True Roots: A Mindful Kitchen with More Than 100 Recipes Free of Gluten, Dairy, and Refined Sugar: A Cookbook

by Kristin Cavallari

Instant New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cavallari reveals her favorite clean recipes for a well body, spirit, and mind. 

NAMED ONE OF THE FIVE BEST GLUTEN-FREE COOKBOOKS OF ALL TIME BY  MINDBODYGREEN

In Balancing in Heels , Kristin Cavallari shared her personal journey along with her tips on everything from style to relationships. And now, with her instant New York Times bestseller  True Roots, Cavallari shows you that improving the way you eat doesn’t have to be difficult—a clean and toxin-free diet can and should be fun, easy, and enjoyable. She learned the hard way that dieting leads nowhere good, and that a clean lifestyle is the ticket to feeling and being healthy.

So how does Kristin eat? Organic as much as possible, wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nothing white—no white flour, sugar, or salt. She avoids anything heavily processed and anything that has been stripped of natural nutrients. She maintains a lifestyle free of toxic chemicals and is passionate about creating delicious and hearty food from real ingredients. She wants her food to be true, as close to its natural state as possible.

Her recipes—flax banana quinoa muffins, bison and veggie kabobs, and even zucchini almond butter blondies—are proof that a healthy lifestyle isn’t boring or bland. Feed yourself real food and see how much better you feel, both mentally and physically.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food, Health, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 3, 2018

Reviews

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does this cookbook have more pictures of the author than of the food?

[Christina Bowser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have liked more pictures of the food and less of the author.

[Brianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel conflicted. Some of these recipes appear to be health-ifed deliciousness in a way I find approachable and possible. But why did the author feel the need to insert so MANY photos of her self. More food, less...weird, awkward photos.

[Gina *loves sunshine* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook has a variety of great recipes using nice, simple flavorful ingredients! All the good basics for snacks, eggs, salads, meat, drinks and desserts. I love the way she used fresh ingredients to flavor the food ~ definitely my kind of cooking!!

Great little commentary about each recipe and how it works for her family. Lots of yummy stuff good for adults and kids who will eat real food! The only downside for me was her go to flour was Oat and that is not a favorite of mine, I can't wait to see if I can sub for something else. She does have a ton of nut and coconut flour recipes included though.

[Merary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to lower the rating because I found out that Kristin Cavallari is anti-vaxx and with that alone, she deserves to remain a useless reality TV star that is never going to rise above the Z-list. Anyone can get their own book deal with enough money, and I usually don't find that to be a problem, but the plug needs to stop before her words are considered the McCarthy Gospel™ of this atrocious movement. The next book she decides to vomit onto us should stay on the drafts because enough is enough with these dangerously-minded "celebrities."

Something should be said about this vanity project and how it was less about recipes and more about her ostentatious demonstration about how beautiful and picture-perfect she is. Someone already mentioned it, but it's true, every picture that wasn't food was a photoshoot dedicated to her self-absorbed reality.

But, wait, Merary!" You take me aside, nervously darting your eyes back and forth, hoping no one else can hear. "You originally rated this 2 stars, which means you didn't mind the recipes or her vanity. Did that discovery really changed things on your enjoyment of the book?" And to answer your question, her values are a reflection of her book, which is why I can't bring myself to be that positive about her or her book. Her recipes aren't bad if you don't want gluten and dairy in your diet, however, I did get the sense that she was out-of-touch and has no idea who her demographic is, which happens to be the average middle-class, working white woman. I seriously feel bad for the fans who don't fall into that category because she subliminally calls you a broke bitch who doesn't care about the health of your well-being if you can't follow the over the top restrictions that she presents in her recipes. Pink Himalayan salt? For every recipe? A type of salt that has no real benefits and is 20 times more expensive than regular salt? Good lord, the pseudo-science was there all along, I should have seen her brainless view on vaccines coming!

It all makes sense now, her idol is Jenny McCarthy, and not only does she advocate on the fraudulent science that vaccines cause autism, she believes that dairy and gluten are the enemies of nutrition, and essential oils are the best thing to live a chemical-free life (Yes, really, read the article, it is exactly the kind of thing you'll find for these type of people) . . . just like her hero! She is a gluten-free mom AND an essential oil mom? I hope she is a Karen that complains to customer service on the side because I really need to fill my Classic Mom checklist. Being a triple-threat has never felt so good!

BONUS!!
If you are into ASMR, there's this Suburban Mom satirical series that really illustrates why these type of women should be ridiculed. Also, the universe by itself is intriguing, so check it out.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The truth on True Roots:

Does it have a major focus on root vegetables, or heritage cooking? No.

I picked this book up because I mistakenly thought it was another great cookbook from the author of My New Roots - Sarah Britton. All of her work is worth checking out.

This... is not. Unless! Unless you like lots of photos of the author staring sultrily into the camera, or wearing low-cut tops or shorty-shorts! Then, you may indeed think this is a good book.

I however, was grossed out by the extent to which it screamed "vanity project!".
That is not to say there aren't a few good recipes in here - there are! (a few)
It was just such a turn-off to have to page through all the glamor shots to get to them.

[Chandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst gluten free, dairy free cookbook I've ever seen! Most of the gluten free recipes use oat flour as a substitute for wheat. My gluten sensitivity doesn't allow me to eat oats because the protein in them is very similar to gluten. Apparently the author doesn't believe sheep or goat milk/cheese is a dairy product. As someone who can't eat casein ALL dairy products count. And by the way, a cookbook author who thinks casein is the covering that goes on sausage (uh, that's sausage casing) is very dubious. (FYI Kristin - casein is a dairy protein.) The author seemed more concerned about including cute pictures of herself than about good, gluten and dairy free food. Needless to say, I returned this book promptly.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
a cookbook should have pics of finished dishes, but this one has pics of the author in short shorts and tiny tops posing like a model instead

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately let down by this one! Nothing I hadn't already seen before, or that was either simple or exciting enough to want to try.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wouldn't think it would be so hard to find a good cookbook that has recipes free of dairy, gluten, and refined sugars but it is really hard! Most of the cookbooks that I have come across without these ingredients are complex and I wouldn't make the majority of the recipes in those books.

BUT THIS ONE!

I LOVE this cookbook, I picked it up from the library but I want my own copy because the recipes are simple and are actually meals that I would make!

I also like that she has meals with meat, as many of the cookbooks that exclude these ingredients are vegetarian and vegan, which I am not. I just saw that she has a new cookbook out and I am itching to get my hands on that one too!

[Briel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristin makes GF recipes accessible and familiar. Personally I related more to her newest cookbook, True Comfort, because almost all of the recipes were to my taste but True Roots is equally worthy of accolades. The recipes in True Roots seem to sway more to spring/summer menu items while True Comfort is fall/winter. I’m planning on making her chocolate chip cookie recipe from this book this weekend as well as the sausage acorn squash boats. I appreciate her ability to take familiar foods and make them healthier with a few swaps while not taking away from the flavor profiles.

[A Verity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ended up with this for a cookbook club. It was bizarre in that where there are usually pictures of food, there were instead pictures of the author. I mean a lot of them, like 2 page spreads. The recipes I made -- apple fennel slaw, roasted chicken and a couple of the teas -- were not bad but nothing to write home about. I also don't understand the name of the book, it's not about root vegetables as you might guess.

[writnkitten · Rating 2 out of 5]

Literally not one recipe I either hadn't seen before or, if I hadn't seen it already, would want to try.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this cookbook! Can’t wait to try the recipes. Who knew I would grow up to relate to Kristin more than LC!

[Clare Marshall]

I love getting cookbooks from the library so I can decide if I want to buy them. I don’t think I would buy this book but there are a few recipes I’d like to try. There were too many pictures of Kristin (sans food) and not enough pictures of the food in the recipes.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst cookbook. Maybe the actual cook that did write the recipes (for real- his name is just not on the cover) should just make his own cookbook so we don't have to see his pancake recipe with a dumb model pose picture of Kristin with zero food in the picture.

[Laurissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to make some of the recipes, I actually read it from cover to cover dreaming about cooking.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this cookbook! I eat like she does (mindful of dairy/gluten and refined sugar). Some of the recipes look delicious, especially a few of the salad recipes, the blondies, and the popsicles on the back cover. And I am now intrigued about sheep's milk yogurt (though where do you buy that?) However, the cookbook is essentially a photo shoot - it is just pictures of her! There is not even a photo of every recipe, but on every other page there is a picture of her posing (without food) in some revealing outfit. Distasteful. Luckily I just checked the book out from the library and did not waste my money on it.

[Bria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean I saved about 7 recipes I wanted to try, but 50% of this books is photos of the author looking rich and perfect and the rest is fancy AF food that the everyday family wouldn’t attainably eat.

But my biggest issue with this book is a TON of the recipes use sheep cheese/yogurt/milk. This is supposed to be a DAIRY FREE cook book. Not cows milk free. “The definition of dairy includes foods produced from the milk of mammals, such as cows and goats ( 1 ). Basically, it refers to milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt.” So for me, being completely dairy free, all those recipes are useless.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I waited and checked this book out from my library. There's only a handful of recipes my family would want to make and the amount of stuff we would have to have on hand would make us go broke. I can appreciate the book itself. Which is why I gave it 3 stars. But I would never be able to follow along with a lot of this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of those books touting the author's lifestyle and pouty sexy pictures as much as it's about the food. But this time, I loved these recipes! So simple and so healthy. Came at me just as I'm (again) trying to be more mindful about what I'm eating, especially sugar.

[Dux [My week is Booked] · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was an entire section in the book on flavored ice cubes....

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leave the bias opinions about the woman herself at the door. The recipes are great and the look and flow of the book are superb.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to be wowed by this cook book - I wasn't wowed - but it is a good solid representation of recipes's that are gluten free & dairy free. & refined sugar free. However, some of the ingredients are not commonly available in my area (which is frustrating), and some were available but significantly more expensive than the traditional options.

Loved these recipes for their flavor and/or convenience of preparation: Chia parfaits, simple granola, butternut squash pancakes, BBQ chicken salad with pineapple chipotle ranch dressing, grilled chicken with peach chutney, artichoke hummus, golden milk . There are some dessert options that I haven't tried yet - but am looking forward to - Apple Pie (skipping the coconut - not a fan), and a classic chocolate souffle.

Could have used fewer pictures of the author - when I buy a recipe book - I'm not really interested in the person who wrote it (that's what biographies/autobiographies are for) - I'm interested in the food. It was very nice that she included recipes to make your own condiments, seasonings & sauces.

[Sarah W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm trying (as I do every year around this time, it seems) to loose the weight I've put on over the winter season. This cookbook is full of recipes without gluten, diary, and refined sugar (so essentially, all the delicious stuff I love too much) and I was pleasantly surprised by how simple many of the recipes are. I know I won't make all of the recipes in this book, but I've already made the turmeric-glazed mahi mahi several times and I have plans to make the carrot and leek lentils again soon. I do wish the book itself had more pictures of the food, but enough recipes pass the test that I can't really complain.

[Lynnette Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this cookbook. I use so many of the recipes at least twice a week. The desserts are delicious and my kids love them. I’m so happy I can give them dessert without worrying about all the bad. I also make a lot of the breakfast and some dinners every weeK. Cannot wait for True Comfort to be released. I still use some recipes from balancing in Heels also! Thank you Kristin for making maintaining a healthy lifestyle easier.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the best gluten free, dairy free cookbooks I have found. Many other cookbooks just use “gluten-free flour” or cheese substitute- I’m impressed at the different options in each of these recipes that uses a lot of different options that I haven’t heard of before: like cassava flour, cashew milk, etc. I’ve tried a good majority of the recipes in this book and everything turns out very tasty! I love all of the homemade dressings!

[Kate Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes for detoxing and being more mindful. Most recipes require at least one slightly expensive ingredient, but I’ve found it’s been worth the splurge. My favorite recipe is the almond butter zucchini blonde brownies - so yummy and I don’t feel guilty because it includes a veggie! Recommend the purchase.

[Elizabeth Lively · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it a cook book or a Kristen Cavallari photo album?

I'd recommend this book to someone who wants to see plenty of photos of Kristen Cavallari. As far as recipes go, there is a wide variety of recipes I would like to prepare. I would appreciate photos of every recipe instead of photos of Kristen Cavallari.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a visual person, particularly when it comes to cookbooks. There were some lovely pictures, though more of the author than of tbe food.

On my first flip-through of the book I did find two recipes that I want to try...both had photos which caught my eye.