annieb123
Written on Apr 9, 2020
Eczema Relief Diet & Cookbook is a new specialty cookbook and recipe collection by Christa Biegler. Due out 14th April 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 216 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
The book follows a logical and easy format. The first three chapters cover the background of ingredient selection, what eczema is, what the diet entails and some general quick-start weekly meal plans. The author also includes some logical pointers, ingredients, and supplies. The recipe chapters are arranged thematically: breakfasts and beverages, soups salads and sides, vegan and vegetarian, meat and fish, desserts, and staples and ingredient recipes. Nutritional information is included in the footer at the end of the recipes and includes calories, fat, sugars, carbohydrates. Some special dietary information is included (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy, vegetarian,etc).
The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The book also includes a short author bio, and a metric conversion chart, but lacks any index or general ingredients index. Each of the recipes includes observations as well as tips and substitutions in highlighted sidebars.
My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book for a niche (and previously largely ignored) group in the autoimmune community.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.