Laura Keogh

Some may feel it’s kind of odd that I would be reviewing the School Year Survival Cookbook by Laura Keith and Ceri Marsh in August when for most children the school year doesn’t begin again until September. This is the “Blessed Summer” parents are thinking, where they can relax and don’t have to worry about lunches. The madness that is “trying to get your kids to eat breakfast while running for the bus”, “putting together a packed lunch for school”, and then “finding time to make something edible for dinner”, seems far away now.

This is not your typical recipe book. This book isn’t just for the school year. The School Year Survival Cookbook is all about helping parents manage during the school year to get the kids fed nutritional meals. The authors want you to start your prep work in August in order to prepare your mind and kitchen for the onslaught that is the school year.

It all begins with the Pantry For Success. This chapter explains how to get organized, how to set yourself up for success, and what you need in your pantry. Gearing Up gives you the essential kitchen gear that will help make your life easier in general.

It then continues on with the section “Meal Planning For Sanity”. This gives you instructions on how to plan your meals in advance. The authors admit that meal planning is not sexy but claim that meal planning will change your life in a positive way. I have to agree, knowing what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to need to buy, gives you an idea of when you need to start, how much you’re going to need to spend, and might even help stave off the panic.

The first section of recipes starts with Breakfast. The goal is to make a brainy breakfast. These recipes are designed to balance blood sugar, pair protein with carbs, and add antioxidants. The recipes include tips on substituting ingredients and preparation. I find tips in a recipe book are invaluable.

The overnight refrigerator puddings, which look extremely easy to assemble, should be a quick fix in the mornings because they were mostly done the night before. Some of the recipes like the smoothie bowls have a step-by-step video on the book’s website. I think the publishers might have made it easier had they used a QR code which goes directly to that video but they are easy to find on the website.

The Lunch menu is all about being a Lunch Ninja. Ceri Marsh apparently refers herself to herself as a Lunch Ninja because of her system of creating the lunches as she’s preparing dinner. Like making extra carrots to go with the lunch in the lunch packs if she’s peeling carrots for dinner etc. I think that’s an excellent tip. If you’re going to make carrots once, why do it a second time later for lunches, just make a couple of extras at the same time.

Lunches in this chapter are not all about sandwiches, there are lots of different opportunities for nutrition. There are tons of different ways to approach side dishes with the meals, including some lovely looking soups. The Sweet Corn and Zucchini Fritters looks like something I would enjoy for myself. The book even contains some helpful information about how many calories, how much water kids need, carbohydrates for energy, lean proteins and so much more.

Dinner starts with Mastering Meal Prep. This section encourages batch cooking and explains how. Many of the recipes include tips on how to get ahead by preparing in advance. There is a lot of variety of in the recipes. I don’t think any of these recipes would go untouched even though kids are notoriously fussy eaters.

You might’ve heard of Transformers, the cars that turned into robots. Now meet Transformer Meals. For instance, Spicy Beef becomes Spicy Beef Tacos with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and then becomes Easy Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas or even Couscous Stuffed Peppers. I like the idea of Transformers because you can make one thing and it makes two meals. While you are cooking one night you’ll make extra protein to use it in one of the other Transformer meals.

After the Transformer section are several recipes for make ahead. They all have tips on how to save time while making dinner. Learn what you can do in advance to speed up the process once dinner time comes.

Edible Leftovers

Then there is an entire section on leftover makeovers which is a slightly different strategy. The authors share their strategy on how to successfully use leftovers everyone will eat.

The Snacks and Treats section is, of course, going to be your kids’ favorite section. They have lots of luscious looking bars, cornbread, muffins, etc. even nut free energy bites. It continues with terrific dips, breads, and other deliciousness. I am entirely sure every recipe here would be the eaten down to the last crumb.

See the original review along with a recipe for Blueberry Grunt Greatness at RecipesNow! Reviews and Recipes Magazine.

This review is in response to a hard copy of the book sent to me by the publishers in return for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

The Good Stuff

Delicious wholesome and healthy recipes
Lots of pictures and the photography is marvelous - you will drool (Every recipe looks like you could taste it right on the page)
Recipes are organized nicely, easy to read and easy to follow
Plenty of variety in types of recipes
Love the picture of one of the women cooking and drinking a glass of wine - now that is my kind of mom
Never comes off preachy - as often is the case in these type of cookbooks
Didn't make it yet (ricotta cheese is insanely pricey in Calgary and we on a tight budge right now) but cannot wait to try Rosalia's Grain Pie - looks seriously yummy and easy to make
Appreciated and agree with letting the kids help you cook and bake - both my boys bake with me & 12 yr old already can make basic meals for himself - he makes a mean Egg McMuffin (yeah yeah - this ain't McDonalds but what else are we going to call it - his is healthy though)
Chicken Chili Tacos is going to be a regular staple for us - everybody loved it and it was easy to make - corn tortillas were not a hit though (could be the brand but they were not very good and we even grilled them a little on the bbq) - we may just use our regular ancient grain ones
Can't wait to share this cookbook with my new friend, Sarah

The Not So Good Stuff

Some ingredients hard to find in smaller towns - for example went to 6 different stores before I found spelt flour and the stuff cost a mint - would have liked a substitute listed for it (though in many other cases like brown rice syrup they did mention one)
Will be hard to get my kids to eat many of the recipes - but am willing to put in the effort (5 yr old ate the tacos but it took me an hour to get him to eat them)

Favorite Recipes

Corn Pancakes - Pg 66

Maple Corn Bread - Pg113 (Yummy, Yummy!!)

Roasted Chickpeas - Pg 129

Chicken Chili Tacos - Pg 149 (So fast & simple to make)

Cocoa Date Bars - Pg 125



4 Dewey's

We received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review… (plus d'informations)