Good Mood Food Book

Good Mood Food by Michael van Straten is an inspirational recipe book for those times when however much food you have in the fridge, you can't think of what to cook. Ranging from "Vitality Foods" to "Macho", "Peace" or "Sensitive" foods, van Straten has come up with clever recipes to wake up the senses and restore the body's physical and emotional wellbeing. An accessible, colourful volume, with amusing and quirky recipe titles, such as "Dressed Breast" for a "Sexy" chicken dish, or "Dear John Fish" for a meal to boost your sensitivity, the collection makes eating healthily and appropriately for your mood fun. As van Straten says, "food is therapy"--think of what you and your body need and then turn to the corresponding chapter in the book to get inspired and healed. A healthy attitude to alcohol and puddings--a little of what you fancy--ensures that it's all the easier to want to cook in this way. Each chapter also includes information on two different herbs, from peaceful basil to brainy sage, giving titbits on their beneficial properties which will stand any cook in good stead for general culinary use. Moreover, facts such as that sap from lettuces contains a "plant chemical that has an action similar to mild opiates" can be applied to eating everyday; the foods do not have to be prepared exactly as in each recipe in order to reap their benefits. This holistic approach in Good Mood Foods is refreshing, and makes it a cookbook that is also a minor medical dictionary.--Olivia DickinsonRead More