The Back in the Swing Cookbook by Barbara C. Unell & Judith Fertig {cookbook review}

The Back in the Swing Cookbook

 Recipes for Eating and Living Well Every Day After Breast Cancer

authors:  Barbara C. Unell & Judith Fertig
publisher: Andrews McMeel
photos: yes
hard cover: 261 pages

chapters/sections:  Desserts - Breakfast - Beverages - Appetizers and Snacks - Salads and Side Dishes - Soups, Stews, Risottos, and More - The Main Event

fun features:  A fabulous introduction from Barbara Unell, author and survivor - she shares her story and talks about Back in the Swing and breast cancer survivorship.  It is followed up by Basics of this cookbook: Back in the Swing Key Foods, "the shopping cart", To Soy or Not to Soy, and Thoughts on Living Well.

(a few of the many) recipes destined for my kitchen:  Poached Cherries with Honey Cream and Fresh Mint, Spice Cake with Honeyed Carrot Topping, Brown Sugar and Walnut Meringues with Fresh Strawberries, Whole Wheat and Flaxseed Baguettes, Ricotta and Parsley Gnocchi with Slow-Simmered Tomato Sauce with Red Wine, Power Pilaf

my thoughts/review:  This is more than just a cookbook.  It's full of stunning photography, inspirational quotes, and fun "treats of the day".  A Treat of the Day could be a list of the top 25 musicals of all time, information about meditation going mainstream, a good reason (in case you were looking) to watch a comedy, or an excuse (again...in case you were looking) to go shopping!  But that's not it, there are pertinent news briefs (Did You Hear the News?) about everything from kale to pumpkin seeds to the power of a smile.

This book is as good for the heart and the soul as it is for the belly.  A great read that I'd recommend for any woman, anybody dealing with breast cancer, and survivors of breast cancer.

recipe(s) I have already tried:  Brambleberry Crisp - It's pretty much a guarantee that I'm going to love any sort of crisp, cobbler, or pie.  This one with a mix of sour cherries, strawberries, raspberries (and any other kind of berries you want to throw in) is no exception.  Hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - perfection!

Roasted Rosemary Garbanzo Snacks - In a word: ADDICTIVE.  Crunchy on the outside with a tiny bit of tender-give on the inside. Rosemary and sea salt.  Great poppin' food.

about the authors and the cause:  

Barbara C. Unell is the founder of Back in the Swing, and the author of a dozen books about healthy family living. The creator of many national publications and nonprofit programs, she has been an educator and media contributor on social issues around the country, appearing on Oprah, NPR, Good Morning America and NBC Nightly News, and in the New York Times. (I'm gonna go ahead and dub her a superhero, too - see below for explanation.)

Judith Fertig is a food lifestyle writer and cookbook author (and someone I greatly admire - a cookbook-writing superhero).  She has written for Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Saveur, Vegetarian Times, and the New York Times. Her previous books include Prairie Home Cooking and Prairie Home Breads, as well as six BBQ titles she coauthored with Karen Adler. She resides in Overland Park, Kansas.

Back in the Swing is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting joyful, healthy and proactive living through innovative fund-raising events, inspiring survivorship programs, and clinical research in an academic medical setting.

Founded in 2000, Back in the Swing focuses exclusively on the survivor - the person - in partnership with fun-loving, passionate supporters of breast cancer survivors across the country.

Unlike other organizations that focus on breast cancer - the disease -Back in the Swing champions the survivor and his or her unique zest for getting back in the swing of life!

further info for Back in the Swing: website | facebook | twitter

*I received a free copy of this book to review from the publisher.  All thoughts and opinions stated in this post are 100% mine.

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