Joy Bauer’s Food Cures

A few months ago, I was contacted by Joy Bauer’s “people” and asked if I’d like to check out her cookbooks.  While I don’t watch much daytime television, I was intrigued by the premise behind her cookbooks – one titled Slim & Scrumptious and the other, Food Cures (both affiliate links) – I mean, I obviously believe you can eat well (both health-wise and deliciously) by cooking at home, but Food Cures focuses on common ‘problem spots’ in people’s lives and how to solve them by eating better.  Problems like weight loss, arthritis, looking good (broken down into skin, hair, etc.), heart disease, diabetes, migraines… managing these things aided by diet alone.  Without resorting to medication (as possible, of course consult your physician before making any drastic changes!) – sounds good to me. 

While I was playing around with the cookbooks, though, I was invited to a luncheon celebrating the launch of the updated edition of Food Cures. 

Held at the lovely Muse (Kimpton Hotel) in Midtown, we were greeted with glasses of prosecco or seltzer, and then seated with menus at our seats.  The really cute thing about these menus?  The backing paper for the vellum menu was actually paper that had basil seeds embedded into it, so the fine print on the bottom of the menu had planting instructions.  Eco-friendly – love it! 

Joy, a tiny woman who was effusively passionate about her topics, came up to speak to us about each course, what aspect of our health they were meant to promote, why she’d chosen that dish, and answered any questions we shouted out at her. 

Our first course arrived, and I admit that I stared skeptically at it.  It looked like it was topped with seaweed, and I was incredibly suspicious that anyone could take the base dish and turn it healthy AND delicious: clams casino & mussels rockefeller, remade with almonds, spinach, cantaloupe, bell pepper relish and guava.  One bite, though, and I was a believer (honest).  I loved how all the flavors and texture played with each other, though I maintain that the dark strands of spinach on top of each piece looks like kelp and wasn’t the most attractive, the bright colors on the plate and the flavors more than made up for that.  I would definitely like to try to recreate this at home – though for a fancier occasion than just lunch with friends, heh. 

Our next course was so pretty, I almost couldn’t eat it… hahaha!  Yeah, right.  Green tea and rosemary spiced arctic char; lentil and carrot puree, broccolini, cherry tomato confit, leek coulis – the fish was cooked super tender, and had a lovely flavor.  The puree was so good I was practically mopping the plate (politely! I swear, it was politely!) with the fish to get it all.  And the cherry tomatoes were glossy, roasted lightly, and just smacked of sweetness.  I really liked this course and could totally see making this for a weeknight dinner or, more likely, making a few portions on Sunday and eating it for lunch the next day or two.  Yum.  I really liked the colors on the plate, too – vibrant and made you want to dive face first into it. 

And then dessert came: espresso and chocolate mousse; berries, cocoa nibs – a lovely end to an even lovelier meal, but I admit I ate more of the berries than the mousse.  Not because the mousse wasn’t awesome, but mostly because I’m not that big on sweets and I was pretty full by this point.  And I wanted to focus: even as not-bad for me as these dishes could be, calories add up with each bite and I’m still trying to get on track with my weight. 

Overall, it was a lovely meal, and definitely convinced me that I need to start cooking from Joy’s cookbooks a little more diligently. 

Speaking of which, the week before I actually made something from her Slim & Scrumptious cookbook: ratatouille stew (minus the lentils).  Super easy, low in fat and very low calorie, I ate bowls of this for a week and felt fabulous.  Filling and tasty, kind of amazing what you can do when your fridge is overflowing with zucchini and eggplant… hahaha! 

Now onto the fun stuff!  Though I think you’d do well to buy either or both of these cookbooks, if you’re like me and on a limited budget… or just like free stuff, hey who doesn’t? … or whatever, just for fun! you can enter here to win your very own copy of Slim & Scrumptious AND Food Cures!  

Just leave a comment with the answer to this question: what problem would you like to address/solve using a simple diet change instead of medication?  (Click through to Food Cures and see some of what’s addressed in the book!) 

Good luck!!! 

Usual rules apply: giveaway will run for one week from today, winner will be chosen via Random.org, not open to Feisty Foodie family members (both blood relatives and employees), open to residents of the continental US. Contest prize and fulfillment is provided by Joy Bauer’s people; I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive a copy of each book though, and was invited to attend the above luncheon – thank you! – but opinions expressed are my own.