The Cleaner Plate Club

November 15, 2010
This crayon-colored real food manifesto from mommy bloggers Bader and Benjamin gives parents plenty of ammo in the never-ending battle to get their kids to eat better, though it will likely be used more as a reference than a playbook at the end of a long day. Concerned parents will appreciate arguments for the benefits of eating better and avoiding processed foods; suggestions on dealing with picky eaters; shopping tips; and the organic vs. conventional debate. Profiles of common vegetables should broaden the palate and pantry, but some tips are disappointingly obvious ("don't go grocery shopping with kids who are hungry or tired"). And while recipes do present healthy alternatives, not all are time savers: few parents will want to whip up pumpkin gnocchi with walnut cream sauce and balsamic reduction after work. The duo deserves credit for a healthy take on chicken nuggets (baked), and their list of "faster than drive-thru dinners" that come together in a flash. Locavores well-versed in the benefits of a diet emphasizing fresh vegetables will likely find few surprises, but others will find a helpful resource for healthier eating.

October 1, 2010

"Real moms" and food bloggers Bader and Benjamin join forces to educate, inform, and inspire us about feeding the kids. They've endeavored to create a kind of handbook with guidelines for family nutrition by providing healthy recipes, supermarket strategies, and vegetable profiles. Sprinkled with quotations (from Michael Pollan, among others, of course!), the book also includes interesting information on pesticide residues in produce, analyses of oils, and tips for dealing with sugar fiends and balky eaters. The resource section lists organizations, publications, and favorite cookbooks. Presented in a colorful, kid-friendly style, with mom-next-door chatty text, this guide offers advice on what to choose and how to cook it in a fast-food age. VERDICT The market for books on this subject continues to grow following Pollan's 2006 best seller, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and this is a useful addition. Great for public libraries and all readers interested in healthy cooking/shopping for the family.--Barb Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO

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