Book Review: From the Olive Grove: Mediterranean Cooking with Olive Oil

From the Olive Grove: Mediterranean Cooking with Olive Oil by Helen Koutalianos

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I would love to visit an olive grove!

This book was written by a family with such true passion and dedication to the craft of fine olive oil. The introduction was educational, entertaining and alluring, made me wish I could afford more decadent ingredients.

There are so many stylish and approachable recipes in this book, but not all in our dietary plan. I did note a couple recipes to try later and if I had a broader diet I am sure I would try more.



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Book Review: The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook: Hundreds of Favorite Recipes Created to Combat Congestive Heart Failure and Dangerous Hypertension

The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook: Hundreds of Favorite Recipes Created to Combat Congestive Heart Failure and Dangerous Hypertension by Donald A. Gazzaniga

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In 2009, my 37 year old husband has had a rough year. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and then had a very damaging heart attack. Like the author of this book, he was told he may need a heart transplant. Of course he/we have been eating better and trying to find the most flavor bang for our buck AND sodium count. We love to eat out and try all kinds of foods and we wanted to keep that as a part of our life. I have loved this book because it reads like more than a cook book. I enjoyed sitting down and reading it, I looked forward to going back to it despite the fact that I was so bummed about NEEDING it in my life when I picked it up. I cannot say that about many of the chronic disease diet books I have been browsing!

In addition to the recipes, the book gives a great primer on low-sodium eating, where sodium is found, what it is used for, and how to live low-sodium all the time. The author goes to great lengths in his own life to be at around 500mg of sodium a day, super low, and it is inspiring to read his commentary. I also like the board of people he used to help write the book. Even better, my husband and I have enjoyed all of the recipes we have tried so far. I like how the recipes are not bland and all areas of dinning are covered (comfort food, holidays, potlucks, light snacks, dressings, salads, sweets). The nutrition information on each dish is included, which is helpful for other areas of diet that we are monitoring.

The book has me excited because it is helping me adapt my cooking and shopping to what I was hoping: that being low-sodium does not mean flavorless and boring.

Why hello again!

So I just realized I could post my Goodreads book reviews to Blogger kind of simply; the first is below.

I have been trying to read up on the diverse world of the Mediterranean Diet as it is very healthy for all of us, but especially for my partner (per science (Go Gophs!) and several of his doctors). We have the lofty goal of a no added salt, low carbohydrate, no animal fat, no red meat, low white meat, fatty fish, consistent vitamin K, low cholesterol, low sugar, high fiber, high protein, spicy, satisfying, and delicious diet.

Believe it or not, the Mediterranean region covers a lot of these bases, but I have to really read the recipes and plan to play around with herbs and peppers for flavor.


I thought I would share my search with others, first with the book reviews and later with recipe reviews. Book or other source suggestions are welcome!

Book Review: The Mediterranean Prescription: Meal Plans and Recipes to Help You Stay Slim and Healthy for the Rest of Your Life

The Mediterranean Prescription: Meal Plans and Recipes to Help You Stay Slim and Healthy for the Rest of Your Life by Angelo Acquista

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book was ok, I ended up being distracted by the author's love of his own cooking, which seems odd as he certainly must be a good cook to have a cookbook. Also, I turned out not liking the weight-loss solution tone of the book. I am not so much a diet person, but I am trying to pull and understand elements of this vast way of life to improve the quality and health of my cooking. Overall it was ok.



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Work to eat, eat to live, live to bike, bike to work!

Ok, so I think this is a fantastic mantra, but I do not follow it. I ride the bus.

Some great friends of mine and thousands of other Minneapolis commuters and commuters all over the world do though!

Here's a hip hip hooray for my friends, who not only bike to work, but keep encouraging ME to join them!(Postcard I have hanging in my desk from Todd, by beloved local artist Adam Turman.)

I have a bike and I am very close to having the nerve to bike to work. I am mostly afraid of biking on busy streets and being very smelly.

There is safety in numbers though, right? Right!?!?

PS: I have been walking and I went to the gym last night, so I have that going for me.

Was Guilty the eigth dwarf?

I did not make it to the gym yesterday, but I ate healthy...right up until I split a vegan banana walnut pancake with my love.
I am not sure if anyone is reading this, but I feel like if I post it somewhere I OWN that truth and I can work from it.

There is always tonight for the gym!

(This is my gym, but now the foliage is much greener!)

Well, I went to the gym last night

and I am pretty darn proud of myself!
My partner has been going 3-4 days a week in the mornings. I am proud of him.

I hope to get back to the gym again.