You can't DO better until you KNOW better! It wasn't that many years ago that I didn't have a clue how to feed my family well. To be honest, it wasn't even on my radar to pay much attention to what I was feeding them, I just didn't think food made that big of a difference. It was all about what was cheap, what tasted good, and what was convenient to throw together. Even though we struggled helping our kids in school, and there were behavioral issues that had us under constant stress, I still didn't make the connection. Pretty sad, right?! Ironically, it wasn't until 2004 when I started to gain a little weight that I was led to what I now call my "food conversion", and all because a friend introduced me to the Weston Price Foundation. I clicked onto the WAPF website and as I started reading, a bunch of light bulbs in my brain clicked on, too. I learned that food is powerful . It can make us sick and miserable, or it can nourish us and give us energy and vitality! It wasn't easy getting the family switched over. There were many food flops and some complaining, but I eventually figured it out. I learned how to take our family favorite recipes and adapt them into much better-for-you versions, and they're better tasting now, with so many fresh, healthy ingredients that are good for us, too! I also learned where to find the best foods. It was difficult for many years, but thankfully, sourcing real food from the farm or finding organic foods from the grocery store is getting a little easier, as long as you know what to look for. I want to help you learn more quickly than I did! Here's how Real Food for Rookies will help you: ---> Then you can take any family favorite and make it not only healthy , but more delicious! (Included are examples to show how easily this can be done with your own recipes.) ---> No more wondering if the groceries you buy are worth the cost or even safe. ---> You'll be able to avoid the bad-for-you fats, instead of unintentionally making yourself or our loved ones sick, and definitely more prone to obesity and chronic disease! ---> So you'll know how to keep such nutrient-poor "food" out of your grocery cart! ---> You'll stop spending extra money when it's not necessary. ---> So you won't get duped -- you'll know the truth and can choose wisely. ---> This will be simple, clear, and easy to incorporate into your life. ---> So you can get the most wonderful superfood possible, and avoid milk that could be contaminated. (Also, if you buy milk from the store, learn which kinds you should never ever buy.) ---> You'll stop wasting your money on junk that won't have much benefit and could even be harmful. ---> You'll have the help you need to stay motivated, to deal with family complaints, to find the time to implement these new ideas, and to afford this lifestyle as well. ---> The simple explanations in this book will keep you moving forward on the journey so you're not stuck in uncertainty and confusion, and so you can make a real, lasting difference in your family's health. This book has everything you need in one place!
This is a great primer or entry point into the world of traditional foods, how humans ate healthy diets before industrialized food production with their GMOs, additives, pesticide and herbicide residues, junk foods, et. al. took over. I had been looking for an easy primer like this to introduce folks to traditional foods should they be interested. Then I saw a positive book review by Sally Fallon Morell and checked it out.
The book will walk you through how to (gradually) make changes in food purchases for better health and wellbeing in an easy to follow format, leaving more comprehensive aspects to links in the text or appendix.
The book doesn't claim to be comprehensive, and it isn't. If I find one drawback, Moeggenborg's references are overwhelmingly to her comprehensive website. There are more resources if one is willing to take the time, but this will do.
This author made a food transition in her family from junk food to real food 10 years ago. She seeks to encourage and show others it can be done because her family of six is still doing it. She says, “You can’t do better until you know better… I want to help you learn more quickly than I did”…“My best advice is start where you can. Keep adding more positive changes as you are ready to tackle them.”
This author is passionate about eating real foods and wants to help others do the same. This book was originally titled The Real Food Ingredients Guide. It’s been up-dated; revised, expanded and has a new name. My family has just embarked on this adventure; there is so much to take in.
I’m very thankful to have found this book. It’s helpful in understanding terminology found on packaging labels. It’s easy to follow and comprehend as the author shares about how her family started, she says, “I was a product of the late 70’s and 80’s convenience food trend”…”When I married we ran through the drive thru 2 – 3 times a week. Why? Because it was fast and easy and it tasted good!” ..”During that time I got my thinking and taste buds all messed up”
I appreciated her honesty and encouragement about how their family evolved to where they are today. We all live busy lives and often don’t have days and days to educate ourselves about many items found on the grocery store shelf. It’s overwhelming! This author has done her homework. She’s A.K.A. as The Kitchen Kop and her website keeps readers up to date on changes and/or recipes she discovers along with helpful information to be aware of.
The book is small, has useful information and packs a powerful punch in assisting the reader to easily navigate making “Real Food” choices at the grocery store and on-line. This author helped me to understand what to look for on food labels and made me aware of the names associated with different methods of farming food.
I liked her rules about what to focus on when getting started. 1. “If you can’t pronounce something on the label, don’t buy it. 2. If there’s a ‘whole’ version, buy that instead. 3. This tip is one you’re probably heard a lot, but holds true regardless: Did your great grandmother eat it? If not, then you shouldn’t either. 4. Buying more and more foods without a label is a great goal, but don’ worry, we’re not there yet either! “
The first part of the book offers a reference guide on good and bad food ingredients, looks at local versus organic, fats and oils, milk variations, and lists other quick food facts. The second part of the book includes Kelly’s top ten list of junk food in pictures, six obstacles in making the change to real food, six recipes, the authors’ final words, and helpful resources and links.
Kelly states, “What you eat does matter.” I liked her list of objections she’s heard about going this route. (She talks more about the matters I’ve listed.) 1. It’s not about perfection, it’s about learning more and more, doing a little better all the time. The truth can and will set you free. 2. Feel confused – overwhelmed about where to start? Ask yourself some questions. What is most natural? How did God design it? And several other helpful questions to help keep the main thing the main thing. 3. Who has the time? 4. Family complaints – she lists them. 5. Money? Eating real costs more. She talks about finding some. 6. Commitment to the long haul. What are the best tips to stay on track? Etc.
This author includes family favorites converted to real food recipes near the back of the book. There are several that look good Pizza, Chicken nuggets, Ice Cream etc (with black and white pictures) and many others on her website. The author states, “Be patient with yourself and your family. Realize that permanent change takes time.” Amen!
This book is a great way to start your “Real Food’ adventure. This book will lead you to her website which will take you to the next level. This journey is about taking one step at a time and staying the course to wellness!! It’s a win, win for everyone!
Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Sponsor I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
I had never heard of Kelly the Kitchen Kop so was quite interested to read her book. It is an excellent teaching guide with much info included on local versus organic, and how to make better choices, best choices and what foods we should be avoiding all together.
We also learn 7 facts about healthy fats and oils-and I must say I was concerned at how bad some of the `good`options or those once proclaimed to be better than butter are not! I have been fooled too long!!
I was quite surprised to read in the 5 quick facts about soy not being a healthy food. GMO, MSG and sweeteners have all had much written about how bad they are, but soy not so much.
Chapter 6 took us beyond the table and dealt with the whole being: body, mind and soul. We are wonderfully made by God and to him we are so much more than just what we eat and I love that this book deals with this as well.
Thus ends the first part of the book.
The second part was just as informative with easy picture lists of junk food as well as real food, the six main obstacles to eating real food and finally 6 great new healthy recipes to try. We do not have to give up some of our fave foods…just change up the ingredients. This is an important option to many like me, whom are so set in their ways when it comes to food.
None of the info is pushed on you, lots of suggestions and encouragement to eat better, but also realizing to make it last we must move slowly and not try to change everything all at once. Suggestions on how to transition family over, which may very well be one of the toughest things of all. You may never arrive at doing it all, or you may go in spurts, but the main thing is that you will be eating better and making better choices.
This is a well written, easy to read and understand, as well as quick guide for choosing better foods. More info and downloads as well as recipes can be found at Kellythekitchenkop.com.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about eating healthier but does not know where to start.
Thank you to book fun.org and Kelly Moeggenborg for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
My introduction to `Real Food for Rookies` was one of scepticism. I thought this was going to be another cookbook on how to through out all your processed foods, and start afresh. Instead, author Kelly Moeggenborg (affectionately known as `Kelly the Kitchen Kop`) gently guides you through the transitioning part, and admits she still doesn't have it all figured out. This is my first time reviewing a cookbook, so I met it with apprehension. Blogging 101 was quite helpful, (Thanks, Blogging 101). I was attracted to the book because of the bright, catchy cover and the fact it states "Real Food." When it comes to cooking I am not a rookie. However, when it comes to cooking with real food, and not artifical, I am considered a rookie. There are two sections in the book. Section one helps the cook transition from processed to real food. Giving the reader quick facts and references. Session two helps prepare the cook to move the family from junk food to real food. With making food like pizza crust, french fries, and ice cream naturally. Several links are dispersed throughout the book. The cook will also find references listed in Appendix A, in the table of contents. Kelly wants the cook to succeed so she simplfies everything in the book. The recipes have footnotes for serving suggestions. Listing several ways of preparing the food. So the cook is not stuck in a rut. I like Jenny McGruther's quote on page 135. "Learn to cook well. Eating nourishing, healthy foods isn't about denial; rather, it's about enjoyment and appreciation for flavor, seasonality and tradition." The only real thing I didn't like about the book was the page numbers, which are very small and hard to see. I recommend this book to all cooks, even `rookie` cooks.
Disclaimer: I received `Real Food for Rookies` direct from the author for my honest review.
Time and time again, I have heard and I have read that processed foods should be avoided but I didn't always heed the advice. Then I was given the chance to review a book that promised to give me, in the author's words, "a streamlined food guide for staying out of trouble".
Real Food For Rookies has been written to show that we can eat healthier by using organic foods and the foods that are available in our local areas. Author Kelly Moeggenborg offers ideas and suggestions that will allow the reader to change their eating habits. She lists good and bad food ingredients and the difference between the organic and local foods she advocates. She also uses Dave Ramsey's six money principles as a basis to show the six food habits she is encouraging us to follow.
I appreciate that Kelly Moeggenborg, aka Kelly the Kitchen Kop, stresses that God created healthy bodies and that it is up to us to keep them healthy. She uses Bible scripture throughout her book to correlate with the points she is trying to make. I also like that she has supplied measurements and conversions and suggested websites to help us as we work toward our goal. Six real food recipes are also included and they should appeal to most family members : Homemade Pizza Crust, Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Homemade French Fries, Homemade Ice Cream, Homemade Fresh Popped Corn, and Homemade Kefer Soda Pop.
Real Food For Rookies stresses "Healthy Cooking--Traditional Food--Vibrant Health" and as someone who is now battling high cholesterol, I consider it a valuable resource!
Thanks to The Book Club Network for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review based on the my honest opinion.
If one ever wants to change from processed foods to cooking with "Real" foods for their family, Kelly the Kitchen Kop is a very big help. This book guides one in finding and replacing our food choices with good wholesome food for your family. Kelly makes the transition as easy and simple as possible. However, even she admits that she hasn't quite figured it all out yet.
Part one of the book takes the cook from processed foods to more real and organic foods. She gives the reader quick facts and links to help the process along. Meanwhile part two takes the cook from junk food to real food and how he/she can make the transition easier. This book offers many links and ideas which would take even a seasoned computer surfer some time to comprise.
Although I am no "rookie" when it comes to cooking, trying to replace foods with healthier options has always been a problem for me. With her suggestions and links, I find that if I have a question all I need to do is look in the index and find a possible solution. This gives me the motivation to continue my journey. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to eat healthier! I am a "rookie" when it comes to giving my family better food choices. The processed and junk foods always just seem more convenient. Having some recipes in this book also helps.
I received this book through bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
Looking to clean up your eating habits? This book is a wonderful tool for anyone that is just starting out in the realm of clean eating and better nutrition for themselves or their family. It is laid out in a very concise and organized manner so it is simple to take it “one step at a time” and not get overwhelmed reading the whole book at once. Kelly has many practical ideas incorporated into the reading and she tells you about how she applied these ideas to her own family. I really liked the charts that compared everyday junk foods with what you could eat that would be a healthier alternative. I also learned a lot from the chapter that gives the reader quick facts about the foods that commonly get a lot of attention, like soy and MSG. I didn’t find the chapter showing pictures of foods very helpful, but perhaps someone else likes the visual aids. The book includes chapters on common obstacles keeping you from being successful and strategies to overcome them. It also has some tasty sounding recipes to try and lots of resources at the end to help you continue your personal quest in better nutrition. I recommend this book for anyone ready to jump on the “Clean Eating” wagon – simple to follow and full of great facts and ideas. I received this book from BookFun.org and the author in exchange for my honest review.
I was quite excited to receive this book. And although I have not completely read through every bit of it yet, I am happy to say, I have already gleaned a lot of information. My two biggest problems are - my family - they like the junk food (not sayin' I don't), and finding and implementing healthy foods on a low budget. It seems like finding healthy food would be easy, you just buy low fat, and organic, etc.. etc.. But labels can be deceiving and just because it's low fat, diet, etc.. doesn't mean its good for you! I thought her charts were beneficial and helped me see the pros and cons. I learned some valuable information on dairy products, I wasn't aware of also.
As a stay-at-home mom, I cook on a daily basis. And although I am eager to transition to more healthy eating, I most likely will not do it all at once. I am so glad to have a resource that will teach me how to look for and purchase the healthy foods, along with how to change over without completely shocking my family.
If you are new to the whole Real Food idea, this book is probably for you. Kelly also includes some recipes and tips for saving money.
I received this book courtesy of the author and TBCN in exchange for my honest review.
Real Food for Rookies is a great book chock full of information on all kinds of food facts. This book is easy enough for a beginner learning to eat healthy food and just a great reminder to those of us who have been trying to eat healthier. I learned some surprising facts from this little food guide that I had not previously known. In a quick and simple matter, Kelly the Kitchen Kop explains such things as organic, MSG, sugar, fake sugar, fat free, raw milk, soy, etc. those food stuffs that will benefit you and the ones you should absolutely avoid. She was very thorough with her research. Also the first chapter is a great quick reference food ingredient guide with the ratings of good, better, and best to help you when you shop for foodstuffs. She does include a few recipes and I think this is an invaluable resource to set families on the path to eating healthier and hopefully avoiding obesity and severe health problems due to our food intake. This will be a staple next to my cookbooks for a long time to come. I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. (TBCN) and the opinions are my own.
Real Food for Rookies by Kelly Moeggenborg, a.k.a. Kelly the Kitchen Kop is a must-read/must have reference to healthy food choices. No important info is omitted or neglected. She shares information about the food groups and what is healthy or safe and what is not, local/organic, raw milk vs. conventional milk, GMO’s, MSG, junk food, and obstacles to eating healthy. All information is interesting and easily understood. Kelly also shares ideas about faith, relationships, stress, sleep, relaxation, exercise, sunlight, products used, and water quality. She leaves “no stone unturned” on the journey to better health. Kelly lists Dave Ramsey’s Money Principles juxtaposed with Kitchen Kop’s Real Food Principles.
Someone introduced Kelly to the Weston A. Price Foundation, and that changed everything for her. There is a wealth of helpful resources: Kelly’s recipes, links to websites with information and help besides Kelly’s blogs and recipes. I highly recommend this book—so much important information and a wonderful reference to have on hand. I received this book through TBCN in exchange for an honest opinion.
Real Food for Rookies is a bit different than other books I have read regarding eating healthy. It comes from the view point that what we are eating now is not healthy or nutritious. There are 18 chapters that cover topics from: quick-reference for real food ingredient guide, local verses organic, healthy fats/oils, milk products, soy, junk-foods, food obstacles, including the importance of a strong faith in God—the whole body: mind/body/soul, to adding a few recipes and references. I was surprised at some of the items she considers as unhealthy foods, foods that we eat without thinking about their nutritional values. I am not sure I could make such a drastic change in our eating habits without much thought and prayer. I know “selling it” to my family would certainly be a challenge. I did find some of her suggestions to making “small” changes to possibly being doable.
~I received a copy of this book from TBCN and the author for my honest review~
Real Food for Rookies by Kelly Moeggenborg, aka Kelly the Kitchen Kop
Publ: House of Bread Books c. 2015
This book is a wonderful book for those who wish to improve their health through the way they eat, the way they prepare their food, and how they can reach a better level of eating step-by-step. Kelly encourages the reader through examples from real life. Her inclusion of smaller steps makes taking baby steps easy if you have never cooked from scratch before and if you have never dealt with unprocessed foods before. I grew up cooking and eating garden-grown vegetables and fruits. Butter was a normal on our table. Given my background, I was amazed and excited to learn all the ways I could improve my family’s eating habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to improve their family’s eating habits and, thereby, their health. It is written in a style that is easy to read an apply. Thank you, Kelly, for providing a much needed book.
I was provided this book for my unbiased review by The Book Club Network.
I have tried so many times to do a menu plan on my blog, but I always end up fixing something quick and easy, I like that this mom homeschools and knows what it is like to have a house full all day long, while trying to prepare dinner. This book definitely packs a punch at 173 pages. The author starts by describing what food is real and what is not. She then discusses organic foods. I never really thought about local versus organic. I always thought that they were similar. However that is not the case. I also found the quick reference really helpful for when I had questions. There are helpful resources, web links, measurements and conversions. I can not wait to try the recipes! The quotes were also fun to read. The junk food list in pictures was scary and I think that it should be posted everywhere! I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from The Book Club Network Inc, however all opinions are my own.
This is an excellent guide on how to eat the right way! I love the way Kelly Moeggenborg has laid out this book. It's in an easy to read, easy to follow format. You could read it straight through or just use it as a reference guide. Most of us struggle with the right way to cook and eat. This guide gives us little tidbits to help us along our journey. She even has a few little funny cartoons placed in the book along the way. There are also some recipes in the back of the book.
One thing that really stands out to me is how much better butter is for you than margarine. I knew butter was better, but after reading this book, I am hooked. I didn't realize butter had so many good health factors. Thanks, Kelly, for this info! This will be a book that I will save and use as a reference.
I received this book from bookfun for my honest opinion.
The author changed her family's diet and wrote this book to show the reader the simple steps to implementing a healthy in their lives. She begins by talking about how to take it one step at a time and what to start with first. She then builds on each chapter with additional information.
This book is for the beginner in healthy cooking. The steps are simple and easy to understand and implement. There are a few black and white pictures and six recipes included in one of the chapters. With the exception of the soda pop recipe, all of the recipes are simple and easy to make. This book would be great for someone who is completely lost when it comes to implementing a healthy diet and needs a starting point and some general ideas.
I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.
I found some great information on eating healthy whole foods. Kelly gives us a guide and her take on how to live eating real food. She includes a quick-reference real food ingredient guide, rules of thumb to keep in mind and information links for even more online information. I found good solid advise on ways to eat healthier, some healthy recipes to get started with and so much more on her website. Kelly the Kitchen Kop's passion for promoting healthy eating is definitely shown from the first page to the last! I'd recommend this book if you are wanting facts and help in getting started with eating Real Food. I was gifted a copy by the author through the Book Club Network (bookfun.org) for my honest review.
I am so thankful I got this book in my hands. This is an excellent book. There is so much information out there about why you should eat this or you need to avoid that. Kelly Moeggenborg has taken a lot of the guesswork out of healthy eating and buying whole foods. I love the layout of the book. The first chapter is a quick guide and then each following chapter breaks the info down into bite-size portions. She included comparisons of good vs bad foods. She included pictures. There are a few recipes and links to more. This book is small enough to slip in your purse for a trip to the grocery store. I highly recommend Real Food for Rookies.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review which I have given.
This book was wonderful. Even though I know how I’m supposed to cook - learning how to do it simply is hard and maintaining it is even harder when I don’t know how to keep the momentum going. She gives me the motivation, inspiration, and variety needed to keep on track and keep feeding my family fuel instead of junk and wasted calories. Highly recommend. Now if only she could come and actually cook for me - although she makes me excited to think about cooking - and that’s huge!
I received this book for free from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. I have posted my review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.