SIX REALLY GOOD COOKBOOKS...

Up until about a year ago, I never really collected anything. I don't like clutter and collections of things can sometimes mess with my self-diagnosed OCD. But I can now officially say that I am collecting cookbooks and I am ok with it! The collection wasn't planned, but I've realized over time that they are really something I really enjoy. I love flipping through them, looking at the photography and styling, and seeing how various ingredients are combined to make something delicious and beautiful. This year, I have really focused on healthy, whole foods and I feel SO much better. So naturally, most of the cookbooks I'm loving lately reflect that...

1. True Food: My brother always gets me a cookbook for Christmas and he got me this particular one last year. It is by Dr. Andrew Weil, who is known for his expertise on healthy food and healthy skin. The book has wonderful essays on the affects of eating an anti-inflammatory diet, which is a diet that is heavily based on whole, pure foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins. This type of diet tends to heal the body in natural ways and reduces the body's reliability on medication. I personally hate taking medicine, so I'm enjoying learning more about this diet. The recipes are easy and extremely original. The photography is amazing as well...

2. Giada's Feel Good Food:  I heart Giada because she has the ability to come up with quick and simple recipes that are always full of flavor. This is her latest cookbook and the inspiration behind three of the recipes I've posted here this year (Red Riser Juice, Avocodo Hummus Dip, Soba Noodle Salad), so this book is truly a favorite for me. The most frequent question she is asked is, "How do you stay so small??" Her answer is genetics, eating healthy meals and small portions of the not-so-healthy meals. In the book, she shares some of her favorite quick and easy healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time. Outside of food, she gets personal. She gives you glimpse inside of her bag, shows you how she organizes her suitcase for travel (I LOVED her tips), and gives you the scoop on her popular manicure. Oh.. and my brother is amazing because he got me this cookbook, too... :)

3. Whole Grain Mornings: Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but it is my favorite meal of the day! That means I scooped this book up as soon as it came out. Author Megan Gordon is the blogger behind the beautiful food blog, A Sweet Spoonful and her book is just as beautiful. Whole grain breakfast foods are known for not being as pleasing to the eye or taste buds as the usual alternatives, but Megan has a way of making the food look fabulous and her creative recipes make the food taste amazing. The Very, Very Best Oatmeal is one of my favorites... The stories she tells in the book are entertaining as well.  I could see this is as a book I will reference when I have children so that I can get them used to starting their day off with simple and healthy meals. That makes this book even more special to me.

4. Love, Bake, Nourish: So I am pretty comfortable when it comes to making healthy meals. But I'm not so comfortable when it comes to make healthy desserts. The whole substituting regular flour for spelt flour or whole wheat flour or buckwheat flour - I don't get it. But I want to get it and this book will help me out. It's full of healthy desserts that are full of flavor and look incredibly beautiful. I'm inspired...

5. Plenty: I make it a goal to try to eat a fresh vegetable or two at every meal - including breakfast (I put them in my morning smoothie). So I am really attracted to cookbooks that introduce creative ways of making a variety of vegetables. That's what I love about this cookbook. The recipes are original and not too fussy. If you aren't big into vegetables, the stunning photos might entice you to change your mind. They are just that good.

6. Shake: Ok so this book might not be a "healthy" cookbook per se, but I had to add this one in here because it's good. And spring and summer are coming up and there is nothing like a good cocktail in the spring or summer. The book is full of seasonal cocktails that almost look too pretty to drink. They are super creative, too. One of the drinks in the book is called the "Montauk Mule." Another one is called "The L Train." That might give you an idea of how creative this book is...

What are some of your favorite cookbooks??