Customer Reviews

Set for Life: Eat More, Weigh Less, Feel Terrific

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My mother-in-law introduced me to this book, and now, my husband and I are hooked. The recipes are healthy, practical, and delicious. Along with the recipes, the authors give sound advice on living an all around healthy life. I found the chapter for expecting and nursing mothers especially insightful. If you want to eat healthy, feel healthy, and look healthy without sacrificing the joy of a scrumptious meal, this book is for you. Make it your treasure book of sound advice and delicious recipes.

This is not a book about dieting. It is a book about living. It is a realistic, timeless approach to exercise and eating. Fads come and go, set-for-life will stand the test of time. The recipes, though whole grained based, are very mainstream and easy to make. Unless I want to grind my own wheat (which is actually a lot of fun), I can purchase most the ingrediants at a normal grocery store. I have also learned to quickly recognize recipes from other sources that adhere to the set-point lifestyle, or that can easily be adjusted. The chapter on breads, rolls and muffins has literally changed my life. I did not grow up with fresh home-made bread. My kids will. The authors teach you step-by-step how to make large batches so that you can freeze some of the dough. The frozen dough is so easy to pull out of the freezer and bake. I believe if people only realized how delicious bread could be, and how enjoyable it is to make, all those wimpy grocery store bread companies would be out of business. By adhering to the guidlines set forth in this book, I have sacrificed nothing and gained much. Thank you Jane Merrill and Karen Sunderland for sharing your wisdom and recipes in this book.

and when I need to lose weight, I always end up back with it and it works. It's not an all protein diet, it's not a no carb diet, it's the diet that your body needs to be nourished - low-fat, high fiber, low sugar, adequate protein. It's a tasty, easy and satisfying way to eat.

I would never call this a "diet", it's just a healthy way to eat for life.

I had Jane Merrill sign this book for me when I bought it in 1990 and it's one I use often. Great nutrition advice as well as wonderful recipes. I have found her whole wheat bread recipes and tips especially helpful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle!

If you are looking for healthy recipes for everyday items that many people eat often, this is the cookbook for you.
If you want the best homemade bread recipe ever, this book's Set-Point bread recipe is the one for you.
If you are looking for a healthier way to make favorite desserts, this book is for you.
If you are looking for realistic, functional alternatives and substitutes that will help you be healthier, this is the book for you.
In addition to good recipes, this book also contains suggestions for lifestyle changes and a schedule and set of lists to jumpstart those changes.
This is not an Italian cookbook, or a French cookbook. The majority of the recipes truly are for more everyday things, like basic entrees, baked goods, desserts, breakfasts and such.
A very useful addition to the person or family that is wanting to make healthy changes in their eating habits and even lifestyle.

This wonderful 300+ page cookbook has many things to offer a person who is looking to make nutritional improvements in their diet and beneficial lifestyle changes. The beginning chapters offer specific information regarding proper exercise, eating habits and menu planning. There is no earthshattering new information, but rather a sensible reminder to all that is included in getting (and staying) healthy. Their recipes are simple, practical, and include normal, easy-to-find ingredients. I especially appreciate their bread section which includes using freshly milled whole wheat flour (whenever possible). There is very specific info on breadmaking, such as 8 secrets to perfect breadmaking, how to freeze dough, how to rise (incl. a quick-rise method). Some of my favorite bread recipes include their whole wheat bread, squaw bread, and seven grain variety. The book also includes photographs on how to shape braided loaves, crescent rolls, cinnamon rolls, etc. The other recipe sections include Breakfast (one of my favorite is Blender Pancakes using whole grains), Soups, Salads, Quick breads, Main dishes, Desserts, etc. I have tried many of them and have liked 95 percent of them. My only reason for not giving this book a 5 star rating is that there are some "questionable" healthy ingredients such as canned soups, corn syrup, etc. I have recommended this book to many friends who agree with me that it is their favorite "healthy eating" cookbook.

We are a grain milling family. We mill our grains and make all baked goods using freshly milled grains. I was looking for a book that would help me to mill and bake low fat, high fiber type foods for weight loss. I have always believed that Low carb dieting is not realistic, nor is it livable as a lifestyle for us. However, the desire to lose weight automatically makes me think I have to "go without" the living, vitamin filled baked goods I make for my family.
This book is so full of great recipes, especially heart healthy breads and baked goods, which is what my family thrives on! This is all stuff I can eat and still lose weight. This is a great resource as a whole grain "cookbook" or for someone like me, who is looking to trim down a bit and yet still eat freshly milled whole grains.

This is the only cookbook in 30+ years of cooking that I have literally used to death. I am online today buying my second copy of "Set for Life" It's interresting to note that this book has been in print for almost 20 years, but the fitness principles - don't diet! Exercise regularly! Cut fats and sugars! - still apply today! Jane Merrill not only explains the proper nutritional guidelines, she shows with her great recipes that eating right can be a breeze! The whole wheat breads are all delicious and easy. The blender pancakes have been a staple and we love the alternative pancake syrups, sauces and toppings. Taco soup has also become a regular at our house! There are not very many seafood recipes, but in Idaho, we don't see a lot of seafood. Many of the recipes reflect a western background (Ranchero beans, sloppy joes, and many uses for Idaho potatoes!) If you want a taste of down-home cooking, I highly recommend this book.

I found this in a secondhand shop years ago as a newlywed and it has been my most used cookbook. The recipes I've made the most from it are the cinnamon rolls, the dinner rolls that make up in an hour, the gingerbread cake, the molasses cookies, the homemade maple syrup, and the drop biscuits. Plus tons more that are so delicious. I never really think of it as a diet book because the recipes are so full of flavor and just as satisfying as any other good recipe you would make from a regular cookbook. It's a great basic to have in your kitchen!

I have been using this cook book for over ten years and it is fantastic. I bought this particular copy for my daughter so she could better handle dietary challenges she faces with her family. Excellent book. It's worth buying for the bread recipes alone, yet the other recipes are wonderful.