Reviews

Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Morris became interested in superfoods-"a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being"-while working with the superfood company Navitas Naturals. Despite ingredients that many people may be unfamiliar with, this book is surprisingly accessible. Morris explains exactly what superfood is, its many supposed benefits, how to incorporate superfoods into your diet, and how to shop. Included are sections titled "The Need for Nutrient Density" and "The New Superfood Pantry," touting items like acai berry, an Amazonian berry containing concentrated antioxidants, healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats, as well as many vitamins and minerals; chai seed, similar to flaxseed, that the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans used for strength and stamina; and maca, a radish-like root that fights different stresses. Morris offers plant-based, nutrient-dense recipes of all kinds; breakfast bars-a lemon-coconut chocolate as well as one made with gogi berries (which have 18 amino acids); soups such as pumpkin, and kale, and black-eyed pea; and entrees like zucchini fettuccine with mega marinara, and pomegranate-glazed portobello steaks over lemony spinach. An ingredient resource guide takes the guesswork out of finding everything you need for these "simple recipes that can fuel an energetic lifestyle." (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Converts to organic, power, and other good-for-you foods tend to be in-your-face proselytizers, promoting acai berries or quinoa or yacon (a South America tuber) regardless of price or local availability. In a sense, they stray from today's locavore and seasonal ingredients trends finding nori sheets, for example, in a nonurban neighborhood is far less satisfying than putting together a broccoli and nut salad. Morris is no different, though certainly not as strident. She starts with her personal nutritional journey as she began to understand the power of Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI). The more than 100 recipes aside, Morris details what's needed to create a superfood kitchen and pantry, cataloging ingredients from acai berries to yacon with flavor notes, recommended forms, and best uses. Techniques, too, receive their own focus, with discussions of equipment conventional (e.g., blender) as well as nontraditional, such as the dehydrator. Helpful appendixes include a superfood substitution cheat sheet, conversion charts, how to make nut and seed milks, frequently asked questions, and an ingredient resources guide.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2010 Booklist