Reviewed by Kristie I. for Readers' Favorite

Initially I thought that Joy Feldman's Joyful Cooking was going to be "just a cookbook"; wow, was I wrong! This book is jam-packed with information and recipes! The purpose of this book is to promote good health and healing one's body though nutritional balancing. It begins with a foreword by a medical doctor and continues with describing how food and what we eat affects our bodies. There are in-depth descriptions of spices, types of foods and ideal diets for various groups of people, including children and expectant mothers. There are several recipes, menu plans, lists for what should be in one's pantry and refrigerator and websites to offer additional information.

It is obvious that Feldman has done a great amount of research, as this book is a thorough resource. Not only are there statements about eating healthy, having a healthy body and being aware of what we put into our bodies, there are reasons why; and the explanations are easy to understand. The cover is eye-catching and once you open the book to browse, you will continue turning page after page to see what tidbit is included on the next page. The recipes use common ingredients, and many offer substitutions if you need them. Hints are included, making the recipes very user-friendly. Also included are tips to help make meal planning easier and the preparation time to go smoothly. I like the quotes that are interspersed on the pages, as they add an extra "treat."