; Salads, Starters, and Side Dishes; Vegetarian and Vegan Entrees; Seafood Entrees; Poultry Entrees; Meat Entrees; Snacks and Sweet Treats; and Staples, as well as a good introduction and conversion charts. I particularly like how the author has classified each recipe, giving a heading under the name of the dish detailing whether it is DASH, Mediterranean, Vegetarian friendly, and the like. Readers with certain diet restrictions will find it easy to flip through the recipes to find the ones that meet their needs. The biggest downfall to the cookbook is its lack of photographs, which are essential when trying to entice consumers to eat better. The old saying "you eat with your eyes" should have been considered, as promoting healthy eating is always easier with photographs that invite the eater to try the finished dishes.

Many of the dishes in this cookbook are simple and easy, making it ideal for those not wanting to invest a lot of money into trying something new. There are a fair number of recipes using store bought ingredients, such as salsa or granola, but the Staples section does include the homemade version of many of these.

I liked the descriptions of the dishes that the author presents before the recipes, as they sometimes include an explanation of the cuisine or suitable substitutions for some of the ingredients. There are many recipes in The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook that will entice me to try ingredients that I have either not tried or typically do not like, like Spicy Weeknight Coconut Tofu Curry. Although I am not a fan of tofu, this recipe is simple and easy enough to try once.

One of my favorite recipes in the cookbook is the Beef and Corn Fiesta Salad, as it is a complete meal in a bowl. Between the plethora of vegetables, heart healthy beans, and the perfectly seasoned beef, this is the perfect summertime meal. Other favorites are Leek, Butter Bean and Parmesan Orzo, which is creamy and delicious, even after reheating; and Arugula Pasta Salad with Chicken, as it is delicious as is, but welcomes substitutions to change up the flavor profile.

Overall, The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook is a good starting point for those looking to try a heart healthy diet. Eaters looking for recipes with some of the latest food stars, like coconut oil, may be disappointed that the author does not prescribe to that way of thinking. Personally, I feel that olive oil is a much cleaner flavor and is also a healthy fat. The biggest drawback to this cookbook is its lack of pictures, which takes away from its appeal. In a field full of cookbooks with a similar objective, The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook does not stand out.

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook includes great recipes as well as health and nutrition information. Of course, it is important to consult your primary healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. With that being said, there is information on popular heart-healthy eating plans such as Mediterranean, DASH and vegetarian. Also contained is guides to pantry staples, kitchen tools, and suggestions for meal planning and shopping. These are just a few of the featured recipes: "Roasted Sweet Potatoes"; "Hearty Mashed Potatoes"; "Pantry Beans and Rice"; "Pasta with Greens and Beans"; "Grilled Garlic-Lime Chicken"; "Southwest Steak Skillet"; "Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy"; "Red Beans with Sausage and Rice"; "Garlicky Kale Chips"; "Dark Chocolate and Cherry Trail Mix"; "Banana-Oatmeal Cookies"; and "Fresh Tomato Salsa".

I found the recipes to be easy to understand and follow. Many of them had 10 ingredients or less which I believe is important in these busy times. This is a great cookbook for someone just starting out and looking to improve their eating habits. It is also good for those busy day-to-day persons who need quick but nutritious meals for the family. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I somehow never saw the approval and didn't get this one downloaded (?) but I managed to check out a copy from the library. There are a lot of great recipes in here that, as someone fighting high blood pressure, I am ready to try.

Was this review helpful?

This was archived before I had the opportunity to try making anything . The cookbook does look like it contains some excellent recipes and would be a nice addition to any kitchen.

Was this review helpful?

This book of healthy recipes is written by a registered dietician and the nutritional information is science-based. That's a plus, as are the simple-to-follow recipes. There's a good variety of cuisine from different cultures, especially Mediterranean cuisines. But, the main disappointment is that I cannot visualize what most of these recipes will look like just by reading the recipe. Pictures are SO important to make the recipe seem appealing. Each page with a recipe has a good-sized white space where a photo could easily be inserted. This would make it so much more appealing to the reader.

Was this review helpful?

I have been trying to eat healthier, but have had a hard time finding easy to make meals that are tasty. I have been experimenting with different cookbooks and have loved everything that I have made from this one! I highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

I loved The 30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook by Cheryl Strachan, RD as she wrote "...we heave no evidence that losing weight helps people live longer or avoid further cardiac problems in the long run." Later she writes "If BETTER HEALTH is your goal, instead of defining success by pounds lost, focus on what you can control: exercising, getting enough sleep, relaxing, taking your medications, and of course, eating healthy." Wise words indeed.

You will find many delicious recipes that include the designation of DASH, Mediterranean or Vegetarian making it easy to choose the diet you are following. You will also find a detailed nutritional break down for each recipe.

Some of the recipes you'll find include:

Strawberry Breakfast Sundae
Almost-Instant Oatmeal
Quick Kale Caesar salad
Black Bean and Salsa Soup
Farro and Vegetable Rainbow Bowl
Nature's Veggie Burger
Chili Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
Grilled Garlic-Lime Chicken
Seared Steak and Bok Choy Salad
Rosemary and White Bean Dip
Chocolate-Cashew Spread
Fruit-Infused Sparkling Water

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

3 out of 5

**OMG! I cannot believe that these reviews haven't been done! I am so sorry they are so late!!!**

Was this review helpful?

Healthy eating does not have to be boring or bland. This is not only a cookbook featuring heart healthy recipes. It contains many tips on how to switch up your diet to be healthy without losing the great tastes that we love. Pantry friendly ingredients with simple cooking means you are already a couple of steps closer to living longer and better.

Was this review helpful?

30-Minute Heart Healthy Cookbook: Delicious Recipes for Easy, Low-Sodium Meals
by Cheryl Strachan RD is a great resource to have on hand. Everyone can benefit from heart healthy eating. I enjoy the simple and quick recipes, but I also like the shopping lists too. And of course the nutritional information and special guidance is extremely helpful too. I highly recommend this cookbook.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

The book opens with some discussions of heart health issues and how diet can affect it or support it after certain diagnoses. It was interesting and straightforward and had some helpful suggestions for making adjustments.

And so many great ideas in the recipes and they're refreshingly simple. The ingredients are accessible and familiar -- the author explains a few that are more exotic but they're really not so far out there, which is great. Nothing to have to go out of your way to get or buy to try a recipe and struggle to find another use for. Her salad dressings and sauces especially sound amazing -- there are lots of options for veggie/protein/grain bowls with a sauce that seem perfect for quick dinners. I also appreciated how often she incorporated frozen vegetables (the fresh frozen kind with nothing added) because I love these especially on busy days but sometimes wonder if the final result is as good as using fresh. She makes a good argument for frozen though!

My only complaint is that there really aren't a lot of pictures, only one or two per chapter. As these aren't particularly complicated you don't really need to see a photo to figure out the final outcome, but still. Otherwise great!

Was this review helpful?