Customer Reviews

The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This cookbook was a very helpful addition to my library. I have tried 7 recipes so far and my husband and kids loved them all. I can't believe it! My 11-year-old has multiple food allergies and my 5-year-old's allergist suggested that we try to go organic because of some ADHD-type issues (possible allergies to food additives, pesticides or preservatives?) and this seems to be a perfect resource.

I like the juxtaposition of simple recipes for meat and potatoes types like my husband (meatloaf, swedish meatballs, coleslaw, chocolate cake, apple and cherry pie, mashed potatoes, cream soups, soft pretzels, shepherd's pie, chili, pot pie, banana bread, cornbread) with the more sophisticated recipes for things like osso bucco, chicken marsala, pomegranite glazed rock cornish game hens, curried lamb, and vietnamese summer rolls.

You get an authentic feeling when the author writes about her italian dishes. She often gives familial/personal anecdotes which are fun to read. I wish my food heritage was so rich!

As for some of the negative comments I've seen here, I'm surprized. Substitutes are always offered for people with severe wheat allergies. She has a section where she talks about mixing types of flour (specifically as an alternative to spelt) to get optimal results and she offers another book as a resource. In the beer-batter chicken nugget recipe, she suggests a specific brand of wheat-free beer (and, by the way, the alcohol cooks out). I agree about the chopped livers, sorry...but there are 199 other recipes I'll try. She has included a great pantry list.

I found spectrum oils at my local health food store. The author also included a resource section and the website for spectrum oils is there. To the person who couldn't find Spectrum, maybe ask Spectrum directly where your closest source may be?

It's so frustrating when the world seems to be trying to hurt your child by mislabeling, misdiagnosing and misunderstanding allergies. Your temper can get the better of you; mine has. I believe this cookbook may be one of a few that offers real advice and real alternatives.

Cybele -

I think your next cookbook should come with a string attached - so moms of allergenic children can wear it around their neck for easy reference. =) I'm talking about your book almost obsessively, because many of my friends have children that are allergic to foods. I don't know what I would do without this book. It offers families with multiple allergies a chance to have some normalcy in their diet...and everything tastes SO good. You really know how to create food that children (and parents) will enjoy.

My son is allergic to wheat, dairy, soy, coconut, chocolate, tomatoes, and strawberries. I nursed him almost 2 years, so I had to avoid those things as well. Trying to avoid wheat and dairy have taken more reading and research than my MBA program! I'm now 7 months pregnant with my second son, and doing everything in my power to avoid allergenic foods on his behalf. We use your book all the time.

Your book is such a gift to foodies that have to avoid mainstream ingredients. I could give you such a huge hug just for how you enabled us to have "normal" cakes and cookies at birthday parties for my son. That means so much to me to give him some sense of normalcy. We LOVE your oatmeal cookie recipe - it's a standard fare around here. =)

Truly, I could go on and on...

I keep sending a copy of your book to each new mom I find that has to avoid ingredients. Please keep up your GREAT work. It's such a needed tool for moms in situations like ours. If you ever come out with a sequel, put me on your list!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

*Be sure to check out sample recipe before you purchase this book.* I'm most disappointed with the baking recipes. My son has multiple food allergies and the most challenge I have is baking with no gluten, eggs or dairy. This book avoids wheat, but uses barley flour, spelt flour instead, both of those contain gluten. Also, if you're looking for recipe to cook for your toddlers/young children with multiple food allergies, this may not be the book for you. The recipes use many ingredients and most of them are not so easy. With an active toddler and food allergies, I don't have time to cook these complicated food.

I think I have almost all food allergy cookbooks out there and this has got to be the best one on my shelf. My family has turned to homecooking and building my food allergic child's immune system to deal with these food allergies. Through the use of probiotics, organic and unprocessed foods, and alternative medicine, I have witnessed her improvement in daily hives. This is the first cookbook I have read, pertaining to food allergies, that uses the healthy fats -(stable, high Omega fatty acid oils) , a variety of grains, no soy, herbs, alternative healthy sweetners and IS allergen free recipes like it claims. Of great importance, the author explains the benefits of organic meats, and emphasizes the increadible flavors you can get with maple sugar, molasses, and honey. My family will no longer be eating plain, grilled chicken with rice and greens, but flavorful, nutritionally dense meals.
Debbie RN, Food Allergy Support Group leader--Tampa, FL

Dear Readers:

I don't know how else to get this message out to you other than posting it on a review. If you are looking for a GLUTEN-FREE and ALLERGEN-FREE cookbook, please check out my brand new book, The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook. Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook It is completely GLUTEN-FREE. The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook is WHEAT-FREE, but NOT GLUTEN-FREE. If you are looking for GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES, TRY MY OTHER BOOK! Thanks! Cybele Pascal

As I've aged, I've discovered that I cannot tolerate certain foods anymore. I purchased this cookbook hoping to find alternatives to the foods I love and I couldn't be happier with the selections.
It's intelligent and helpful, particularly the shopping list.
I've even started cooking again, after a few years of "take out" foods. I made the orange cake and served it to guests. No one had any idea it was not made with flour, eggs, etc. and everyone loved it. Thank you Cybele.

I believe this is the best food allergy cookbook out there in terms of variety and flavor. However, I do believe the author fails to address product cross-contamination. I'm not sure if she is aware that some children can be sensitized and can suffer a reaction by a non-allergenic food that was produced on the same equipment as another food their child IS allergic to. Therefore you should READ ALL LABELS!

For example, she recommends Mochi, a Japanese pastry type sheet made of rice (generally a non-allergenic food). The problem is that all of the Mochi manufacturers make this product using equipment that is also used to process nut and peanut products. This is not good if you have been told to avoid nut and peanut products. Also, the oils she recommends are bottled on the same equipment with unrefined nut and seed oils, like sesame (call Spectrum to verify) What's the big deal you say? Well, if you are allergic to nuts or sesame seeds, it is the same thing as ingesting a nut or seed. This is where you have to be careful.

I think some other reviewers just don't get the point: If a non-allergenic food is made on equipment shared with allergenic food, it now becomes allergenic. It is just that simple. The author is probably not really aware that you can get a reaction by using Mochi and the oils she recommends (see page 160 - she really does say "use Spectrum")

I do thank the author for a good book but on any future editions I believe the cross-contamination issues need to be addressed.

I got this book last week and have already made the Sweet Potato Cranberry Muffins for my daughter's class party, and the Coconut Squares for my work party. They were both delicious. My daughter and I do not eat wheat, dairy, or anything made with cane sugar, so these were great to have. The Coconut Squares were a little too sweet for me, but other people loved them.

I also made the Beer-Battered Chicken Nuggets for my daughter's lunch last week. She loved them. And I was happy to find out that Corona is not made from wheat! (so I finished it off) I find the shopping list and brand list very helpful. I look forward to trying out the Shepard's Pie and the Porcini Risotto. I'll post another review after I try them.

I have been searching for creative things to cook with limited ingredients for so long. This cookbook is great! I love how the author has adapted such exotic and fun recipes. I really liked the orange zucchini bread.

We don't have a Whole Foods store where I live but I was able to find a lot of things at Walmart and a little natural food store we have here.

So much is unique about this cookbook. The author, Cybele Pascal, guides the reader using a clear cut and uncomplicated approach to cooking allergen-free whole foods for the entire family.

As a parent of an older teen anaphylactic to peanut and soy, I recommend this cookbook to those who are new at avoiding allergens in their cooking; but I also recommend it most enthusiastically for those who have adjusted to this challenge, but are looking for some more information as to how to make their child's meals, snacks and desserts delicious and varied while avoiding allergens.

This cookbook answers so many questions I have had in my wish to steer clear or processed food, cook allergen free, and stock my kitchen with ingredients that will make my family healthier and more satisfied, despite the dietary restriction imposed by my child's serious food allergy.

Many families today are confronted with cooking for several of their children all of whom may have varying and conflicting allergies. This book is for them, and it would make a great gift for a grandmother or aunt who is looking for guidance on cooking for allergic relatives when they visit.

What I most like about the book is the education provided on stocking the pantry, fridge and freezer. To find someone as young as this author familiar with ingredients, where to purchase them, and their benefit to overall health is rare and valuable. She leads the way for those of us faced with cooking for the food allergic; and she does so in such an exciting way.

Imagine a source of meals everyone can eat despite food allergies.

No matter what the setting (home, grandma's, camp, school, daycare) this book is the solution. Meals can be prepared that will be safe and delicious for a crowd, allergic and non allergic.

Thank you, Cybele Pascal!! You have taken your personal challenge and applied your unique background in food to come to the aid of so many; and you make it all so simple to follow.

Bravo!!!