This is a post about you, not me. Along those lines, I have some questions, I want to get to know you better. To find out what you like, and also what you need.
Why? I’m thinking of writing another cookbook. For the past ten years, I’ve had cookbook writing on the brain. And in the past four years I’ve created two of them. Now, I’m entertaining the idea of writing a third book. If I do, I’d like it to be of benefit to my readers. So here are my questions:
- What, if any, are your dietary restrictions?
- Are there foods you are not allergic to that you avoid?
- Which type of recipe (i.e., bread, salad, entrees, sides, desserts, etc.) do you find most useful?
- Of the cookbooks you own, which sections do you find yourself using most frequently?
- What is your definition of “healthy food”
- If you could ask for one thing in a cookbook, what would it be?
Feel free to answer all of the questions above, or just a couple. I’m really looking forward to hearing from you, and getting to know you a little bit better.
I will (as always) read each and every comment left below and while there may be competing requests and wishes, I will do my best to incorporate them into my future projects.
KarenW says
I agree with so many here I do not want to repeat. However, photos, weekly menu plans, and shopping lists would help super busy people a great deal. I would love a book that pulled all of these things together.
Karen Baldwin says
Hi Elana,
I eat a paleo diet 90% of the time and have several cook books. The one I am missing would include several recipes that are basic, simple, everyday type of fare that are ready in 15-20 minutes or less. I list of pantry items to have on hand and one of things I could make ahead and freeze to make preparation easier would be helpful too.
I am a fan and love your cookbooks and blog, thanks for the opportunity to give input.
Karen
Kari says
My poor boy has a lot of allergies. I can work around those for entrees and desserts. My biggest problem has been finding/making a decent bread product for him. I mean sandwich bread, rolls, hamburger buns, and pizza crust. Just last night I had another loaf fail miserably.
His allergies are gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, tree nuts, legumes, beans, shellfish, and cranberries. We try to avoid yeast and eat a whole foods diet. Even with yeast, it seems a good loaf of bread is beyond hope.
So many of the recipe books I have bought promise egg free recipes. But when I get them, the recipe is built using eggs and an egg-free option is offered. Problem is that when the recipe is built using the eggs, the substitution usually is a disappointment in something as delicate as bread.
Would be grateful for one of the above bread items in your new cookbook. Thanks for asking for this input!
Glenda says
1. gluten
2.dairy,nightshades,soy
3.Paleo breads and desserts
4.Ones that are budget friendly,healthy,and easy to prepare
5.Food that is not processed and as close to nature as possible
6.A cookbook with simple recipes that are not time consuming
I love your cookbooks,especially the GF Cupcakes. I own both of them and would buy a third.
janet says
Holiday treats or any treats, made with stevia!
After all, honey and agave have as many calories and carbs as sugar….I can envision so many awesome sweet things made with stevia, in fact if you don’t write it I may have to do it myself!! Love your site!
Deanna says
1. Gluten free and Paleo
2. I avoid foods with a high glycemic load, grains, and polysaturated oils. (has virtually cured acne)
3. I find all very useful, but probably look for dessert and bread recipes most often.
4. Desserts, Breads
5. Definition of “healthy food” – Fruits, vegetables, nuts, Omega 3s, olive and coconut oils, low glycemic foods, lean meats, organic
6. I would love to see a Paleo desserts cookbook! I really like using xylitol as a sweetener, and would like to see this used in more recipes.
I want to say thank you for all of your great recipes! I have been eating Paleo for the past two years, and had become extremely bored with food until I discovered your website several months ago. Your recipes are simple to make, and I’m almost always very pleased with the results. Thanks so much, and I look forward to your next cookbook!!
Danielle says
My family and I adhere to the Paleo diet. We feel the benefits of this sort of eating has transformed our health (mind, body, and soul)
I would love to see another cookbook focused on quick and easy Paleo family meals. We love your AF cookbook and cupcake book! I also agree with the poster who asked for the nutritional
Breakdown. Lastly, a Paleo kid cookbook would be FANTASTIC! There aren’t very many.
Bonny says
1. Sensitive to gluten & soy. Sometimes can eat Spelt bread.
2. Large amounts of starch, meat, dairy, eggs & refined sugar.
3. Breads, pizza crusts, french bread, crackers, entrees & dessert
4. Gluten-free vegan desserts, entrees. Not much out there for gluten-free breads that are also dairy & egg free and have whole grains. I love your 2 cookbooks you’ve already done. I like the roughage in almond flour. I get too constipated with breads that are mostly starch of one kind or another! Hard to find a healthy bread of any kind!
5. As close to nature as possible with nothing coming from an animal, and with no refined sugar, and low natural sweeteners.
6. I would like to see a cookbook with breads that are light, dairy and egg free (egg replacers fine), and are as close to the way God made the ingredients to begin with. I’d like to see more recipes with coconut flour as well as almond flour, quinoa, seed meal like flax or Chia seed. Have you ever experimented with using food hydrogen peroxide for raising bread? I’d like to see someone experiment with that & make it gluten free. Happy cookbook making! I’m looking forward to another one of your delicious tasting recipe books!
MikeE says
I’m looking for ideas for portable meals (school and/or work lunches) that fit within Paleo guidelines and can be prepared (for the most part) the night before, or possibly portable meals that can be put together on the weekend for the following week.
Donna says
Hi Elana,
to answer your cookbook questions…
I do have dietary restrictions, I am both dairy free and glutefree and choose to be a vegetarian .
I have found more and more I feel better when I eat small plates, or tapas size .
I tend to use the appetizer sections of my cook books, but would love to have a cookbook that was all small plates to mix and match for a meal. I think healthy food is seasonal fresh and whenpossible local . healthy is also how food is cooked, not a lot of frying etc although I think we worry to much about fat, the right kinds are actually good for you!
Good luck in your cookbook adventure