Recent Reads & Recipes

After pigging out on pizza back in November I was so determined to improve my diet once my job changed. Due to our busy schedules and working late the fridge was constantly empty and pizza deliveries became a regular thing (our recycling bin is now far less full than it used to be!), it got to the point where I was dreaming of home cooked meals and exercise. Over the Christmas period I was surprisingly good with portion control and balancing my meals, but now we’re half way in to January, things are getting pretty gloomy and it’s easy to lapse back in to comport eating. To keep myself motivated and the fridge full of food, I’ve been making sure to immerse myself in healthy recipes, amongst other foodie reads.

After Christmas I took all of my cook books out from the back of our kitchen cupboards (literally gathering dust back there) and displayed them on our kitchen counter for easy access. This way I can flick through whilst I’m cooking and bookmark new recipes – making sure I don’t forget to pick them up on my next shop. This reminds me to actually go food shopping, and keeps the fridge full of different ingredients.  Some of my favourites are:

LEON Soups, Salads & Snacks: A great one whether you’re a little peckish or looking for lighter lunch ideas. The soup recipes are simple if you’re a newbie (or just uncreative – *points at self*) when it comes to the kitchen.

LEON Fast Suppers: Slightly less on the healthy size, but a goodie for super quick dishes that require minimal fuss. There are also some slightly different takes on more traditional meals which helps if you’re looking to jazz up your regular routine a little.

Neal’s Yard Healing Foods: A great book for those who want to come right back to basics and learn about individual ingredients as well as lots of super healthy recipes. It’s definitely something to sink your teeth in to!

Honourable mentions also go out to Cosmopolitans BODY Magazine – great for keeping healthy eating fresh in your mind and the Cook With M&S app – because their recipes just make me drool with excitement.

34 Comments

  1. Dressed with soul
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:04 am

    Sounds healthy and good what you eat at the moment! Honestly I prefer it always to cook by myself with fresh and seasonal ingredients as I so know what I eat – also when I'm busy as cooking is relaxing me ๐Ÿ™‚ Wish you further many success!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

  2. ThisGirlLovesChic
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:18 am

    I love recipe books! great post

    This Girl Loves Chic

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    xx

  3. Claudine Fessey
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:21 am

    Finding time to cook healthy meals can seem impossible! It is so good though that you are trying to. I love the photo of you reading the cook book, so cute ๐Ÿ™‚
    – C
    Claudine Converses

  4. sophiesmakeupblog
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:43 am

    I really love the sound of the Leon books. I'm really trying to eat in season and learn whats good for my body. Eat pretty is a really good book for the different benefits each ingredient has and tips for eating in season x

    SophiesMakeupBlog

  5. Josie
    14 Jan 2015 / 9:14 am

    I didn't realise Leon did cook books! Charlie has been doing a juice cleanse and is following the Paleo diet, so I often eat with him and am immediately noticed how much brighter I feel!

    Josie XOXO
    Fashion Mumblr

  6. Francesca Picano
    14 Jan 2015 / 10:02 am

    I'm generally quite healthy anyway but these have intrigued me, thank you x

    annaboho.blogspot.co.uk

  7. Sandra Nimako - Boatey
    14 Jan 2015 / 10:04 am

    This post is such perfect timing as I've been thinking of getting a couple of recipe books! Thanks Suzie. I adore Leon's so will definitely pick up one of those!

  8. Lucy
    14 Jan 2015 / 10:13 am

    I've been thinking about getting a few Leon books for a while, not only would their covers jazz up any old kitchen bookshelf, but the recipes sound delicious. Both of the ones you have sound fab, particularly Soups, Salads and Snacks, mmm!

    She's So Lucy

  9. Antonia
    14 Jan 2015 / 10:32 am

    I love the Leon cookbooks, they have some great recipes in there!

    Antonia x | Fifi and the Diamonds

  10. Jemimah A
    14 Jan 2015 / 12:14 pm

    love it
    http://exitwonds.blogspot.co.uk/

  11. faith pierce
    14 Jan 2015 / 12:29 pm

    I will have to check these out! Thank you for the recommendations Suzie. I too hit that feeling where I just wanted a nice, healthy meal at home. I was getting a lot of thai takeout before the holiday season and having so little energy to cook. I got a crock pot which has really helped to revive my kitchen. Since I have a new (and easy way) to prep food it has made a big difference!

    xx
    Faith

  12. Roseann
    14 Jan 2015 / 1:31 pm

    We love the LEON books in our house. Our favourite recipe is Best Bolognaise – it really is amazing and fab for cooking in bulk and then freezing for easy meals mid-week.

    www.honeybourneline.co.uk

  13. Karen McCourt
    14 Jan 2015 / 1:39 pm

    I love LEON books! I have two but like you, they are mainly decoration at the moment, damn those attractive front covers! Definitely a resolution of mine to cook more!! Would love to see some recipes on your blog! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Karen x
    http://themixandmatchblog.com/

  14. Sara Chergui
    14 Jan 2015 / 1:54 pm

    This book looks so nice ! Love the pictures !

    Giveaway, win a pair of Polette glasses !
    http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr

  15. Savannah Giersthove
    14 Jan 2015 / 1:57 pm

    That book looks amazing! x http://www.justsavxnnah.com

  16. Charlotte Roberts
    14 Jan 2015 / 3:59 pm

    Your makeup looks lovely! X
    http://charlottesophiaroberts.blogspot.co.uk

  17. IsabellaHope
    14 Jan 2015 / 4:53 pm

    I find it so hard to eat healthily at this time of year, and having a good cookbook is so helpful for that! x

    Isabella Hope

  18. Moira Parton
    14 Jan 2015 / 6:08 pm

    I really need to start eating healthier but my mom cooks most of our meals at the moment so I just don't bother so much. I eat avocados? x

    http://moiraparton.blogspot.co.uk/

  19. Beautyosaurus Lex
    14 Jan 2015 / 6:13 pm

    Lovely post! I just started a series on my Youtube channel called "Beauty and the Book"! I love books and incorporating them in my blog and on my channel is SO much fun ๐Ÿ™‚

    Beautyosaurus Lex

  20. rae t
    14 Jan 2015 / 6:39 pm

    This book sounds amazing, I will definitely be looking to add it to my collection. Thanks for the tip!

    Rae | love from berlin

  21. Clever Girl Reviews
    14 Jan 2015 / 6:57 pm

    If you're looking for meatless monday inspiration, I'd recommend Plenty and Plenty More!

  22. Leona Goodey
    14 Jan 2015 / 7:35 pm

    So guilty of snacking on sugary foods when i get back from school so it's great to find small meals that can fill me up without being too unhealthy! Love your posts <3

    Leona x

    http://leonagoodey.blogspot.co.uk/

  23. rebekah maryx
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:10 pm

    food books have become my new addiction lately these look good

    http://rebekahmaryx.blogspot.co.uk/

  24. Alana Says...
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:16 pm

    I love Leon cookbooks xx

    Alana Saysโ€ฆ//www.alana-says.blogspot.co.uk//Fashion and lifestyle blog

  25. Amalie Soderberg
    14 Jan 2015 / 8:49 pm

    These books are not only helpful, but also extremely cute x.

    jeansandmacaroons.blogspot.com

  26. Margery Ho
    14 Jan 2015 / 9:46 pm

    This is a lovely post! x

    Blogย |ย Marjorie

  27. Natalie Collins
    14 Jan 2015 / 11:04 pm

    I'd buy Leon's cook book purely for the cover. x
    Natalie's

  28. Champagne Lifestyle
    15 Jan 2015 / 9:31 am

    Great books! I might have to get the Leon's snack book ๐Ÿ™‚ love the post

    http://www.champagne-lifestyle.com/

  29. Marlous k
    15 Jan 2015 / 10:42 am

    I really need to get myself some cook books!
    Love the post ๐Ÿ™‚
    X

    http://blushing-skies.blogspot.com

  30. Emily McCue
    15 Jan 2015 / 6:19 pm

    I love reading through cook books for inspiration. Love the look of the Leon books!

    www.emandthem.co.uk

  31. Kate Wilson
    17 Jan 2015 / 2:28 pm

    I'm glad you're getting more into the cooking side of things! x
    http://my–socalledlife.blogspot.com.es/

  32. Daisy
    17 Jan 2015 / 4:22 pm

    I picked up Neal's Yard Healing Foods and I'm looking forward to browsing through it this weekend. I also have a couple of the Leon books, they're put together very well!

  33. Laura Rose
    17 Jan 2015 / 5:56 pm

    love the leon books! i got fast suppers and one pot for christmas

    Rose and Weston x

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