Book Review: 100 Days of Food On A Budget

The subtitle of this book continues, "Simple Tips and Tasty Recipes to Help You Cut Out Processed Food Without Breaking the Bank." Cost is such a big concern I find when people consider making dietary changes from what they consider convenience and often overly processed foods to more whole and real foods. Lisa Leake and her family's entire experience of transforming their eating is what ultimately created the "100daysofrealfood" blog after she read Michael Pollan's book In Defense of Food. I have followed the "100daysofrealfood" blog since before there was a first book and have been impressed with the first two books. I anxiously awaited this 3rd cookbook’s arrival and preordered it last November when I first heard about it.

This 3rd book from Lisa really hits it out of the park visually the way each recipe’s budget is laid out (with a color photo and shopping list) in a clearly organized manner. Multiple dietary accommodations are shown with the recipes (ie: gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, etc.) as well as in a convenient table in the back of the book for handy reference. The dinner plans, supermarket comparison prices (some may surprise you) and packed lunch ideas for kids and adults all provide valuable time and money saving information for those seeking to use real foods in their kitchen. On top of all of these positive attributes, the recipes themselves use accessible ingredients and are not complicated. Lisa’s own children contributed recipes that look delicious and should encourage members of all ages in families to cook real food!

I am excited to share with all of you, that earlier this year, I was thrilled to be selected as a recipe tester for this cookbook! I was sent 3 recipes to make and provide feedback on regarding the actual cost of the items, making the recipe and our family's opinion of the actual recipe. Lisa was really interested in all of these aspects and I will add that I was able to be chosen to select dairy and gluten free recipes to test. The attention to detail in this book to dietary preferences as well as to cost in order to make eating real food accessible for everyone really shows and there are so many great recipes in it. 

I was also chosen to be a launch team member so I am able to share the following recipe with you to try yourself at home and also to see how the recipes are laid out. Note the budget details and dietary notations. If you are following a Whole30™ substitute cauliflower rice for the brown rice. I've made this recipe and it is really tasty and easy to make. I hope you enjoy it!