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Good Food for Bad Days: What to Make When You're Feeling Blue
Food writer and anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe presents Good Food for Bad Days, a collection of cheering, tasty and easy meals to make when you're low in spirits.
Eating properly is one of the biggest hurdles when you're feeling low, so these recipes (dubbed 'depressipes' by Jack) give you everything you need in a dish; they are inexpensive, simple and filling so that cooking and eating a nutritious meal doesn't seem like an impossible task. This collection includes comforting dishes such as Quick and Spicy Noodles, Recalibration Supper, Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding and Hot Apple Pies.
In this handy little paperback cookbook, Jack shares friendly and creative tips for making a little go a long way and for using store-cupboard ingredients: perfect for when you're feeling overwhelmed by whatever is on your plate, but still want to take care of yourself.
Eating properly is one of the biggest hurdles when you're feeling low, so these recipes (dubbed 'depressipes' by Jack) give you everything you need in a dish; they are inexpensive, simple and filling so that cooking and eating a nutritious meal doesn't seem like an impossible task. This collection includes comforting dishes such as Quick and Spicy Noodles, Recalibration Supper, Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding and Hot Apple Pies.
In this handy little paperback cookbook, Jack shares friendly and creative tips for making a little go a long way and for using store-cupboard ingredients: perfect for when you're feeling overwhelmed by whatever is on your plate, but still want to take care of yourself.
176 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2021
45 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Jack Monroe
27 books74 followersJack Monroe is a British food writer, journalist and activist known for campaigning on poverty issues, particularly hunger relief. Monroe has published a blog and several books of "austerity recipes", and has campaigned alongside various British charity organisations. Monroe initially rose to prominence for writing a blog titled A Girl Called Jack (now renamed Cooking on a Bootstrap), and has since written for publications such as The Echo, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, and The New Yorker. Monroe identifies as non-binary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 29, 2020
"This is a very dangerous piece of knowledge to have; the ability to rustle up a hot sticky pudding in a matter of minutes that tastes like a pile of melted Jaffa cakes."
Jack Monroe is one of those chefs that I've heard lots about, but never actually seen any recipes by. Today that changed and I am not sure I could ever go back!
This book is honest. She's straight up with her situation and the reason why she's written a cookbook that she wanted to call ‘Depressipes’. This book is filled with easy to make comfort food, and I can truly say I have never been through a cookbook and wanted to try nearly every single recipe.
The recipes themselves are practical, made with cheap ingredients that can easily be found in any UK supermarket.
But it's not just the recipes. This book is just fun.
For example, here is the description on how to knead bread:
"First, drive your palm into the dough and push it away from you like a mugger trying to nick your mobile phone on a dark night. POW! Grab it by the scruff of the neck at the back and pull it back towards you. Flip it over. Throw it down. Whack it again. BAM! This should feel satisfying and slightly bizarre."
This book is a game-changer and I highly recommend anyone who can get their hands on it, should do so.
Jack Monroe is one of those chefs that I've heard lots about, but never actually seen any recipes by. Today that changed and I am not sure I could ever go back!
This book is honest. She's straight up with her situation and the reason why she's written a cookbook that she wanted to call ‘Depressipes’. This book is filled with easy to make comfort food, and I can truly say I have never been through a cookbook and wanted to try nearly every single recipe.
The recipes themselves are practical, made with cheap ingredients that can easily be found in any UK supermarket.
But it's not just the recipes. This book is just fun.
For example, here is the description on how to knead bread:
"First, drive your palm into the dough and push it away from you like a mugger trying to nick your mobile phone on a dark night. POW! Grab it by the scruff of the neck at the back and pull it back towards you. Flip it over. Throw it down. Whack it again. BAM! This should feel satisfying and slightly bizarre."
This book is a game-changer and I highly recommend anyone who can get their hands on it, should do so.
May 28, 2020
I have always been a fan of Jack Monroe from her blog Cooking on a Book Strap, her campaigning to her buying her recipe books. Good Food for bad days is a slightly different book.
It starts with a very honest account of her life and her mental health and how herself gets through her good and bad days. Things that many of us can relate to today. She also tells us of the different foods and how they enhance our moods and then there is the recipes. Once again, they are affordable recipes that she has written with love. Ingredients that you may have in your cupboard. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes like Jaffa cake mug pudding, Recalibration supper and Sticky Beer and Lime Chicken with vegetable rice. Yummy. This book reminds me of a comfort blanket or even a best friend always there when you need a pick me up. I liked this so much I went a brought the paperback.
It starts with a very honest account of her life and her mental health and how herself gets through her good and bad days. Things that many of us can relate to today. She also tells us of the different foods and how they enhance our moods and then there is the recipes. Once again, they are affordable recipes that she has written with love. Ingredients that you may have in your cupboard. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes like Jaffa cake mug pudding, Recalibration supper and Sticky Beer and Lime Chicken with vegetable rice. Yummy. This book reminds me of a comfort blanket or even a best friend always there when you need a pick me up. I liked this so much I went a brought the paperback.
May 30, 2020
I've followed Jack on Twitter for a while now and have a couple of her books already. I love the concept behind this one. Like her, and Matt Haig who wrote the foreword, I suffer from depression and when high you just don't take care of your health. For me, I overeat and overeat junk food so to have a book on the shelf of nice easy, often under 15 minutes to make meals is a game changer. Being a cook book it's jam packed full of easy to make, tasty sounding meals but I also really liked the reasoning behind them or how they came about.
Taking advantage of my good mood at the minute I'm going to try a few of these and see which feels best for me for down days. It's a brilliant book, I love it.
Taking advantage of my good mood at the minute I'm going to try a few of these and see which feels best for me for down days. It's a brilliant book, I love it.
June 11, 2020
I love Jack Monroe, she is an inspiration, I love her cooking, it’s real, practical and affordable but it’s also amazing. This was such a great idea for a cookbook and like her other books which I own (and I’ll be buying a copy for the kitchen of this) it’s got amazing mouthwatering recipes in, that are easy to make, clearly explained and make you want to cook them all. It’ll be difficult choosing what to make first. Practical and beautiful food.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
January 21, 2021
Jack Monroe is brilliant on Twitter and comes up with some great suggestions. This book has some wonderful ideas in it and I appreciated the parts she added about herself and a section at the beginning of useful food to have in your cupboards. Quite a lot of these I don’t think I’ll use, and many had ingredients I wouldn’t normally have in and seem potentially quite expensive. On the whole though a good mix of recipes.
February 7, 2021
I disliked the Matt Haig foreword because I just find his work insufferable. I really got annoyed reading his takes on the emotional aspects of food (which I do agree with), whilst remembering all that bollocks he spouted when people tried to tell him that money could actually help depression in a lot of cases, because being in poverty is (spoiler alert) incredibly bad for your mental health.
For a brief moment I worried that might set the tone for the rest of the book, but I should’ve known better - you can trust Jack Monroe on this. These recipes are easy enough that you can manage when you’re really struggling, tasty enough to offer comfort and nourishment and made from ingredients that are easily sourced and often very cheap. The writing is warm and honest, as always.
Jack’s books are the most used in my house for these very reasons.
For a brief moment I worried that might set the tone for the rest of the book, but I should’ve known better - you can trust Jack Monroe on this. These recipes are easy enough that you can manage when you’re really struggling, tasty enough to offer comfort and nourishment and made from ingredients that are easily sourced and often very cheap. The writing is warm and honest, as always.
Jack’s books are the most used in my house for these very reasons.
Read
August 5, 2020As a long time fan of Jack Monroe's (I already own 4 of their previous books) and as someone with a history of mental illness, I was thrilled to find a new book filled with 'depressipes'. I quickly ordered it and evangelised to those around me how excited I was to read it. However, I found myself disappointed.
Many of the recipes have long lists of ingredients and steps that would seem overwhelming whilst in the grips of depression, while the chapter around making food in advance seemed to require a great deal of forethought (something I tend to lack whilst under the dark cloud). I was hoping for recipes that could be made for the days where boiling a kettle seems a huge effort, but the chapter on quick meals felt especially sparse.
I did appreciate the chapter on slow cooking to heal the mind, and found the introduction to that chapter inspiring. There can be a great deal of comfort and solace felt in chopping vegetables and letting a pan bubble, but generally I find that in my worst days these recipes can just be too overwhelming.
Perhaps the issue is my own high expectations, and a genuine hope for low effort food to make in 5 minutes on my worst days. But I do question the judgement of including a recipe for grapefruit cake in a book targeted at people with mental illnesses, knowing that grapefruit is the only food many people taking antidepressants should not eat. Many of the recipes do sound delicious, and I'll be sure to make them, but I don't think this book was the home for them. I hoped for more from Jack Monroe, and couldn't help but feel let down.
Many of the recipes have long lists of ingredients and steps that would seem overwhelming whilst in the grips of depression, while the chapter around making food in advance seemed to require a great deal of forethought (something I tend to lack whilst under the dark cloud). I was hoping for recipes that could be made for the days where boiling a kettle seems a huge effort, but the chapter on quick meals felt especially sparse.
I did appreciate the chapter on slow cooking to heal the mind, and found the introduction to that chapter inspiring. There can be a great deal of comfort and solace felt in chopping vegetables and letting a pan bubble, but generally I find that in my worst days these recipes can just be too overwhelming.
Perhaps the issue is my own high expectations, and a genuine hope for low effort food to make in 5 minutes on my worst days. But I do question the judgement of including a recipe for grapefruit cake in a book targeted at people with mental illnesses, knowing that grapefruit is the only food many people taking antidepressants should not eat. Many of the recipes do sound delicious, and I'll be sure to make them, but I don't think this book was the home for them. I hoped for more from Jack Monroe, and couldn't help but feel let down.
July 15, 2020
The Good Food for Bad Days by Jack Monroe is a recipe book that tries to help make food for when you are feeling poorly or mentally unwell. It is also part memoir with Monroe's reflection on her own mental health and anecdotes about when to eat the dishes.
The introduction covers some of her own battles, and provides details on some foods to eat regularly, alongside essential ingredients and equipment to use.
The book is divided into 9 chapters of recipes (no of recipes) and before the start of each chapter is an anecdote.
- Mugs (7)
- Handy Pots (7)
- Finger Foods (5)
- Breakfast & Brunch (12)
- 15 minutes or less (12)
- One pan (12)
- Take your time (7)
- In the oven (5)
- The Sweet Stuff (10)
The recipes are in metric measurements and throughout the book there are illustrations. Also included with some of the recipes are handy storage instructions, be it in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for a few months. If a recipe is vegetarian or vegan, it is indicated at the top of the recipe, plus it provides details on the number it serves.
Overall I found this quite a disappointing book of recipes. There were absolutely no photographs of any of the dishes and I didn't like the way the instructions were written - whilst they are in steps, I didn't like the informal style and none of the recipes called out to me to make them.
I received this from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
The introduction covers some of her own battles, and provides details on some foods to eat regularly, alongside essential ingredients and equipment to use.
The book is divided into 9 chapters of recipes (no of recipes) and before the start of each chapter is an anecdote.
- Mugs (7)
- Handy Pots (7)
- Finger Foods (5)
- Breakfast & Brunch (12)
- 15 minutes or less (12)
- One pan (12)
- Take your time (7)
- In the oven (5)
- The Sweet Stuff (10)
The recipes are in metric measurements and throughout the book there are illustrations. Also included with some of the recipes are handy storage instructions, be it in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for a few months. If a recipe is vegetarian or vegan, it is indicated at the top of the recipe, plus it provides details on the number it serves.
Overall I found this quite a disappointing book of recipes. There were absolutely no photographs of any of the dishes and I didn't like the way the instructions were written - whilst they are in steps, I didn't like the informal style and none of the recipes called out to me to make them.
I received this from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
August 17, 2020
IDK why I keep picking up her cookbooks. More oddball combos of ingredients resulting in unappealing recipes that seem inedible even in concept. I' m afraid I will never get over seeing her propose a pasta and tinned mandarin dish,, (not this title)
May 30, 2020
Good Food for Bad Days is a cookbook that focuses on eating when you're feeling bad. From one pan recipes and things you can just stick in the oven to recipes that take under 15 minutes or things that are great to keep in the fridge, the book is divided into practical sections and the recipes tend to have alternate ingredients and ways of freezing them if possible. It is also part memoir (as cookbooks often can be), with Monroe's reflection on mental health and anecdotes about when to eat the recipes.
This is a practical cookbook but also a kind of inspiration to find the food and simple recipes that might work for you when you're feeling bad and still need to eat. Practically, actually making the recipes on bad days isn't necessarily very likely, but there's a lot of good ideas for things you can make and freeze, and comforting yet healthy meals that aren't too expensive. The book has a candid tone and the feel of someone just sending you some recipes that might help, with their own asides where you might want to change them.
As someone who never owned a blender, I've always found it hard to make a lot of the meals in Monroe's books, but I actually got a stick blender recently so I'm far more likely to try making some of these. People who like cookbooks full of aspirational, more complex cooking probably won't enjoy this one, but it's a good kind of cookbook for those looking for something that is simply practical and more of a pick me up than an in-depth guide.
This is a practical cookbook but also a kind of inspiration to find the food and simple recipes that might work for you when you're feeling bad and still need to eat. Practically, actually making the recipes on bad days isn't necessarily very likely, but there's a lot of good ideas for things you can make and freeze, and comforting yet healthy meals that aren't too expensive. The book has a candid tone and the feel of someone just sending you some recipes that might help, with their own asides where you might want to change them.
As someone who never owned a blender, I've always found it hard to make a lot of the meals in Monroe's books, but I actually got a stick blender recently so I'm far more likely to try making some of these. People who like cookbooks full of aspirational, more complex cooking probably won't enjoy this one, but it's a good kind of cookbook for those looking for something that is simply practical and more of a pick me up than an in-depth guide.
May 28, 2020
Something different from the usual cookbook. I am a foodie, it’s one of my main comforts in life but let me tell you a little about my relationship with food. I often struggle with anxiety and when I’m at my worst my relationship with food is terrible. It’s not that I don’t want to eat I just cannot be bothered to make food at all. That’s where this wonderful book can help me. Jack has written a book filled full (75 recipes) with amazing if a little quirky recipes to feed all of my mindsets. There are recipes for when you just need some quick and easy nutrition with “no faff”, for when you can indulge in taking your time with a recipe and every point in-between. The recipes are easy to follow and interesting, there are lot of combinations you never thought you needed in your life until you read this! The commentary through the book is reassuring, warm and non patronising and I enjoyed the foreword from Matt Haig.
This is a book I would not just recommend but I am going to actively purchase for a couple of friends who I think could really benefit from it (And not just in the hope they will make me Ice Cream Cake)
This is a book I would not just recommend but I am going to actively purchase for a couple of friends who I think could really benefit from it (And not just in the hope they will make me Ice Cream Cake)
July 10, 2020
I absolutely adore Jack Monroe - their writing style is sublime and they are one of the most authentic people out there in the public eye.
Their cookbooks are just so so useful, recipes are easy to follow without fancy smancy ingredients and they are always on hand to offer substitutions or cater to different diets. Every recipe I've ever tried I've loved and Jack has given me so much confidence in the kitchen.
Of course they would turn their skills to writing a book for those of us that suffer from not ideal mental health and I'm just ecstatic that Jack did. I honestly could have cried when Jack mentioned the comfort of rusks as an adult or wearing shoes in the house to feel grounded, I felt so heard and seen.
Reading the book in itself was a huge comfort with all sorts of recipes to suit your mood and nutritional needs without being condescending or too 'do some yoga and eat some quinoa' about it. It actually made me laugh out loud at times too. I borrowed it as an e-book from my library but will be purchasing for myself and anyone I think may benefit from it. Highly, highly recommend!
Their cookbooks are just so so useful, recipes are easy to follow without fancy smancy ingredients and they are always on hand to offer substitutions or cater to different diets. Every recipe I've ever tried I've loved and Jack has given me so much confidence in the kitchen.
Of course they would turn their skills to writing a book for those of us that suffer from not ideal mental health and I'm just ecstatic that Jack did. I honestly could have cried when Jack mentioned the comfort of rusks as an adult or wearing shoes in the house to feel grounded, I felt so heard and seen.
Reading the book in itself was a huge comfort with all sorts of recipes to suit your mood and nutritional needs without being condescending or too 'do some yoga and eat some quinoa' about it. It actually made me laugh out loud at times too. I borrowed it as an e-book from my library but will be purchasing for myself and anyone I think may benefit from it. Highly, highly recommend!
June 7, 2020
Thanks to Pan Macmillan / Bluebird and Netgalley for the ARC!
Not all of the recipes were to my taste (I have a personal vendetta against corguettes), but I really appreciated the frankness here. This is a very open, and honest book - I empathised with just how difficult it can be to cook for yourself sometimes, and it was a relief to see recipes presented which acknowledged this reality. As my tastes in food (and cooking habits) are quite predictable, I found the "just bung it in the oven" (paraphrased!) and sweet stuff chapters most relevant, but I earmarked recipes throughout the book. As the recipes themselves are simpler, I'm more likely to actually attempt to make them. I definitely got lots of meal ideas and inspiration from Good Food for Bad Days, even if I'll change up some of the flavours. It also made me feel the urge to buy a bullet-style blender!
Not all of the recipes were to my taste (I have a personal vendetta against corguettes), but I really appreciated the frankness here. This is a very open, and honest book - I empathised with just how difficult it can be to cook for yourself sometimes, and it was a relief to see recipes presented which acknowledged this reality. As my tastes in food (and cooking habits) are quite predictable, I found the "just bung it in the oven" (paraphrased!) and sweet stuff chapters most relevant, but I earmarked recipes throughout the book. As the recipes themselves are simpler, I'm more likely to actually attempt to make them. I definitely got lots of meal ideas and inspiration from Good Food for Bad Days, even if I'll change up some of the flavours. It also made me feel the urge to buy a bullet-style blender!
September 25, 2020
I wasn’t really sure what to expect with this book. I obviously expected some great recipes as in the other fabulous Jack Monroe cookbooks I have, but I suspected that this was going to be a little different when I saw that the foreword was written by Matt Haig, who is someone else I follow on Twitter...
And I was not disappointed at all! So much so that I literally read the whole book in one sitting, bookmarking the recipes I want to try along the way (there were a lot of bookmarks, lol)
I could relate to more in this book than I care to admit in this review, but just reading it was like receiving a virtual foodie hug, and I can’t tell you how lovely that was.
Absolutely worth every one of the 5 stars I am giving it and I would highly recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley, Bluebird and Jack Monroe for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.
And I was not disappointed at all! So much so that I literally read the whole book in one sitting, bookmarking the recipes I want to try along the way (there were a lot of bookmarks, lol)
I could relate to more in this book than I care to admit in this review, but just reading it was like receiving a virtual foodie hug, and I can’t tell you how lovely that was.
Absolutely worth every one of the 5 stars I am giving it and I would highly recommend it.
My thanks to NetGalley, Bluebird and Jack Monroe for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.
June 1, 2020
I love Jack Monroe's books. They are always full of helpful advice, hints, tips and easy ways to produce tasty food - and save money at the same time.
Good Food for Bad Days is a little different in that this is Jack talking candidly about the kind of food that has helped her keep on a even keel, even when times have been very hard, and each chapter has a very personal preface about the whys and wherefores of the recipes to follow.
This is comforting food. Easy food which can be made in a jiffy for times when you just do not have the energy or inclination for more, and food to life your mood - all done with the special touch that makes Jack's recipes so user (and store cupboard) friendly.
There are lots of yummy recipes in these pages that I can't wait to try!
Good Food for Bad Days is a little different in that this is Jack talking candidly about the kind of food that has helped her keep on a even keel, even when times have been very hard, and each chapter has a very personal preface about the whys and wherefores of the recipes to follow.
This is comforting food. Easy food which can be made in a jiffy for times when you just do not have the energy or inclination for more, and food to life your mood - all done with the special touch that makes Jack's recipes so user (and store cupboard) friendly.
There are lots of yummy recipes in these pages that I can't wait to try!
June 15, 2020
I love the idea of this book - quick and easy meals for those days where you're feeling low. I particularly enjoyed the 15 minute meal section.
There's a good selection of budget meals that are tasty, nutritious and quick for days where you can't face cooking or the thought of preparing a meal is overwhelming. Most diets are covered - including vegetarian and vegan so something to suit everyone.
I did find a few of the recipes had a lot of ingredients or the recipe itself was fairly elaborate - not ideal if in the depths of depression and slightly out of place within this particular book. However, a handy book to have and well worth a look.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.
There's a good selection of budget meals that are tasty, nutritious and quick for days where you can't face cooking or the thought of preparing a meal is overwhelming. Most diets are covered - including vegetarian and vegan so something to suit everyone.
I did find a few of the recipes had a lot of ingredients or the recipe itself was fairly elaborate - not ideal if in the depths of depression and slightly out of place within this particular book. However, a handy book to have and well worth a look.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.
June 21, 2020
I was excited to read this book and try out some of the recipes but to be honest I thought this book might not be quite for me.Living in a rural area it can be difficult to find many ingredients in these kinds of books.I was wrong! Most ingredients I either had or could easily find. I did make some recipes from here and they were all delicious and a big hit with my family!
What I did try I really enjoyed though my favourites in this book were the
Apple peanut butter,
Chicken butter
fluffer nut french toast (this was a big hit with my son)
Stewed steak lasagne
and the hot apple pies
So if you are looking for easy to make recipes with store cupboard ingredients then this is the book for you!
What I did try I really enjoyed though my favourites in this book were the
Apple peanut butter,
Chicken butter
fluffer nut french toast (this was a big hit with my son)
Stewed steak lasagne
and the hot apple pies
So if you are looking for easy to make recipes with store cupboard ingredients then this is the book for you!
August 19, 2020
Collection of recipes suitable for people who don't feel like doing elaborate cooking. It's aimed at those suffering from depression but there are of course many other reasons for lacking energy or the physical ability to do much in the way of complicated preparation, chopping, and so on. Lots of useful tips and suggestions, and very readable too. It includes lots of quick and easy suggestions such as in the chapter "Fifteen minutes or less", "Mugs", and "One pan", and some general advice on looking after yourself nutritionally (without dieting). I shall now do my usual thing with cookery books and go back through it more slowly noting what might be practicable for me (not depressed but limited in other ways in what I can do in the kitchen!)
December 24, 2020
For me, this is a book to keep. It doesn’t have any photo but I still like it. When you are not well physically or not in the mood for cooking or you simply want some comfort food, there are plenty of ideas in this book. I am from the Far East so my comfort foods are slightly different but I can adapt. For example, I would make my Chicken Porridge with rice rather than oats.
There are a lot of recipes with oats. Most of the Breakfast section use oats. I will probably skip this section. I love peanut butter and there are lots of recipes with peanut butter. Good for me.
I ordered this book online from the library. I don’t think I would have read it if I saw there were no photos. So glad I have read it though.
There are a lot of recipes with oats. Most of the Breakfast section use oats. I will probably skip this section. I love peanut butter and there are lots of recipes with peanut butter. Good for me.
I ordered this book online from the library. I don’t think I would have read it if I saw there were no photos. So glad I have read it though.
May 31, 2020
This book is a must have if you regularly have that can't or don't want (for whatever reason to cook) either for yourself or your family. Its full of really quick and nutritious recipes that don't take too much prep but assures you that even though your mood is low, you won't be missing out on good nutrition which is needed. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Jack really should have her own cookery show. I don't enjoy cooking but there's something warm and comforting reading her narrative of her recipes that gently tells me that I can do it. Hey!, I might even try baked oats one day. She's a bit like a Southend Nigella! ( Btw, I live in the Southend area)
June 7, 2020
Review will be live on 11/6/20
I'd like to start off this review by giving a huge thank you to the publisher for allowing me to have the opportunity to review an eBook copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Jack Monroe and have all of her other books, so I'm incredibly happy and thankful for this opportunity.
So far, I have made two of the dishes featured in this book. I love how simple Jack's recipes are, and it's a huge bonus that they are good for you and don't cost huge amounts. As a single parent I like to be able to feed my children well, and for a low cost. - which often doesn't happen with other cookbooks.
We have currently made Cheese and Oregano Rusks and Orange and Blueberry Oat Bars from the book, and are really looking forwards to trying the Five-a-Day Couscous and the Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding.
Another fantastic family, budget and health friendly read from Jack!
I'd like to start off this review by giving a huge thank you to the publisher for allowing me to have the opportunity to review an eBook copy of this book. I am a huge fan of Jack Monroe and have all of her other books, so I'm incredibly happy and thankful for this opportunity.
So far, I have made two of the dishes featured in this book. I love how simple Jack's recipes are, and it's a huge bonus that they are good for you and don't cost huge amounts. As a single parent I like to be able to feed my children well, and for a low cost. - which often doesn't happen with other cookbooks.
We have currently made Cheese and Oregano Rusks and Orange and Blueberry Oat Bars from the book, and are really looking forwards to trying the Five-a-Day Couscous and the Jaffa Cake Mug Pudding.
Another fantastic family, budget and health friendly read from Jack!
June 13, 2020
This is a really lovely and helpful book. Anyone who has had mental health issues knows the struggle to make/have something to eat. And something that's good for you and going to help you feel better at that. This book has comfort food, nutritious food, and recipes so simple they are hardly recipes (I mean that in the best possible way). This book will help you to nourish yourself when all you want to do is hide in your bed. It will also give you ideas for some simple everyday recipes that you can cook again and again! Highly recommended!
July 1, 2020
Good Food for Bad Days by Jack Monroe is a recipe book to try and help make food for when you are feeling poorly or mentally unwell. The recipes seem easy enough to follow although some of the ingredients seem a little frivolous for what they are for! Also the amount of ingredients for some of the recipes are a lot, I feel you can get the same recipe for less. Personally I probably wouldn’t buy this book as none of these recipes speak to me for when I’m feeling down or upset. It is a lovely book despite that.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this.
July 28, 2020
Finally sat down n read this today even though I've had it since release.
As usual this has all sorts of recipes that I want to cook n try as is usual with Jack's books :)
We had cacio e pepe for a quick tea tonight n it was good. Although I cooked the pasta in a chicken Oxo cube to change the recipe a bit. It was yummy and went down well with daughter too.
Lots of unpretentious recipes for everyday cooking when your not feeling your best.
A great addition to my huge recipe book collection and jacks books are actually used :)
As usual this has all sorts of recipes that I want to cook n try as is usual with Jack's books :)
We had cacio e pepe for a quick tea tonight n it was good. Although I cooked the pasta in a chicken Oxo cube to change the recipe a bit. It was yummy and went down well with daughter too.
Lots of unpretentious recipes for everyday cooking when your not feeling your best.
A great addition to my huge recipe book collection and jacks books are actually used :)
May 24, 2020
This book is slightly different to Jack’s other books, it’s not a budget book for one and is slightly more luxurious. Many of the recipes remind me of stuff my mum made when I was a kid when she was short on time, but big on love and experimentation with slightly unusual combinations. I’m not ashamed to say that I made the Marmite, peanut butter and honey popcorn pretty much right after I read the recipe. All the food in this book sounds amazing, I will be trying more recipes.
July 26, 2020
Like most things Jack does, you show up for an easy recipe but you stay for the awesome woman behind it all. This book is filled with the sort of warmth and unflinching honesty and camaraderie that everyone needs on bad days. Not every recipe is my thing, comfort food is such a personal thing, but I'll be giving many of them a try and reading about the inspiration behind each recipe was a joy even when it's not something I'm likely to cook myself.
May 31, 2020
What a fab idea for a book! And I loved the intro to the book. Very honest from Jack. Also loved the chapter intros too! Some great, simple, and original recipes to try. Really like the way this book is laid out.
The only thing that bothered me was that some of the illustrations were repeated throughout. When this book is only 120-or-so pages long, I don’t think that’s too great!
The only thing that bothered me was that some of the illustrations were repeated throughout. When this book is only 120-or-so pages long, I don’t think that’s too great!
June 1, 2020
Mouthwatering!
Another fabulous book from Jack Monroe. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, using the sort of ingredients found in most store cupboards. I don’t think there is one recipe that I don’t want to try. I also founds Jack’s honesty about her physical and mental health struck a chord with me and added to my appreciation of the book. Thanks Jack!
Another fabulous book from Jack Monroe. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, using the sort of ingredients found in most store cupboards. I don’t think there is one recipe that I don’t want to try. I also founds Jack’s honesty about her physical and mental health struck a chord with me and added to my appreciation of the book. Thanks Jack!
December 29, 2020
Yes, this is a cookbook, but it's way more than simply a cookbook. Nutrition is important - very important - for everyone. But learning why good nutrition matters when you suffer from depression can help you to ensure that you make the effort required to take care of yourself when your need is greatest.
I learned a lot from this book, despite thinking there was little about nutrition that this layperson had left to learn.
I learned a lot from this book, despite thinking there was little about nutrition that this layperson had left to learn.
August 31, 2021
I have to give this three stars - I might rate it different if I lived in the UK, but for me in the US some of these ingredients aren't exactly comfort food. I also found that several of the recipes have too many steps and ingredients for a "bad day". Still, there were a few that were just a little different from my usual fair that I might try if I'm feeling adventurous.
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