This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for my affiliate disclosure. If you purchase items through my affiliate links, I receive a small commission but your price doesn't change.
If you’ve purchased one of my cookbooks through my website, I’d love to hear your review! Just leave a comment below with your honest opinion. All comments are held for approval, but I will publish both positive and negative reviews as long as they are done tastefully. If you purchased the book from Amazon, please leave me an Amazon review instead of (or in addition to) reviews left on this page. This will help my book’s ranking on Amazon. Thank you so much!
If you make recipes from the book, I’d love if you would post pictures of the food and a page number to social media! (Please refrain from posting the recipe itself.)
P.S. – This page is not for questions, only reviews. Answers to cookbook FAQs are given on this page, so check there first. If you don’t see your question answered, feel free to contact me via this contact form.
P.P.S. – If you’ve found any kind of mistakes in the book, please let me know via this contact form so I can fix them in future editions!
Elaine Horning says
My favorite cookbook. Necessary Food.
Tammy Aul says
I received my cookbook yesterday. All I can say is WOW! This is the nicest, most organized and easy to follow cookbook I have ever bought! I was surprised how big it was too. It is over 400 pages!
Thank you Briana!
Iraida says
Fantastic book!
this book is very well organized and very easy to follow. I love the recipes because they are very tasty but very healthy. It has a great variety of desserts that the whole family will love.My favorites, milkshakes. The book is in full color. Thanks Briana for the opportunity.
Michelle Ravizza says
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but this book is gorgeous! Easy to read recipes, lovely pictures and all of it wonderfully indexed! (yes, I am just a little OCD so I enjoy a good index!!) Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into this book. I immediately began reading it as soon as it arrived and like any good read, couldn’t put it downYour love of cooking shines through and I am motivated to start preparing your wonderful recipes. In fact, I’m off to make one now…..where to begin??????
Kelli says
Still waiting for my cookbook to arrive and after reading all these raving reviews, being patient for it feels like torture, lol!!! I hope it arrives soon ?
Mary Esther says
Briana, your cookbook is EXCEPTIONAL! I hope your future cookbooks will be the same ~ sturdy cover, spiral binding, quality paper, great directions and beautiful photography! The scripture verses and quotes are a wonderful bonus! Thank you for all your hard work!
Ashley Connelly says
I’ve been SO excited to receive this and have watched the usps updates to know when it was arriving (I may have stalked my mailbox). This cookbook is even more gorgeous and fabulous than I expected. It’s hard cover, spiral binding and beautiful photos (of every recipe) are amazing. The mix of recipes are wonderful and diverse, just what I wanted. Briana is so personal and encouraging with her writing that it’s like having a friend right there in the kitchen 😉 I can’t say enough good things about this cookbook. It’s worth every penny and I will be recommending it to my friends and family. I have the thm cookbook also, which I love and both are a great tool and resource. Thanks Briana! Can’t wait for your next cookbook! I’ll be on the preorder lis! 😉
Darla says
I love your cookbook!! The recipes are simple, use mostly common easy to get ingredients, and everything I’ve tried has been absolutely delicious!! We especially love your many ice cream variations! We don’t use much dairy so I replace the whipping cream and cottage cheese with Coconut cream, which is available through amazon for a very reasonable price. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this beautiful book!
Mrs VK says
Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this book! Not only is it beautiful to look at ~ so nicely designed ~ that my baby (18 months) enjoys looking at it and patting his tummy saying “MMMMM!” but it is also easy enough to follow that my 9 year old can turn out good results (and she is just starting in the kitchen). And the pictures are wonderful! A good cookbook is one with pictures I always think. The cookbook itself is very well made as well, and I am very happy with its sturdiness ~ it would make a beautiful gift.
Megan Lorenzen says
I received my cookbook earlier this week and have been entranced by it ever since. I can’t wait to try every single recipe! It has renewed my interest and determination to eat a healthier, THM lifestyle. The book covers all the “comfort food” basics, as well as some interesting new ideas. I LOVE all the honest commentary and side details, including substitutions. It increases my confidence in trying new things and even experimenting a bit on my own. Well done on a beautiful labor of love! I’ve already ordered 3 more to give as gifts. 🙂
Darlene says
I received your beautiful new cookbook today and wow! I knew it would be good based on all the glowing reviews, but it is even more impressive than I imagined. This really is the motivation I need to not only start cooking, but cook healthy. I’m so excited to get started and thankyou for sharing your hard work. BTW, this isn’t any reflection on you, but when I received the package, the box was completely open on the end, but the good news is the book was in perfect condition. I thought you would want to let your shipper know about the problem to prevent future damage or loss.
Kathy Wilson says
Briana, I live in South Arkansas and as you can imagine, good ole country food is everywhere. I have been following you for awhile now here on your blog (and I love it) and was tickled to death that you were doing a cook book. I finally got the chance to order it and OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I am so excited! You did a fabulous job! I sat and read every single page. I love how you incorporated scripture in the book as well as your thoughts on your recipes. I immediately called my sister and told her to order your book ASAP. I am so excited to make my menu for the week. My husband is going to eat it whether he wants to or not. LOL . Keep doing what you are doing and living for the Lord.
Jeanette says
My sister just got me your cookbook for my birthday and I love it! I’m currently at 25 lb lost on thm and I’m looking forward to losing some more/maintaining my loss with your amazing recipes. By far superior to the other “thm” cookbooks I have! Thank you!
Melissa and Barry says
Just started THM with a few others and it’s certainly been a learning curve. Our friend suggested some of your recipes and we just decided to get the book after hearing so many positive reviews.
We love the book, it’s so well done and the recipes actually taste good 🙂 we’ve tried many from another book that have not been very tasty at all but every one we have tried from your book has been a pleasant surprise of great food 🙂 We are so thankful God has given you this desire for good food and to help others wanting the same goal.
The only thing we wish it included was the THM meal codes like E, S fuel pull etc. However I’m sure it’s a copyright thing but it does make it difficult for us new starters.
Overall we enjoy the book very much, I also love ice cream and can’t wait to get started on those recipes 🙂
God Bless
Sarah says
I received my cookbook a few weeks ago. I LOVE IT! I went ahead and purchased a countertop ice cream maker and have been trying ice cream recipes. Thank you for your hard work to make our lives easier.
Katie McReynolds says
Even though I bought my book from Amazon, I’ve got to share my review here because I just love it so much.
Y’all- I CAN NOT EVEN say enough good things about Briana’s cookbook. If you’re a THM with a fairly picky family like mine, some of the recipes you find for good, wholesome THM meals may turn your crew off but THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS. It’s full of traditional, homecooked meals using methods and ingredients that are staples in ordinary homes. Don’t get me wrong- I’m a gigantic fan the THM cookbook- but my more selective husband and children haven’t loved all their recipes as much as I have. Briana’s book is well written, beautifully photographed and indexed/organized in a way that helps you search by either the fuel OR recipe that you’re looking for. It’s an amazing accompaniment to the THM cookbook and it’ll be used in my kitchen for years to come. Thanks for all your hard work, Briana!!
Patti says
I enjoy the cookbook so much that I bought 2 extra copies to give as gifts. My favorite recipes are the breakfast-type dishes; but everything that I have tried has been great!
Nicci Hilsinger says
This cookbook is well worth the money! Such a deal for a beautiful and complete collection of THM meals! Briana did a great job! I love the quotes and scripture throughout! I have made so much so far. I went through and put a little sticky note on each page I want to try sooner than later.
Her family fair is definitely different that what I am used to (mostly italian cooking) so a few of the recipes aren’t really interesting to me but that is literally only a few out of the hundreds! Such a great book, such a blessing. Just get it already!
Margaret Semenov says
I have so enjoyed your cookbook. I even read the whole beginning and enjoyed seeing your heart. My kids have loved everything I’ve tried. I love that the recipes are filled with ingredients I already have in my kitchen. We have had a lot of fun with our new ice cream maker. Thanks for your efforts and I look forward to your next book 🙂
Gayle Clement says
This beautifully bound and illustrated cookbook is an amazing value. Briana Thomas fills an important niche in healthy food cooking. She provides many recipes for family desserts from cookies to cakes to ice cream. Her emphasis is on affordable, practical ingredients. I have followed Briana’s recipes online for the last two years and now I am delighted to have a hard-covered cookbook.
Sara Sample says
Just received my cookbook, it IS beautifully done and has lots of yummy recipes.
That being said, I am very disappointed, maybe I was expecting it to be “more”
explainable in a THM way, like the recipes would be identified as an “E” or an “S”
etc… I do understand that maybe you can’t do this, as that is proprietary of just
the Mamas, but for the same cost, I would have gotten the Mamas cookbook
I would not have bought this cookbook, if I had known. Expensive lesson learned,
but I hope someone else can learn from this. Bummer:(
homeschooling6 says
I live a low glycemic lifestyle and was so thrilled to find Briana’s cookbook. I have visited her site before and printed many recipes but many times the recipe gets lost because I didn’t put it in a binder. Now I have her beautiful book and love it. It has lots of pictures and the spiral bound with the hard cover is very sturdy. I made a peek inside video and share the translation of fuels as well. Take a peek inside this awesome cookbook! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3J-hueJmc0
Melissa and Barry says
I checked your video hoping to find which of the 5 groups listed In the book were in the S, E, fuel pull etc. Category but it was not in the video. Do you have another one not listed?
Thanks for your time
Briana Thomas says
Healthy Fats = S
Healthy Carbs = E
Foundation Fats = Deep S
Low Carb/Low Fat = FP
Healthy Carbs & Healthy Fats = Crossover
Melissa and Barry says
Thank you so much for your help ?
Laura says
I can easily see how much hard work went in to bringing this cookbook to press. There are so many great food categories with pictures too! There are a lot of family favorites made new for THM followers. Yay!! The indexes are super helpful. It will take a while to adapt to the different labeling of meal types but it will come. The spiral binding is so helpful with a cover that is easy to clean. Thanks for all the ways you made your book so helpful and special Briana. 🙂
Erika says
I have posted a review and GIVEAWAY of this beautiful cookbook on talesofhome.com!
Heather says
Great cook book Briana! One thing we had noticed, and thought you might want to know for printing more cook books is that page 54 is in 2 times.
Thanks for all you did!
Briana Thomas says
Hi Heather! I just checked multiple copies that I have around the house here and none of them have multiple page 54s. Your copy must’ve gotten an extra page. I’m sorry about that! If it bugs you, you should be able to rip it out fairly easily since the book is spiral-bound. 🙂
Judy says
Also, two things I forgot to mention. I love the labels on the edges of the pages…makes it so easy to flip through to the categories. Also, HUGE thanks on suggesting some sides to go with the main dishes. Rounding out a meal seems to be my biggest challenge in meal planning. Thank you!
Judy says
Bravo on your first cookbook, Briana! I had my first full day of cooking from your book. Meals, snacks, and bread…all from the book. I love the large spiral (compliments to all the wonderful individuals who did the hand-spiral-binding. I found everything to be so logically laid out…the indices, the instructions, the very handy tips…your thoroughness and focus on making sure a novice could use this is impressive. And the pictures…when everything I made today came out looking like your pictures, I wanted to cheer! Your pictures represented the recipes well, and the cookbook is beautiful. Your hard work is appreciated! (Also loved the foreward ?) Well done!
Sarah Wiley says
Years ago I gave away all of my cookbooks and stopped buying anymore. That changed when this cookbook came out. I knew I had to have it and I have not regretted that decision even once! Love it!!
Deann says
My book finally arrived today! The book is beautiful. I like how the recipes are organized and the indices are quite helpful. I love the one with foods organized by fuel type. I appreciate the addition of extra information, such as the gelatin experiment and ice cream tips. Briana’s recipes are delicious and simple to prepare. My kids are already bookmarking more foods to try.
We unfortunately had multiple shipping issues between the printer and the post office. Overall it took 40 days to get here, and was an extremely frustrating process. I’d hesitate to order directly from the publisher again. But it’s finally here, we already made two recipes in the few short hours we’ve had the book, and we can’t wait to use it again tomorrow!
Edie Kemp says
This cookbook is 1 of those “must haves” if you are trying to balance blood sugar and be healthier. Thanks Briana for a great guidebook as well as cookbook. I love this book!!
Karleen says
Love this cook book! It is set up nicely and very easy to find things. I really like that it is spiral bound. I gave one to my sister for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. Thank you Briana, for putting this together. I have fallowed you on Pinterest for some time now. I love that I am now able to pick up a book and find your recipe’s so easy. 🙂
Sandy S. says
First of all I was impressed how quickly the cookbook shipped out & arrived well packaged. Second, I absolutely love the Spiral Bound way of the book. It flips & opens so awesomely. I love your explanation and reasoning behind the use of different flours, sweeteners, of not using spray…. etc. I feel like I’m learning along with enjoying the outcomes. I also appreciate you listing the brands you use or when it’s not important, or the frugal or important reason to use a specific brand. I made your baking blend & bread as my first achievement and it’s beautiful. Everything I’ve read so far has so much thought, that I can tell you really made, tweaked, re-made & made each recipe to perfection. I’d always be interested in more Main Dish ideas, but I am really enjoying and honestly, quite surprised and impressed with how much I’m enjoying your cookbook. It’s WELL DONE! Thank you!
Mary says
Fun to read family cookbook with many gluten-free recipes. The really lovely color photos provide us the inspiration to try some of these fresh ideas, and the instructions are simple and clear. Yes, you could probably find most of the recipes on the blog, but this organized collection makes it so convenient. Highly recommended!
Tami says
Brianna, your cookbook is beautiful! We’ve made Single Serve Cookie Dough Ice Cream and your “Red Lobster” biscuits. They were wonderful! Looking forward to diving into more recipes! Congratulations on a job well done!!
Anita says
The raves are not wrong – this is a wonderful cookbook – photos are beautiful, directions are clear; and I LOVE the index options! I would have been happy with the two choices of index at the back of the book, but I was ecstatic when I found the indices at the beginning of each section – wonderful!!
I was concerned about the fact that the THM indicators would be missing; I thought I might need to ‘re-label’ them. But I found that the categories you used for the various fuel types are VERY intuitive! I used to do ‘SomerSizing’ which has similar designations. I guess I’ve actually been translating THM into SS in my brain without realizing it, so this works perfectly for me.
Hard to find any suggestion at all for improvements! Maybe a bit more on the sides/veggies or main dishes; but, honestly, it’s the ‘extras’ I usually turn to a cookbook for, and this is the book I will turn to!
Thank you!!
Lois Sollenberger says
I made the bread–and my first attempt was a complete fail–totally my fault for mis-reading. But my second attempt turned out great. One caution–I was shocked to see it said to use VERY hot water with the yeast–I find that very dangerous to killing the yeast! I don’t think it’s good to tell people that since I know in my case if I’d used my hottest tap water, my yeast definitely would have been killed. I usually go by body temperature for proofing yeast. Just a cautiln
Mandy says
This cookbook is so great! There are tons of yummy recepies. I have tried a few so far that have been great! I’m looking forward to trying so many more. Totally worth the purchase. I preordered this time & am so glad I did, will definitely preorder in the future as well.
Donna says
I love ur recipes. I have been following ur posts and I tried many of your recipes, and was very excited about your cookbook. I love the cook book, it is very well done. I am so glad I purchased it and I am looking forward to trying a lot more of your recipes. Thank you, I know it was a huge job!,
Shannon Larson says
I was so excited to receive my cookbook! The recipes are fantastic and I will definitely be recommending it to my friends 🙂 Well done Briana!
Betty Renicker says
Very nice cookbook. The recipes are great! My cookbook had been dropped out of the box and was a little scratched up on the front. Unfortunately, the spiral moves and comes out of the outer hole when I open the book. I read the reviews and didn’t see this same problems with others. The recipes are great and I can tell you spent a great deal of time on it,
Briana Thomas says
Hi Betty! I just emailed you to take care of this. Damage during shipping is definitely something the distributor will stand good for. 🙂 If anyone needs to get ahold of the distributor to fix an issue like this, they can be reached by emailing [email protected] or calling p. 1.877.442.6657 during business hours.
Jessy says
Briana,
You have done a very good job with this cookbook. I loved it from the moment I got it in the mail. I have been to your site several times over the past couple of years, and I was so excited when I heard about the cookbook coming out. You out did yourself with the recipes you put into this book. I got this book for me, but my family has been trying to do the THM thing with me for 2 years off and on. Unfortunately, they didn’t like some of the THM recipes, and I have all 3 books. I have found that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, that I have made this week, they have liked. Thank you so much for putting all in one place for me to go. I like having the book and not having to put my computer on the counter in the kitchen. Briana, you totally rock !!!!! Thank you very much for such a great cookbook.
Jessica Sharp says
I just got the cookbook recently and I have been enjoying all of the smoothie, shake, drinks, and ice cream recipes! Why just those? Well I just got my wisdom teeth out! All the recipes I have tried are amazing! The pictures are great and the directions are easy to follow! I can’t wait for when I can chew food again to try some of the other recipes that look so good in the pictures! I love the combination of some of Briana’s website recipes and new ones! I totally recommend this book!
Tiff Rule says
I got the cookbook for Christmas and I was able to savor reading through it during this time of rest. The scriptures peppered throughout it are lovely. I can give this cookbook to a seeker or a colleague at work and share Christ. In parts of Boston there are fewer Christians per square mile than in China where Christianity is not legal… I’d love to see more entrees that can be used for family meals next time. The ginger snap molassess ice cream was the best ice cream I have ever had. It’s so nice to have recipes that will keep me trim… We are getting a snow storm today in MA and I don’t have to go to work (Saturday veterinarian’s day off — I only get a few a year) so I’ll be making a bunch of things from your cookbook to prepare for the week and some to freeze ahead. My boys are taking a photography class from a professional at our homeschool co op and they saw your photos and gasped at how well done they all were. This is not typical of my teen boys to notice things like this… finally, God gave us a much prayed for late life baby after taking 5 of them back to heaven. I thought my little girl would have no friends her age. Well, not so, we are part of a church plant with lots of young moms! The “Instant Pot” is all the rage up here with the young mommas. Can I encourage you to get one and start making some family recipes in it? Having a baby at almost 43 is why I discovered THM and you! I am back to my wedding weight — important for my love life and better for my body as it ages to be lean. Your ice cream has allowed me to enjoy food again. You are a genius woman! Thank you for making the cookbook. Ready to write the next one???
Bridgette Robertson says
Such beautiful sentiments!! So true too!!
Mary Landis says
What an amazing book! I love all the pictures and the well done recipes. I am so much looking forward to trying many of them. Thanks for a job well done, Briana!
Glenda says
Great cookbook. Love the size and the lie flat pages that is fantastic. Now I can get rid of the ones I had printed from the site and were so small I had trouble reading. My only complaint is the lack of a THM key. I am still new to the whole plan, it seems to confuse me (some people seem to just get it) so when I looked at yours I am sure to some it is obvious, but not to me. I understand the trademark issue but this is what I was really looking for as your recipes are so much more up my alley then some from the THM cookbook. Thanks you did a great job, well worth the price. Also really like the quotes, they bring a smile to me as I’m cooking.
PS my bag was totally open as well surprised I even got the book, but I did and I am happy.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Glenda! I’ve emailed you with some helps for reading the fuel types. If anyone else would like help, please feel free to email me using the contact form here on my website. 🙂 https://www.briana-thomas.com/contact/
Sandy says
Got my book. Best Christmas gift I have ever given myself. Your style of cooking is what I was raised on. I have already flagged many recipes to try. Love that it has lots of pictures. That makes me want to try them. Thank you for making this lovely cook book. My teenage daughter is learning to cook in this healthy style and is already trying recipes. Great job
Andrea Price says
I love it so far!! Thanks so much, Brianna!
Bridgette Robertson says
Brianna you did it!! I love the pictures, the quotes, ideas, and especially the recipes! I have been on this THM journey for about seven months and my hubby has decided he wants in. However, he doesn’t like or tolerate a lot of ingredients. I have been racking my brain for how to make man meals that are in plan. I could not wait for your book to arrive. You did not let me down. I can’t wait to get started with all of your ideas and thank you for encouraging us to give our own shot at tweeting to our delight. Thank you for being apart of our journey and for rescuing my trim healthy man!! ❤??
Joanne says
Hi Briana
I have your cookbook for 1 week now and love it.!! I had preordered it and didn’t get it until Dec.27 hard on my patience but its all a dim memory now. Was glad to hear the packaging got changed as mine was a bit battered, who knows where all it was or had been through between OH and MO.. Thanks for sharing your talents Briana we are so blessed and will surely be too.
Terry says
FABULOUS cookbook! I ordered three back in the preorder days: one for my daughter, one for me, and one for friends who are THM newbies. In the words of my daughter, this cookbook has GREAT recipes, using SIMPLE ingredients, with just the right amount of WITTY BANTER. You out did yourself, Briana. And we love you for it. Thanks for giving to all of us who are doing our best to live a healthier lifestyle, and glorifying God with our whole bodies.
Eileen Sills says
I received an email notification that the book was shipped but then went away for Christmas. When I got home, the book was here! I love it. I am a Christian and it blessed me that in your life you put God first and live your life from there. The book is high quality, very well organized and from what I can tell a reflection of you! I was impressed with your style when visiting your website. I think this cookbook will be well used. I have spent hours over the past few days reading and looking. Thank you.
Sheryl Fernandes says
Ohh Brianna, my dear!!!!! You have certainly out-done yourself with this lovely cookbook!!!! Mine finally came yesterday and I can’t get over the great quality of the binding, how sturdy the covers and pages are, and the sheer amount of THM-friendly recipes to try! I have been on THM for over 2 years now and visit your blog frequently….it’s been the delightful variety of recipes you post and the yummy outcome of them that has kept me coming back again and again. And NOW I get to have your genius in book form on my kitchen counter to help me stay on-track and well fed! Thanks soooo much for all your hard work on this book….it’s easily worth double what I paid in the pre-order…can’t wait to explore it’s depths!
Esther says
Haven’t gotten to look at it all the way thru but browsed it & specifically looked for several items. Several things were disappointing:
~Font not as dark (&/or maybe something else(s) about the font that makes it harder for challenged or older eyes to read)
~I didn’t see an index with all the recipes by alphabetical order. The alphabetical order one is by type & then alphabetical order. I was looking for a certain thing & wasn’t sure what category you might’ve put it in that’s why I’d prefer the alphabetical to be ALL the recipes alphabetically. It was difficult to find that thing but finally did. Marked it now so I don’t have to go thru the long search again.
Thanks for all the recipes. Will be fun to try them as I get an opportunity.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Esther! The alphabetical index is a dual index, which means that it includes all the recipes as well as all the categories with all the recipes. For example it lists
Blueberry Frozen Yogurt
Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Poppy Seed Lemon Cake
BREADS, ROLLS, & MUFFINS
Apple Muffins
Blueberry Muffins
etc.
BREAKFAST
5 Ingredient Fruit Muesli
5 Ingredient Waffles & Pancakes
etc.
Then it goes back to listing recipes where it left off:
Breakfast Casserole
Brianafinger Bars
etc.
This way you can find either a recipe alphabetically if you already know its name, or you can easily find the category it’s in and look there. I hope this clears things up for you! 🙂
Esther says
Oh, I see! I had not caught that! THANKS SO MUCH for taking time to help me understand! Now that could be quite handy. 🙂 I look forward to using the cookbook. And hopefully I can get a chance to read what I’m expecting will be much helpful info & encouraging quotes.
Sandi says
Wow. That’s confusing. I was going to make a comment here about how it looks like there were two indices that got accidentally blended—but, it was on purpose.
Oh, well. I just turn to the section I want and basically scroll/thumb through until something catches my eye and then I check to see if I have enough of the ingredients that I can fudge my way through.
Anita says
I got a very brief, non-informative email on December 13, saying my cookbook was on the way.
I have still not received it!
The email gave no details, no way to track it – I don’t know where to begin to try to track it down!
Help!!!
Anita says
I should mention that I had pre-ordered the cookbook, and the email said I should expect it ‘within the next few days’. It appears that other pre-ordered cookbooks were received over 2 weeks ago.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Anita, thanks for responding to my email so we can get this taken care of. The holidays slowed down the mail quite a bit, but the distributor will stand good for any books lost or damaged in shipping.
Susan Bauer says
I have had my copy for 3 days and absolutely love it. Well organized, pictures are REAL, instructions are clear and THM friendly.
I do wish each recipe was labeled E, S, FP
Blessing on you Briana
Elsie Bauer says
We really, really are THRILLED with the organization and layout of the Necessary Food cookbook! It did not take long to recognize the Healthy Fats recipes equate to THM “S” meals and the Healthy Carbs recipes equate to the THM “E” meals; and the Low Carb/Low Fat recipes equate to the THM Fuel Pull (due to copyright laws, etc.).
When this cookbook first arrived I started flipping through it and spotted some recipes that I tried right away but didn’t take time to read some of your introductory pages or baking tips at the beginning. However, I have enjoyed spending some time reading through “This is Not a Foreword” and the “Ingredients/Baking Tips” sections in the last couple of days. It is SO helpful when you reference (in parentheses) the page number of another recipe in the book within a recipe!
I absolutely LOVE the organized Indexes in the back of the book! I have been excitedly sharing with friends how wonderful this cookbook is! Thank you so much for taking the time to organize it!
Becky Larson says
This cookbook is amazing! Huge! All kinds of nifty colored tabs and indexes that help find recipe types VERY easily! Love the way it is laid out! You did an awesome job, Briana and I love your recipes! Thank You!
Beverly says
Loving this cookbook. I have been using some of your recipes from your website for a few months now and finally I can get rid of all the loose pages lying around and just focus on using this beautiful book. I love that I can stand the book on my windowsill, easily follow the recipe, and avoid spills on the pages. I like the pictures, Briana. I know you commented that you thought some lacked quality but I really think you did an awesome job! Thank you for all your hard work. This book will help me keep on the THM healthy lifestyle. I have not had any issues with any of the recipes. My only comment though would be concerning your ingredients listed in ounces (cream cheese for example). Being Canadian, all of our products are in metric so I do a lot of converting but even this is getting easier. Final comment: This is good food and would highly recommend your book. The price is very reasonable for the quality!
Carol says
So beautiful and delicious! I can’t wait to try more of the recipes. I’ve already tried several from your blog. Thank you for sharing your gift of recipe creation and your heart with all of us. You are truly a blessing!
Cyndy says
This cookbook is beautiful! I have tried several of the recipes and have enjoyed each one. This is a true help for varying meals. Your recipes are easy to follow, easy ingredients, and please even picky eaters.
Rita says
This is a gorgeous cookbook as others have said and the thought that went into creating it is apparent. I truly appreciate the recipe names that make intuitive sense so I can find what I am looking for if I think of a recipe I want to make. But I want to talk about the food and not the book itself.
I grew up eating this sort of food the original way and have been slowly trying out some recipes. My mom’s Aunt Barbray’s meatloaf recipe is still my favorite but I tried your mom’s meatloaf. I’ve tried almost all the ice creams and the peanut butter ice cream is probably my favorite. And strawberry but you cannot go wrong with strawberry. Or peanut butter. I did not care for the ‘cookie crumbs’ in the cookie dough ice cream and will likely tweak those a bit to make them more cookie like according to my palate.
I want to eat cranberries but I hate them so I tried the cranberry wassail (surprisingly good) and the cranberry covered chocolates (good as far as cranberries go but they are still cranberries so you didn’t change my mind on those). I have your truffle fudge marked to try. I made the buckeyes and boy! Your buckeyes were not nearly as sweet as the buckeyes I am used to making. I wondered if there was a typo in that recipe in fact because I had to add a LOT of sweetener to the peanut filling to make it approximate the taste. But with that said–they were very good. Not the same (and I appreciate that you say that over and over) but good. I have already been a fan of the blueberry overnight baked oatmeal and still am.
Overall, I had one disappointment and I imagine it cannot be helped unless it was a crossover and that is just no good. I have memories of my Mom making no bake oatmeal cookies (with peanut butter and oatmeal) and my big sister breaking off pieces and saying she found a ‘loose one’ and me thinking that when I grew up I would find loose ones that same way too. So I kept looking. I was hopeful to find a version of those when I saw some protein bars made with coconut instead of oatmeal but it was not to be. I have not tried your ‘delights’ but the delight recipes in the “other” Mennonite THM cookbook are fabulous.
I think what I like best about your cookbook is that these are familiar foods from my childhood and so they are comforting to me. The idea that we can eat old favorites and yet lose or maintain weight is just amazing to me. I love that. Thanks so much for doing this and please figure out how to make those no bake cookies. Before book 2 please. ?
Michelle says
Dear sweet Bree-ah-nah–
You have REALLY raised the bar on cookbooks!! Wow!!! Just received my two books this past week: one for me and one for my mother-in-love, who is also on her journey to being a Trim Healthy (Grand)Mama–we are both so excited, and several of my kiddos (especially my Trim Healthy Teens) are chompin’ at the bit to try practically everything. :o) The format is beautiful and supremely functional (love, love, love the spiral binding and hard covers!!), and the recipes look absolutely stunning–you and the folks at Carlisle did an amazing job. I am blessed by all the Bible verses and quotes (uplifting encouragement on almost every page!), the recipe notes are fantastic, and the organization/indexing is very good. I really like your alternative fuel names, and I especially appreciate the separate labeling for “Foundation Fats”–so helpful when specifically targeting Deep S choices.
If this was your “first born”, I hope you have a very large family! *grin*
Big hugs and God’s abundant blessings to you and your family.
Karen says
I have made several recipes so far and they are all a hit! So happy 🙂 My Mom is visiting and she is slowly starting THM she was so thrilled with the book she wants to order her own copy!
cathy bowman says
Its a beautiful book and I have spent the last 2 weeks going thru and marking the recipes I know my husband and I will enjoy,
Ann werner says
Briana,
My replacement cookbook arrived today ahead of scheduled boxed this time. And now I understand why. This is a gorgeous cookbook. I am not an expert since I just started cooking when I retired and started THM so yours is only the third one after THM that I own but it is so well laid out and now I won’t have to use my iPad to print out your recipes. Well I guess if there are new ones.
I love your recipes and I can’t wait to try some new ones. I do appreciate pictures since I am a very visual person. So many recipes I haven’t tried because I scan looking at pics elsewhere. You put a lot of time and effort into this book and it shows.
Thank you
DH says
This may be the most beautiful cookbook I’ve ever seen. I love everything about it. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes. Those that I’ve tried so far from your site have been fantastic.
ANITA says
I Love my New cookbook. I have only made 1 recipe so far but am anxious to try them all. Thank -You Brianna for publishing such an awesome cookbook.
Emma Flournoy says
This is an awesome cookbook.
The spiral bound format is so good; I hate it when my books won’t stay open. Also the recipe format—so organized and in order. *huge thumbs up*
There are so many pictures, and I LOVE seeing pictures of the recipes I’ll be making. Reference, ya know. And incentive. 😉 Not to mention food pictures are just nice.
Tons of those recipes look SO delicious! Especially in the shake section and ice cream section…and ALL the dessert sections, but anyway. (All the peanut butter and chocolate stuff, seriously.)
And I love love love the quotes scattered throughout—seriously love ’em. Good quotes are something I adore.
Also the way the recipes don’t sound completely like they were written by a robot is nice. I love personality. 😛
I did have a few cons; and…*peeks behind fingers* it makes me feel kinda guilty ’cause not many others here did. But you said ‘honest review’, and being dishonest even just through omission hurts my conscience. (OF COURSE.) Sooo, here we go. Maybe some of these aren’t too important, but I feel obligated to list them. I know you won’t be offended since you asked for honest opinion. 😀 It’s just hard, though…telling people you like something of their’s you don’t. *crickets* Okay, moving on.
Before I came and read through the reviews I was going to say the thing about S and E and etc. labeling, but as I’ve seen your explanation for that never mind. It doesn’t seem to me like that should be, since you wouldn’t be making any profit by calling them the THM labels they are…but I guess you know the technicalities. 😛
Another thing is, I’d have liked more Es…especially breakfast ones. All the oatmeals looked YUM, but it’d be nice to have a few more muffins or breads or that kinda thing that were E. I can hardly blame you though since a variety of yummy Es is pretty hard to come up with.
And with the savory E recipes, most of them were Mexican-ish looking, which I don’t really love. *shrug*
With the Bible verses (and maybe some of the quotes), the ‘He’ and ‘Thou’ and ‘Him’ etc. referring to God weren’t always capitalized. I find that in published works everywhere, not just yours, but I think those are always supposed to be capitalized.
Another thing with the quotes which doesn’t terribly bother me but which looks a little odd and I thought you might like to prevent in the future—sometimes the descenders from the letters on the top line run in with the tops of the letters in the next line.
(I don’t know if I should’ve put that part or the one above it in a separate message about cookbook mistakes…I’m sorry if I should’ve. *uncomfortable expression*)
And the meals in each section weren’t organized according to category. They had their fuel label on them all right, but all the recipes of the same fuel category weren’t together; just randomly put throughout each section. I know you have them fuel organized in the back of the book, where you can look up the ones of which fuel you want, but it would be nice to have them organized IN the recipe sections.
Welp, there you go. It is an awesome cookbook with a few things that I’d like different. I will never have enough time to make all the recipes I want when I want. 😛 YUM!
I really hope this isn’t too long a post…I…hope it’s not too long. Yeah. I felt like I should say all that though, so…
Thanks so much for all the hard work and time you spent on this cookbook, Briana. God bless you. 🙂
Briana Thomas says
Thank you so much, Emma! That’s the exact kind of review I like to hear! Gives me ideas for the next one. 😉 You have very valid points, and actually quite a few of those things were things I thought of myself and intend to change in the next book (which I hope to design myself). It’s a little hard to explain to someone else how you want a book designed, and all the back-and-forth communication takes so much time! That’s why I let a few little things slide, like the letters in the quotes overlapping in spots. It bothered me too…. As for the non-capitalized personal pronouns referring to God in the Bible verses used in the book, my KJV Bible doesn’t capitalize them so I chose to not capitalize them in the book either. However, in my own writing I always capitalize them, so you’ll probably actually see a mixture of capitalized and non-capitalized personal pronouns in the book depending on the source of the quotation. I think it’s so cool that you noticed that, because I notice those kinds of things too. I usually have a method to my madness, whether that method makes sense to anyone else or not…haha. As for the organization of meals in the Main Dishes section, I actually tried to group them by method of preparation as well as protein source (i.e. all the chicken oven dishes, all the beef oven dishes, all the grilled chicken dishes, all the grilled beef dishes, etc.) because that’s how I usually look for recipes first. I’ll keep your suggestion in mind for the future though. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comprehensive review; I really appreciate it!
Emma Flournoy says
Oh yay! I’m so glad it was helpful.
I hadn’t noticed that about the Main Dish categorization, but it does make sense. 🙂
And this is great: ‘I usually have a method to my madness, whether that method makes sense to anyone else or not…haha.’
I know exactly what you mean. 😀
Merry Christmas. 🙂
Cheryl L Owczarek says
Just paging thru my newest cookbook . . . Necessary Food . . . and it is FANTASTIC! If you like eating healthy, or need to make that your goal for the new year – this is the cookbook for you! Quality covers, strong spiral binding, sharp color photos, clear instructions – all in typical ‘Briana’ style! You won’t regret this purchase.
ONE NOTE: the packing could use some reinforcement – my mailer was ripped down both sides, and only intact on the ends – I have no idea how the cookbook stayed inside in perfect condition! Must be a long road to Minnesota! My post office taped up the sides and stamped it ‘received in damaged condition.’ Thanks goodness the cookbook itself was pristine!
Thanks for all your hard work, ‘Bree-ahh-na’ – yes, I DID read the Forward! Nicely done – loved getting to know you better. 🙂
Briana Thomas says
Aw, thank you, Cheryl! The packaging has been changed now and all orders are going out in sturdy cardboard boxes. I’m so glad your book was OK!
Mari-Lou Paul says
Lots of yummy looking recipes that I can’t wait to try! Love that the book is spiral bound, will make it so much easier to use in a kitchen with very little counter space.
Johanna (Jo-ha-nuh) says
Bri-ah-nuh :.) , You did great! High fives all around! I love this book. I just received it this week. Eggless Coffee Cake Smash was a hit with my picky eater who is reluctant to try recipes like this that will friendlier to her sensitive system. I love that it is spiral-bound with a hard cover. I love that you put suggestions to sides in your main dish recipes. Your writing is like you are right in the kitchen with us, making this THM lifestyle easier and more fun. My daughter is inspired that you are a woman of God who has a talent, work hard to hone it, and use it to help others, giving Him all the credit. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Dorene says
I love this cookbook! Everything I made so far was delicious! Especially the Everything Cookies! Thank you Briana!
Dianne Cozart says
I received your cookbook, and oh my, was I excited! The book itself is just beautiful and easy to handle and read. I really like how it is organized. I can hardly wait to start using it today! Thank you for all you do for “us”, especially me!
Missy Stevens says
I just got this book in the mail today and I am so pleased! (It is an early birthday gift from my husband!) I love the quality of the book (the cover, binding, pages, etc.) I am somewhat hard on cookbooks, and I think this will stand up to my occasional spills and swipes. I CANNOT wait to try these recipes. The pictures are great, the notes and tips seem very helpful. All in all, I am so excited and very pleased and would recommend this cookbook to anyone following a low glycemic diet.
Sarah says
Dearest Bree-ah-nah 😉
I received my cookbook yesterday, and I absolutely LOVE it!! I love all the beautiful pictures, the wonderful index, the way it is bound, your baking/cooking insight, and most of all, I love how you have woven scripture and great quotes throughout the book! It’s wonderful to be reminded of God’s word when I’m cooking, baking, or just browsing! Love, love, love!
Thank you SO much for your labor of love!
Wishing you more of God’s blessings,
Sarah
Kami Belmont says
This cookbook is BEAUTIFUL, and I am loving it already. I know it was truly a labor of love, and it shows so much of Briana’s personality! (Even though I’ve never met her personally, I was honestly chuckling out loud to myself with some of the silly comments she made for the descriptions of each recipe. So many personal touches!) I cannot WAIT to try the recipes that fill this beautiful book! I, too, am a Southern girl, and I have definitely missed the “old days” of sausage gravy, biscuits, and fried okra. How exciting to experiment with these old favorites again! Thank you a million times over for the effort, creativity, and endless hours you put into creating this masterpiece, Briana!
Mary Jederberg says
Just got my copy and the food looks amazing! I can’t wait to start cooking!
Dottie Parton says
I got home from work yesterday to find my new cookbook waiting for me! It is beautifully done and I can’t to try the recipes! I love how the layout and how easy it is to follow. So excited! Excellent book, beyond my high expectations!
Louise says
Just received my copy of your cookbook and love it! Looking thru it now and can’t wait to spend time trying some of your recipes. I have already tried several from your blog post and Pinterest! Thanks so much for doing all the work for us so we can eat sweet treats and stay healthy! Lol Merry Christmas!
Lauralee says
I had sooo many briana-thomas.com recipes printed out, it is soooo nice to have an organized, bound book of these wonderful recipes! I was also pleasantly surprised at the enormous quantity of savory recipes. So many delicious ideas! I’m a serious cheapskate but this cookbook is WELL worth the price!
Janelle Burkholder says
I came to the computer to post my review of THE COOKBOOK, but after scanning a bunch of the reviews already posted, I’m not sure what more can be said! So “Ditto” to all those other people who said it is wonderful, beautiful, excellent quality, practical, etc! Your indexes are laid out so well; I just love that! My only regret is that I actually have work to do today – I can’t spend my day sitting on the couch with a mug of velvety hot chocolate and a bowl of Chocolate Truffle Fudge! 🙁 I have loved the Chocolate Truffle Fudge, and was planning on making a double batch today for Christmas festivities this weekend, but now I’m going to swirl one batch of the Chocolate Truffle with one batch of the Peanut Butter Truffle Fudge! Can’t wait to eat it!
One other thing I would say is that since I have followed and used your blog recipes for about as long as you’ve been doing it, I did debate a bit as to whether it was worth buying the cookbook – I’m already familiar with and using many of your recipes – but there is no question that this book is worth every penny! IF ANYONE IS IN DOUBT, TAKE THE PLUNGE AND BUY NECESSARY FOOD!!!
Cindy says
I agree that, even if you’re a blog user, the book is worth it. With the pretty pictures and the binding that allows it to lie flat whike open, I just leave it on my kitchen island. It is SO much better than printing out the recipes or getting butter all oer my phone.
Constance Tittle says
Got my cookbook today!!! I wouldnt think that a book would be so pleasing to the senses but… it is so apealing! I love the spiral, the colors, it feels solid. First page… I love the scripture! Outstanding pictures thru and thru! Easy to navigate. The recipes from my favorite blogger:) This book is outstanding! God has blessed you with the talent to produce this book. Thank you Briana for thru it My family and I are blessed!
Laurie F says
I pre-ordered your cookbook and it arrived yesterday. I sat down and went through the whole thing last night. I love that there is a photo of every recipe (other than variations), and there is an amazing variety of things I haven’t seen elsewhere that I am excited to try! Thanks so much for putting this together (and having it have a spiral binding – whoop!). I know it’s going to be on of my go-to books from here on out!
Terry Minor says
Briana, Your book looks lovely. Started reading it from the beginning. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes. DH wants bread. I use to make it awhile back but need to get back into it with some healthier options. My only complaint is the packaging. This is bad news. I did get mine and the book looks okay but the packaging was about to fall apart. Looking forward to your next cookbook. Lord bless
Beverley Keppppel says
Got my cookbook yesterday and first thing I noticed was I can have fried okra! I love the quality of the book and the pictures. The way the index is set will make it so simple to find the food category I want to cook for any meal.
Julianne Van Cise says
GOT IT…Praise the LORD! It is PERFECT and BEAUTIFUL in every way…gave 3 as gifts and they will be the BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS, under the tree! Bless you, Briana and Angel CREW for all you did to MAKE IT so WONDERFUL! You thought of EVERYTHING!
Christine says
My cookbook was in today’s mail. Wow, so impressed with the quality. Perfect timing too! I start my vacation Thursday and can’t wait to start trying new recipes. Especially love the scriptures that are added throughout. Many Blessings to you Briana!
Alicia says
Received the cookbook yesterday and was so excited to look through it! There are so many pictures for the recipes, which is wonderful! I can’t wait to try these recipes, especially some of the desserts! If I had to have a complaint about the book, it would only be that the recipes aren’t labeled as “S” “E” or “FP”. Being on Trim Healthy Mama, my eyes are just used to finding those letters without actually looking at the recipe itself. The recipes are labeled as “healthy fats” and “healthy carbs” which do help. I personally will go through the book and put the fuel type letter on each recipe. Definitely not something that needs to be done, just something I want to do for convenience.
The book is wonderful regardless, and am excited to add it to my collection.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Alicia,
Since I self-published and the book is not affiliated with THM, I was not able to use their labels. I came up with my own fuel types that I thought would be easy to understand, and all the recipes in the book are clearly marked with those. If you need help figuring them out, feel free to email me using the contact form here on my website and I’ll try to point you in the right direction. 🙂
Briana
patricia martin says
Really ..Really Like it..had not made anything THM for almost a year but already have a few from book I want to try..Now to get the the things I need..The Book and Pictures are very Beautiful..Thank-You.. Patricia
Shelly DeHart says
My book arrived and while it is a beautiful book and well laid out, it failed to deliver on THM Fuel Sources for each recipe. Since your recipes on your blog contains “S”, “FP” “E” I am disappointed that they are not included with each recipe in the book. Maybe due to a conflict of interest and it being THM “trademark” but I wish that would have been stated .I ordered the cookbook to have all recipes in 1 location and clearly marked with Fuel Source. On your blog page where it advertises the book for sale it states that each would be clearly marked. Having to now figure each one out because Healthy Fats or Foundation Fats does not clearly state if it’s an “S”, “FP” or “E” . Maybe a misunderstanding on my part but if your able to mark them clearly on your blog not sure why it couldn’t have been part of each recipe. Now I have to look up each recipe to figure out which they are.
As a new THM follower and life being hectic enough I was looking to your cookbook to take the difficult out of it and keep it simple. Instead I am finding it to be more work looking up each item.
Briana Thomas says
Hi Shelly,
Since I’m offering recipes for free on my website, I’m able to use the THM trademarks, but I’m afraid that published materials are a different story. I self-published and the book is not affiliated with THM, so I was not able to use their labels. I came up with my own fuel types that I thought would be easy to understand, and all the recipes in the book are clearly marked with those. You can see explanations of these fuel types on page 10, and if you are not able to figure them out, feel free to email me using the contact form here on my website and I will try to point you in the right direction. 🙂
Briana
Jennifer says
I too was wondering why you were not able to use the THM fuel types in your very organized cookbook. Thanks for explaining. Yes, publishing is a very different story with all of that. I will probably just write on my fav recipes what they are for fast reference till I’m used to the “lingo.” It does make sense, but like Shelly I was quite taken back by the “new” system. Thanks for all your work!!!!!
Norma says
Thanks, Briana, for taking on this huge project for our benefit! I’m loving the cookbook! It has a “permanent” spot on my kitchen island–right next to the jigsaw puzzle (2 of my favorite things–cooking/baking and puzzles)!
I, too, was puzzled initially by the fuel type, but it quickly became evident which were S, E, FP, or XO. I am writing the THM fuel types on the recipe pages, and in the index section as I use them. As I need to, I am going through the blog recipe index to find the fuel type and writing it in the book. I have been learning a lot by browsing your blog site and the new cookbook!
Marie says
I love everything about the cookbook. EVERY SINGLE THING! The photos make you want to eat the food right off the page. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow. The spiral binding is more substantial than many in some of my other cookbooks. And it’s colorful and adds to the overall design of the front of the book. It’s just one example of the attention to detail in everything Briana does. Well done, Briana. You deserve tons of praise for this book. Your hard work is evident. Thanks so much for doing this for us.
Serina Reimer says
I have gone through your book from cover to cover 2 times to write down all the new recipes that I want to try and I have to say that I LOVE the way it was put together! The tabs and coloured pages make it easy to find what you are looking for, and I like that each section has a list of recipes on the first page of each new section. There are only 2 things that I would personally like better. The front cover is hard, and that makes it not slide open as easily as soft covered ones. The other thing is, I like it when the sweetener amount in each recipe has more than one option. like if it is super sweet listed, to also list the amount of gentle sweet that would be used too. Just makes it easier, you don’t have to look it up with each recipe 🙂 Overall, I absolutely love the cookbook! Great variety and I am a basic cooker/baker so I love that most of your recipes are easy to follow and have regular ingredients. No long list of ingredients and instructions. I usually pass by recipes if the ingredient list is too long or if there is too many instructions lol Thank you Briana Thomas for all your hard work!
Patti says
It’s HERE! It’s HERE! My “Necessary Food” arrived today. Good thing it has a strong cover and some weight to it because the shipping envelope was torn open! Don’t know about anyone else but I think I cook first with my eyes! I have spent last two hours reading page by page! Can’t decide what to fix first! Thank you Briana!
Kellie says
Love it!!!!!!! Worth every cent.
Amy says
I was so happy to receive my copy of your cookbook! My daughter and I have created a menu for the next two weeks from it. Also are planning to make many of the desserts and candies on our baking day next Thursday! Thanks for all your hard work! Merry Christmas!
Rebecca Germany says
I’m so excited about this new cookbook. I collect cookbooks and have compiled more than one for print, so I’m particular about how they are arranged. This one meets all my expectations. Well organized, good index, lovely photos , and it is compliant with THM lifestyle. Thanks, Briana, you amaze me.
Amber C says
I just received my book in the mail yesterday and I couldn’t be more happy with it. This is a lot of cookbook for your bucks! There are so many delicious sounding recipes in this book. I spent a long time reading it last and this morning, and I don’t have anything negative to say. The book is organized with two excellent indices and there are photographs for all of the recipes! The ingredients are normal every day ingredients for a THM lifestyle follower. Even if you are not a THM follower, the ingredients that might be new to you are easy to find on Amazon or the grocery store. The instructions are clear and written as if they were being spoken, which is very helpful. This book gets five stars out of five from me. I am in awe that this is a first cookbook! It seems like a third or fourth cookbook from a pro!
Dana says
This cookbook exceeded my expectations. It is beautiful and sturdy. There are pictures of every dish. This is a must have whether you are in a THM plan or not. It is full of yummy, healthy recipes and I’m pleased with my purchase!
Michele says
I received my COOKBOOK yesterday, & I have to say I was very very pleased.
1st of all : the cover was so firm & sturdy
2nd: the spiral was large & strong
Then when I opened it to the BEAUTIFUL PICTURES & RECIPES I WAS BLOWN AWAY AT HOW AWESOME THIS COOKBOOK IS.
Then the contents of the RECIPES & ALL THE HARD WORK TO MAKE THRM HEALTHY FOR US!!
Very very impressed & I LOVE MY NEW COOKBOOK !
Linda Casella says
Received my cookbook and I sat down and went page by page through it. Love the pictures and the recipes. You did a beautiful job Briana and the way you indexed them is great also.
Karol Quinn says
I received my copy of the cookbook earlier this week. The brown paper envelope it was shipped in was completely busted open, but usps put it in a plastic bag that protected it until it got to my house. I love the hard cover, the spiral binding and the verses and quotes throughout the book. You did such a wonderful job designing this book. I already have a long list of recipes I want to try!
Renee says
This is one BEAUTIFUL cookbook! I didn’t realize it would be hardcover, so that was my first nice surprise. Cannot congratulate you enough, Briana, on a fine, fine job! My husband is looking forward to your delicious looking recipes. Your photography is clear and lovely. This is going on my cookbook stand IMMEDIATELY! Excellent work.
Tina Marmolejo says
This will no doubt be my go to cookbook & favorite of them all! Briana has the most scrumptious & easy to follow recipes. I can’t decide which one to start with. The photos are beautiful & I love the little extra surprises placed throughout the book! As I said earlier, the best things are worth the wait ?
Nicole says
This cookbook is absolutely GORGEOUS! Hard cover, spiral binding, glossy pages, and beautiful photos. The recipes are well written with clear directions. My kids were absolutely drooling while looking through it, and when I asked what I should make I was told “All of it!. I have made several of the recipes on Briana’s blog and I can’t wait to put my cookbook to use.
Cindy says
Briana is an innovator. Like the rest of us who are following a THM or lower-carb lifestyle,, she had to learn to work with food ingredients that were not in our mothers’ pantries. UNLIKE others (okay, I’ll speak for myself), she has a knack for making it all work. Either she has a real aptitude for recipe development or incredible perseverance. because her dishes taste great and have a pleasing texture. (Both are critical if we’re going to give up our usual dishes for healthier food.) I would say that you can riff on her cooked dishes, but pay close attention to following her recipes for baked food, ice cream, and desserts. I will mention for newbies to this way of cooking that she favors stevia as a sweetener for dishes that are best with a powered or non-gritty sweetener. I suspect it’s because of her frugality, because the powdered sugar alternatives like Gentle Sweet (a Trim Healthy Mama product) and Swerve are pricey. Briana uses quality ingredients, but she makes the most of them. If you are just starting a sugar free lifestyle, stevia is not the easiest sweetener to adjust to. Do yourself a favor. Find a copy of the Trim Healthy Mama sweetener conversion chart (on the THM website or FB page or Pinterest) and invest in a quality erythritol -stevia blend. (Xylitol blends are good too, if you don’t have dogs). I sub Gentle Sweet and Super Sweet all the time in Briana’s recipes and have not had a fail yet.
Briana has put almost as much thought into the functionality and beauty of this book as she has put into the recipes. The spiral binding makes the book lay flat while you’re using it. She gives you different ways to find recipes and includes tips for different types of food (such as ice cream) to help you be more successful. I was a little bit thrown by her table of contents in each section because recipes are listed alphabetically rather than in the order they appear in the section.Then I realized the alpha order made it easier to find my favorite recipes from her web site. She also has little tabs that you can see when the book is closed. delineating the various sections. Eventually I’ll know, for instance, that the ice cream section is in the blue tab section. Finally, she put her photography skills to work, taking her own pictures of her dishes. The beautiful pictures motivate you to try her recipes.
This is a great book for people who like to cook and bake. It’s also great for those of us who just want to fix stuff to eat. I’ve had three meals since I got my book and I’ve made three of her recipes. Each one was wonderful.
Sara Hart says
I just got my cookbook today! It’s gorgeous! I love all the pics. I rarely try recipes without pics. I’m very visual and this cookbook didn’t disappoint. Thanks for all your hard work, Briana!!
Lora says
Got my book today. Loved the way it looks. Easy to read and understand!!! Already made the baking blend. Highly recommend it!
Donna A Vittitoe says
I’m loving having your recipes in my hands, I don’t know how many times I would go search your sites and of course find what I wanted. It’s beautiful!!
Alta says
This has instantly become my favorite cookbook! I love all the beautiful pictures and enjoy the quotes throughout. I find the index system very helpful and really like having the sections marked on the side tabs, makes it easy to find specific categories. I have made several recipes already and they turned out great. Thank you so much Briana, your cookbook is beautiful!
Linda Koperniak says
I received my cookbook yesterday and have gone through it twice. I love it and see many recipes I am going to try. Thank you so much.
Rose says
I received my book yesterday. I’m very pleased with the look of it, I love spiral bounding and hard covers. The quality of paper used for printing is excellent. Pictures are great and I love that almost every recipe has a picture to go with it. I read through introduction today and some of the recipes,there are so many good ones I don’t know which one to try first. Bible verses and some other quotes are very refreshing in between the recipes. You did great job, I always enjoyed your recipes but now I have them all in one beautiful book instead all over the place. Thanks for your hard work.
Twila says
I received my cookbook yesterday. I was so happy to see it in my mailbox! It’s beautifully done! I haven’t finished looking through it, but so happy I no longer have to get on the computer and look the recipes up on your blog! (BTW, I make you 5 ingredient waffle quite often. It pairs well with the Raspberry Butter Syrup from FFL.) I also love the Jiggly Cranberry Orange Salad. I’ve made it twice this fall and love eating it with cottage cheese. The categories on the edge of the pages was a smart idea! It make it so easy to find the category I want. Thanks for all the hard work!
Carrie says
I love the cookbook. The binding and hard covers are awesome for easy use. The contents are aesthetically pleasing, well organized and easy to read. I’ve only made one recipe from this cookbook so far, the Pizza Bake. This recipe is similar to one I already make, but uses the ingredients in a different order so the end result is not as runny, and it worked! First one goes down as a success!
Kim says
Your cookbook is beautiful! Made 3 recipes and love them!!
joyce says
wow!! it’s beautiful! i love the layout, the ‘warmth’ of it all. now to decide what to make first, and second, and third….. i also love the quotes sprinkled throughout the cookbook. definitely keep those in the next cookbook you print!
Marsha says
Your cookbook is beautiful. It was thoughtfully designed and is very user friendly. Recipes are very easy to find. Wonderful to have favorite recipes within reach. Thank you!
Joy says
I LOVE the cookbook!! It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be! I feel like I got more than I payed for! Now I don’t have to print as many recipes from the blog cause all the recipes Briana comes up with will be in her new cookbook right 🙂
Kay Curtiss says
Just got mine in the mail! It has lots of beautiful pictures (which I really appreciate), is laid out and organized in a very easy to use format. I love that it is spiral bound, making it so much easier to use while cooking and you get some great inspirational gems throughout the book to uplift you while cooking. I’ll be using it to plan my menus for our upcoming family vacation over the holidays to my parents beach house.
You won’t be sorry adding this wonderful cookbook to your healthy eating cooking library!
Brandi says
Just received my copy a few days ago. It is beautiful, easy to read and follow, and sturdy. Everything from the cover to the glossy pages are just perfect! The recipes, oh my goodness! I see much Briana cooking going on in my kitchen in the future! Do yourself a favor and purchase this beautiful book.
P.S.- Briana also encourages us with scripture and other quotes throughout the book! Such a nice touch and comforting while skimming through the recipes. 🙂
Thank you for all of your hard work Briana!
Janice Wolters says
I absolutely love this cookbook! Such tasty recipes are in it. I saw several things last night while perusing it that I just have to try soon!
Thanks for sharing your gifts!
Merry Christmas to you. ?
Linda says
Wow! I am truly impressed with this cookbook! I was expecting it to be amazing after following Briana’s blog for quite a while and seeing the quality of her work, but I was not prepared for how amazing it was going to be. The quality of this book reflects the experience and professionalism of someone who has been writing cookbooks forever…not a 20-yr-old! It is packed full of awesome recipes, with beautiful photos. The hard cover and spiral binding is the best! It should be a law or something that all cookbooks have hard covers and spiral binding. I love how it is all laid out…the flow is great! The price of this book is an incredible value, considering the quality, quantity of recipes, and the opportunity to eat healthy with lots of variety.
Kat says
I love love love this cookbook! Seriously it is one of the best if not *the* best ever! Obviously a lot of thought and planning went into it. The layout, design, spiral binding, indexing, the way the recipes are written is all so amazing. I have to say though that while I really like the hard cover, it just feels a bit too thick to me–and it doesn’t always quite swing freely on the spiral. But those are minor issues and could just be me. Thank you for your hard work Briana! You have outdone yourself. 🙂
Julie says
Just got a book today!! It was more amazing than I actually thought it would be and is very colorful! I got it for a gift for someone but now I wish I had gotten an extra! This book makes me want to renew and get back on the THM track! There are tons of recipes and many pictures! Thank you for doing a cookbook!
Belle says
I just received my book today after pre-ordering it in October. What a wonderful Christmas gift to myself! I have been following Briana’s recipes ever since I first began following THM in July of this year and I have tried many of her recipes. I can’t wait to delve into her cookbook and try out her other goodies! Thank you Briana for your amazing talent!
Christine Fogus says
Just got my cookbook in the mail. It is beautiful. And it is HUGE! Full of wonderful pictures and recipes. I can’t wait to get cooking. The shakes look super scrumptious. This is honestly the best cookbook I have ever purchased. Thank you!! Merry Christmas to me!
Melanie says
I just received your book in the mail today. Can’t wait to have time to sit down with a cup of hot tea and my new “friend”. The book is beautiful and well designed. Thank you!
Beth Dix says
I just received my cookbook! It is far superior to anything I could have imagined. The photography is stunning. Book assembly/quality outstanding. Briana has set the standard for other cookbooks out there.
I can’t wait to start using it!
By the way, when I opened the box, it was like Christmas!!! “Oh, it’s my cookbook!” Truly took my breath away.
Christy says
What an amazing value! Huge book, full of recipes with pictures 🙂 very well done! I can’t wait to start cooking!!
Lily says
I have been working at the print shop this week and almost every where I turn, there are stacks of pages of the delicious looking food found in the cookbook. Inserting covers only gives me sneak peeks and leaves me wanting to curl up and read the whole book…No doubt, in spite of having stacks of cookbooks already, this one goes down on my Christmas wish list. I don’t care how difficult it is to get the large bindings on those covers, because those make for a splendid, easy to use cookbook. Finding healthier recipes and adapting good eating habits is a journey not discovered in just one single day. I am grateful for helpful, easy to follow, tried and true resources. Thank you Briana
Rachel says
Oh my goodness, I just spent the last 2 hours reading through this . . . I couldn’t put it down. I wish I had all the time in the world and a pantry full of ingredients so I could make every single one of these scrumptious recipes. So incredibly impressive! I’m so grateful for this wonderful labor of love, and can’t wait to dig into all these amazing goodies. So well done, worth absolutely every penny!
Karen Lester says
Just got mine today. Love the spiral bound and hard cover. The indexing is excellent. Love the fact I can easily find a fuel I have in mind. I can’t wait to start cooking and trying everything! Thank you Briana. Great job!
Ivette A Kingrey says
This is a perfect cookbook! Spiral bound on a very large coil, so it lays flat, folds over in half, and there’s plenty of space for the pages to move freely. Pages are glossy and can be wiped if there’s a spill, caught quickly. Index is very user friendly, and gives multiple ways to find thing. Lastly, the photos are exceptional. It’s amazing all around.
Sherry Shriver says
I just got home and the cookbook was in my mailbox. It is absolutely beautiful. The food looks scrumptious. Can’t wait to dig in to it and try some of the recipes. Beyond expectations!!!