Beautiful Babies (Review and Giveaway)

Be sure and check out our current GIVEAWAY while you're here.

It feels nice to be at a stage in motherhood where I actually have (a little) time to read again. I have three favorite pastimes: eating, cooking to eat, and reading about cooking to eat. Kidding, of course. But, really, most of what I typically read does tend to be related to food in at least some way.

Get it here.

I just finished reading a book that I am excited to share with you. It is Kristen Michaelis' Beautiful Babies. In case you have never heard of Michaelis before, she runs a highly popular mommy-foodie blog called Food Renegade where she shares her recipes, nutrition tips and great sense of humor.

I loved Beautiful Babies. I wish I owned fifty copies so I could give it to friends like honey-sweetened candy. This book is a treasure. I have been studying nutrition on my own for over five years, have read hundreds of books, articles and blogs, but I still learned a lot from it. It is a great addition to the library of any long time real-food eater as well as a great introduction to those only recently discovering that the Western highly-processed approach to food is detrimental to their health and their family's health.

Overview

Michaelis' starts her book with a brief introduction explaining the importance of nutrition for fertility as well as how what we eat during pregnancy can effect the future of our children-- and our children's children. She gives lists of what not to eat and why. But then offers solutions by explaining what to eat. She leaves room for different budget limitations or availability by giving best choice, third, fourth, etc. This down-to-earth approach really resonated with me. It reminded me of Nina Planck's book Real Food for Mother and Baby. (If you are interested you can read my review of Planck's book here.)

My "beautiful baby", Athena, who we call Little Owl.

Michaelis approaches common ailments during pregnancy and beyond- morning sickness, stretch marks, breastfeeding issues, fears regarding eating different foods (like wine or soft cheeses) and much more. While there are certain sections of the book I had minor disagreements with (such as her views on being able to have a “pain free” labor (I know, Kristen, I'm sorry, but I just don't buy it...) or her view that through nutrition we can avoid stretch-marks) I still valued reading her thoughts and would share the book with those I know. She has an entire section devoted to troubleshooting breastfeeding that I believe would be very helpful for anyone struggling with it. Her section on how to introduce first foods to baby is refreshing compared to most of our culture's view and really resonated with me.

Recipes

While I liked Michaelis' section on nutrition and troubleshooting for different parts of pregnancy/birth/and beyond, my favorite section of the book is actually the the section that follows after: the recipes. I have started using this book regularly for the delicious, wholesome recipes she includes. These are recipes designed for a busy mom who wants to eat real food on a limited budget. The recipes taste amazing, are packed full of nutrients, and are extremely easy to shop for and prepare. The recipes range from simple meals to fermented ketchup and easy-to-prepare organ-meat delicacies.

One of my favorite recipes to prepare from Beautiful Babies. Delicious, nutritious, and easy to make.

Even if you feel like you know everything to know about raising babies (though I am sure there is a lot anyone could learn from this book!) it is worth owning for the recipes alone.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any expecting or new parent or even grandparent. 

Get yourself or someone you love a copy here. 

Sorry. This giveaway has ended please check out our current giveaway if you are interested. 

Do you have a favorite book on nutrition during pregnancy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!