Book Buzz

By: Jill Gunderson

Hi Neighbors, and Happy April!

I’m coming to you this month with something a little different, a little tastier, and a little more active! A cookbook! As a mom of four trying to keep up with all the different likes/dislikes and busy schedules, I’m all about finding recipes that will be a hit for all six members of my family. Just Eat by Jessie James Decker is full of some of our family faves!

 So, where to start? Breakfast, of course! With weekday mornings being busy and having no time to actually prepare something nutritious before the kids run out the door as backpacks are half opened and shoelaces are still untied (I digress) …the Get Fit Strawberry Smoothie is a HIT! Strawberries can also easily be interchanged with what you may have in your fridge, as well as your protein of choice! It’s easy to make a big batch of them and send them to school to sip in the car on the way to drop-off. When I do have time, the French Kiss Toast is a fan fav, as is the Ooey-Gooey Almond Butter Banana Bread (with chocolate chips that are optional). The bread also freezes well, so you can take it out the night before to have it ready in the morning!

My youngest is definitely my pickiest eater, and lucky for her, there’s a whole section dedicated to kids! From a DIY Snack Mix to Homemade Chicken Tenders, there is something for even the pickiest of eaters.

 One of my personal favorites is Jessie’s Pasta Lovers section. You can make classic American Spaghetti or something for the more sophisticated palate—Mussels Linguine. Are you drooling yet? The One-Pot Ground Turkey Rigatoni is an easy crowd-pleaser, especially for the cook! (Can we all say ‘one-pot’ together? Easy cleanup!!)

A recipe I will be coming back to time and time again is the Oven-Roasted Honey Brussel Sprouts that are addicting! They pair well with chicken, fish, and pot roast. Also, The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup (that I actually make in my crock-pot instead of a Dutch oven) goes fantastic with the Go-To Mexican Chopped Salad (I add chicken to it, as well). And the Caesar Salad By Yours Truly goes perfectly with the Ground Beef Lasagna (that I sub ground turkey in). 

 To finish off this salivating list, I most definitely did not forget drinks and desserts! The Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet is a fun Sunday night dinner dessert, and if you top it with vanilla ice-cream? It gives the ol’ Pizookie a run for its money! The Grapefruit Paloma and Coconut Lemonade are easy drinks to wow any guest. And if we’re talking parties, head over the Pizza Party section where she shares 4 amazing pizzas to shake up your nightly pizza delivery routine.

 This is Jessie’s second cookbook, and her first cookbook Just Feed Me is one you’ll devour your way through as well! 

 Happy reading (and cooking) neighbors!

XO

Jill Gunderson

@ThatShelfLove

@JillGundersonAuthor