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The Living Well Without Lectins Cookbook: 125 Lectin-Free Recipes for Optimum Gut Health, Losing Weight, and Feeling Great!

3/17/2020

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Some of the recipes in this book are very good, but the general health & food information is lacking. I wouldn't put my trust into the medical info.  I stick with this for the recipes.
This Book is Suitable for the Recipes, the Rest of the Information is Questionable
The Living Well Without Lectins Cookbook: 125 Lectin-Free Recipes for Optimum Gut Health, Losing Weight, and Feeling Great! by Claudia Curici

I ordered this book anticipating that I would love it because I follow an Low FODMAPs AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet. I never read The Plant Paradox (it was on my wish list). Now after reading this book, I am likely to only read The Plant Paradox if my little rural library ever decides to carry it. I no longer plan to purchase it.

As I started to read this, I decided to jot down a few things that I didn't care for. She recommends stainless steel cookware (which is great) over cast iron claiming you can get too much iron in your diet if you use cast iron. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this was debunked. That you don't actually get large amounts of iron from iron cookware. Yes, you do get some, but nothing to get excited about. After pushing to use safe cookware, I later came across a recipe saying to use a non stick pan. What!?!

This book uses only fake sweeteners basically "Keto" sweeteners. That's great if you are Keto, but if your not, & if you are AIP like I am; fake sweeteners of all types (including stevia) get a big fat no.

The information on nightshades is painfully wrong. The author lists foods that are not in the nightshade family! It is really hard to take other information in this book seriously when I am seeing such a glaring mistake. Cucumbers & zucchini are not nightshades they are in the cucurbitaceae family. Eco farming is my full time job. It's a lot of work & takes a lot of careful planing. Knowing what family veggies belong in is critical for proper crop rotation. I'm just floored that something so basic is wrong especially when considering the book tells the reader to avoid these two healthy vegetables because they wrongly believe they are nightshades. How the heck can I take anything seriously from this book?

There are no basic kitchen staple recipes for things like broths, mayonnaise, or seasoning blends.

The author fails to mention that canned lentils are another healthy option to eat "safe" lentils (if you are Low FODMAPs, you know all about canned lentils). Using an InstaPot isn't the only option for lentils.

Also, I guess this is a Keto book. No mention of that on the front or the back cover. I'm not Keto. The author mentions having your body in ketosis. The thing is there are some recipes that seem pretty high carb to me. Is it Keto or not? Mixed messages here. There are no nutrition facts, so I just have to use common sense as to if something seems like it might be high carb. I noticed that I react poorly to some high carb foods, but not others.

The recipes:
I had to make the few I've tried so far work for me as best as I can due to my food intolerances. Thankfully, I don't have to eliminate all high FODMAPs. Through trial & error, I've learned over the years which foods my body reacts badly to & take care to adjust recipes where needed. As for the dessert (ahem, Sweet Treats) recipes, there is not one single recipe that appeals to me. I have never come across a cookbook that didn't have even one dessert recipe that I wanted to try - & I've made Keto desserts that I love!

The recipes I've tried so far:

Brazilian Sun-Kissed Bread This intrigued me because the author states they are best fresh out of the oven & explains how you can freeze the uncooked dough to pop out of the freezer as needed. She also states you can shape the dough into other shapes to suit your needs. Since I was making this for the first time I followed the original recipe of just making balls. The taste of these was okay. The texture was very dense & chewy. I am undecided if I will make them again. I put the uncooked balls on a cookie tray (uncoated stainless steel), making sure they didn't touch & froze them in my freezer. Once hard, I transferred them to a freezer bag (plastic 🙄).  

Tarragon Chicken Salad This was just okay. I thought I would love it. The taste was surprisingly bland. I probably wont make it again. This, coming from a gal who loves tarragon!

Chicken Pot Pie This was a huge hit. I cannot even remember the last time I had real pot pie. This is the closest I've ever come to the real deal. It was a lot of work! I'll probably only make it again if I really want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen working on one dish (this from a woman who dedicates every Sunday to cooking enough food to feed my family for the entire week). Note: The crust utilized ground almonds (I used organic blanched), so it's costly & not AIP friendly. I had a major relapse after this & have never made it again.

Chicken Schnitzel Such a disappointment. Even following the directions to the letter, the coating wouldn't stay on the breasts. The flavor was bland & unappealing. The only good part about this was how tender the breasts were thanks to using a manual meat tenderizer on them. I will not make this again.

FYI: I know to some this will seem really dumb to some & others will totally get it. So here goes (please don't judge me too harshly whichever side you are on LOL), I used store bought certified organic chicken for these recipes that I tried. There, I said it. I didn't eat my birds. Go ahead & laugh at me or not. It's up to you. 

Anyhoo...

Recipes I have on my "To Try" list:
Sweet & Savory Green Pancakes
Tigernut Pancakes (tigernut flour is the bomb!)
Mustard Green & Sweet Potato Soup
Crunchy Tuna Salad
Liver Pate

My takeaway is to take the medical advice in this book with a grain of salt. A low FODMAPs diet is an actual medical diet. These others are not, not even my beloved AIP which has been so helpful for me. If you would like to learn more, I strongly suggest reading The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body & Paleo Principles: The Science Behind the Paleo Template, Step-by-Step Guides, Meal Plans, and 200+ Healthy & Delicious Recipes for Real Life both are by Sarah Ballantyne PhD. She actually went to medical school. My favorite cookbook by her & another is The Healing Kitchen: 175+ Quick & Easy Paleo Recipes to Help You Thrive. For fabulous recipes for comfort foods, I highly recommend The Autoimmune Protocol Comfort Food Cookbook: 100+ Nourishing Allergen-Free Recipes by Michelle Hoover

While this book has many flaws, I haven't given up on it entirely. I plan to make the recipes on my "To Try" list to see if they are worth it. If they produce lackluster results, I'll likely remove this book from my library. If on the other hand, they turn out great, I'll continue to try other recipes (just not the desserts!) & keep it - of course.

As long as you understand that this book is suitable for the recipes alone, & the rest of the information is questionable, you should be good to go.
You may also like:
An eco farmer with endo reviews 'The Autoimmune Keto Cookbook'.
Are you looking for delish comfort foods that are AIP compliant? You may want to consider this book. As an eco farm gal with endo, I give you a good taste of what to expect.
Book Corner Quick Links 📚
Links to the books I've read & reviewed for your convenience!

  • The Living Well Without Lectins Cookbook: 125 Lectin-Free Recipes for Optimum Gut Health, Losing Weight, and Feeling Great!
  • The Little Book Of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living
  • The Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook: The Very Best Purees, Finger Foods, And Toddler Meals For Happy Families
  • The Organic Artist for Kids: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Nature
  • Art Starts In The Heart: Creative projects and inspirational ideas for learning to make Expressive, Mindful Art
  • The Autoimmune Keto Cookbook: Heal Your Body with Delicious AIP-Compliant Recipes and Meal Plans
  • The Paleo 30-Day Challenge: A Paleo Cookbook to Lose Weight and Reboot Your Health
  • The 5-Minute Stoicism Journal: Create Space for Joy, Positivity, and Reflection
  • The Big 10 Fish & Seafood Cookbook: 10 Seafood, 80 Recipes, 240 Variations
  • A Seeker's Guide to the Yoga Sutras: Modern Reflections on the Ancient Journey
  • The Probiotic Kitchen: More Than 100 Delectable, Natural, and Supplement-Free Probiotic Recipes
  • Life Unplugged Reset, Relax, Reconnect: A Digital Detox Workbook
  • IVF Meal Plan: Maximize Your Chance of IVF Success Through Diet
  • Kid Food: The Challenge Of Feeding Children In A Highly Processed World
  • The 28-Day Plan for IBS Relief: 100 Simple Low-FODMAP Recipes to Soothe Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Find Your Mantra: Inspire and Empower Your Life with 75 Positive Affirmations
  • The 30-Minute Low-FODMAP Cookbook: 101 Delicious Recipes to Soothe IBS and Other Digestive Disorders
  • The Old Farmer's Almanac Vegetable Gardener's Handbook
  • The SIBO Cookbook For The Newly Diagnosed: The Complete Guide to Relieving Symptoms and Preventing Recurrence
  • Mindful Simplicity: Practical Strategies for Finding Harmony in Your Home, Work, and Life
  • Beginner's Guide To Screen Printing: 12 beautiful printing projects with templates
  • Beginner's Guide to Tunisian Crochet: with 10 modern projects for you and your home
  • Stretching For Beginners: Improve Flexibility and Relieve Aches and Pains with 75 Exercises and 24 Simple Routines
  • The Green Juicing Recipe Book: 75 Recipes For Weight Loss, Glowing Skin, And Boosted Energy
  • 7 Days Of Christmas: A Season Of Generosity
  • Raising Happy Rabbits: Housing, Feeding, And Care Instructions For Your Rabbits First Year
  • The Plastic Problem
  • Seeking Slow Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day
  • A Year Of Creativity: A Craft Date Planner to Meet, Share, and Create
  • Canelle et Vanille: Nourishing Gluten Free Recipes for Every Meal and Mood
  • The Autoimmune Protocol Comfort Food Cookbook: 100+ Nourishing Allergen-Free Recipes
  • Good Husbandry: Growing Food, Love, and Family on Essex Farm
  • The Dirty Life: A Memoir on Farming, Food, and Love
  • You Are What Your Grandparents Ate
  • Good Mornings: Morning Rituals For Wellness, Peace,and Purpose
  • Healthy Eating For Life
  • Troubled Water What's Wrong With What We Drink
  • Beekeeping For Beginners How To Raise Your First Bee Colonies
  • Dreamland (YA edition): The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic
  • Yoga For Better Sleep
  • Everyday Healing with Essential Oils
  • Buzz Sting Bite Why We Need Insects
  • National Geographic Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness
  • Coffee House Knits
  • Feeding You Lies
  • Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life
  • Breakfast The Most Important Book About The Best Meal Of The Day
  • Complete Wellness Enjoy Long-Lasting Health and Well-Being
  • The Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy: A Guide to Surviving Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Beyond
  • The Complete Guide To Adaptogens From Ashwagandaha to Rhodiola, Medicinal Herbs That Transform and Heal
  • Beginning Beekeeping
  • Before The Evolution and Future of Processed Food
  • The Psychobiotic Revolution
  • Simple & Natural Soapmaking: Create 100% Pure and Beautiful Soaps with The Nerdy Farm Wife’s Easy Recipes and Techniques
  • The Flower Book
  • The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide: Over 250 Recipes for Natural Wholesome Aromatherapy
  • The Gut Makeover: 4 Weeks to Nourish Your Gut, Revolutionize Your Health, and Lose Weight
  • The Field Guide To Pregnancy
  • 101 Easy Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health & Home: A Nerdy Farm Wife's All-Natural DIY Projects Using Commonly Found Herbs, Flowers & Other Plants
  • The Chicken Health Handbook
  • Chickens In Your Backyard:  A Beginners Guide
  • The Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health: More Than 200 New Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes for Delicious and Nutrient-Rich Dishes
  • The Joy of Jams, Jellies, and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits
  • The Raw Milk Revolution: Behind America's Emerging Battle over Food Rights
  • The Joy of Pickling: 250 Flavor-Packed Recipes for Vegetables and More from Garden or Market
  • Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty
  • The Gort Cloud: The Invisible Force Powering Today's Most Visible Green Brands
  • Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles
  • Sleeping Naked Is Green
  • Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting
  • Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything
  • Beef: The Untold Story of How Milk, Meat, and Muscle Shaped the World
  • Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and More
  • Healing Herbs:  A Beginner's Guide To Identifying, Foraging, and Using Medicinal Plants
  • The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook
  • The Virgin Diet Cookbook: 150 Easy and Delicious Recipes to Lose Weight and Feel Better Fast
  • Flip Dolls & Other Toys That Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab & Go
  • Healthy at Home: Get Well and Stay Well Without Prescriptions
  • Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth
  • Integrative Wellness Rules: A Simple Guide to Healthy Living
  • Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us
  • How Stella Saved the Farm: A Tale About Making Innovation Happen
  • The Virgin Diet: Drop 7 Foods, Lose 7 Pounds, Just 7 Days
  • The Easy Organizer: 365 Tips for Conquering Clutter
  • The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food
  • Probiotics For Dummies
  • Beyond Sugar Shock: The 6-Week Plan to Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction & Get Slimmer, Sexier & Sweeter
  • Small Business For Dummies
  • Starting An Etsy Business For Dummies
  • Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make with Your Kids
  • The Beauty Detox Solution: Eat Your Way to Radiant Skin, Renewed Energy and the Body You've Always Wanted
  • A Woman's Guide to a Healthy Stomach: Taking Control of Your Digestive Health
  • Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind
  • Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It
  • Terra Madre: Forging a New Global Network of Sustainable Food Communities
  • The Hundred Year Diet: America's Voracious Appetite For Losing Weight
  • Twelve by Twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream
  • Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends from Felt
  • Bread Matters: The State of Modern Bread and a Definitive Guide to Baking Your Own
  • Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Small Indulgences
  • Success With Baby Chicks
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    Do you dream about living the simple life?  Your own idyllic farm where the cows moo and the veggies are the best you've ever eaten? I've got a surprise for you, homesteading isn't easy! Join me at my small eco family farm where we stumble often, and learn as we go. This is indeed the good life, but it is also a very hard life that only rewards for that hard work... or not!  Back to the land, it's tough and I love it.Hi there! My name is Jen. I'm a "tree hugging dirt worshiper" who has been organically farming for nearly two decades. It never ceases to amaze me at how much I've learned & how much I am still learning. I have studied natural health, nutrition, & herbs for nearly three decades. Our health & the natural world around us are connected in ways we don't often realize. How we treat the land & animals directly affects us in both body & mind. My goal is to provide others with truly natural humane goods from my own little piece of paradise, & to freely pass along whatever knowledge I pick up along the way. I am grateful every day to be able to have such a worthwhile & fulfilling job surrounded by the beauty & unpredictability of Mother Nature.

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