New Jersey Holistic Magazine

Caldwell, NJ – The Holistic Moms Network - a national non-profit with over 115 chapters across the U.S. - has just released Growing Healthy Families: Cooking With Holistic Moms. This delightful little cookbook contains nearly 300 recipes submitted by the group's members who embrace holistic health and green living. It is divided into helpful categories: Appetizers & Beverages, Soups & Salads, Vegetables & Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads & Rolls, Desserts, Cookies & Candy and a very special section called This & That, which includes recipes for homemade baby formula and food as well as baby wipes, non-toxic household cleaners, and holistic remedies.
The body of Growing Healthy Families showcases a variety of nutritional philosophies and flavors, from vegetarian, vegan, raw food, and gluten-free (for those with ethical or dietary sensitivities), to ethnic and meat-centered dishes. "We don't all agree on what we should eat," says Nancy Massotto, HMN's Executive Director, "but we find common ground in the value of eating simply and eating unprocessed whole foods," Massotto says. Indeed, many of the recipes in Growing Healthy Families emphasize the use of wholesome ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole wheat pastry flour for baking, and flax seeds which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. But more importantly, this cookbook contains mom and kid-tested recipes which prove that healthy doesn't mean bland or boring.
Hearty recipes such as Red Lentil Roast or Fennel-Crusted Salmon on White Beans to Gluten-Free Fudge Brownies and Vegan Banana Oatmeal Cookies are sure to please every palate and dietary need. A delicious Eggplant Roulade recipe - using soy in place of dairy-based cheese - is offered by Dr Joel Fuhrman, author of Disease-Proof Your Child, father of four, and a leading expert on nutritional healing. Activist Chef Ann Cooper, who is transforming school lunch menus across the country with her organic, regional and seasonal food programs, contributed recipes for Mango Lassi (an Indian mango yogurt smoothie), Arugula with Steak, Lemon and Parmesan, and Apple Date Bars that will appeal to children and adults alike. "Feeding children healthy, delicious, nutritious food should be one of our highest priorities. This cookbook will help toward that end, as well as provide wonderful food to share at the table," says Cooper.
Yummy Cheddar Corn Bread and creamy Carrot Ginger Soup recipes were provided by Organic Valley, the farmer-owned dairy cooperative dedicated to sustainable agriculture, and a Holistic Moms sponsor. Fun and healthy selections like Asparagus "Fries," "Dirt" Balls, and "Volcano" Muffins, coupled with staples like Onion Soup, Pesto Sauce, and Homemade Hummus make this cookbook one that readers will use again and again.
What makes Growing Healthy Families truly unique, however, is the last section called This & That. Readers will find recipes for homemade baby wipes, play dough, non-toxic household cleaners, body care products, and holistic remedies for everything from sore throat and chest congestion to insect bites and allergy relief. Cathy Lauer, an HMN member and professional herbalist who teaches traditional uses of herbs as food and medicine is a contributor. "Women have always made healing preparations at home, and we have forgotten how to do these things," says Lauer. "The feedback I get from people who make their own remedies is that they feel empowered; it increases their trust in nature and in their own parenting abilities."
Growing Healthy Families is reasonably priced at $15 and can be ordered from the HMN website at www.holisticmoms.org.