Leah Garrad-Cole - It All Begins with Food: From Babys First Foods to Wholesome Family Meals: Over 120 Delicious Recipes for Clean Eating and Healthy Living

As a mama and a holistic nutritionist, I can say food is both my passion and my job! When it came to introducing foods to my baby girl, Vienna, my goal was to feed her only whole, organic foodand homemade as often as possible. With this in mind, I found myself on the hunt for a resource for how best to do this that really spoke my language while also being evidence-based. There was a lot of conflicting information online, and much of it just didnt resonate with me. I mean, it just didnt feel right to introduce rice cereal as a first food when there are far more nutritious foods like avocado and sweet potato!

One day, while stocking up on basics to make baby food at my favorite health food store, I came across a whole shelf devoted to a brand called Love Child Organics. The first thing I did was read the ingredients in the fruit and vegetable puree. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only was it all organic but it was made from only whole foods in a BPA-free squeezy bottle too. I bought some purees and Teefies and felt good that I had finally found a brand that gets ithurray for real food!

Vienna tried both and loved them (the Teefies were her favorite teething cookies). I felt confident knowing that even though I make 95% of her food, I had a safe, healthy backup if I needed it. As it turns out, the amazing mama who created this brand is also the author of this wonderful book, which is an incredible resource for all parents who want to feed their family nourishing, delicious food.

After reading this whole book and drooling over all the wonderful recipes, I felt inspired and excited that parents will have access to this valuable, and much-needed, information!! I love all the tips for growing adventurous eaters like taking your babe to a farmers market and eating together as a family but not to beat yourself up if that doesnt happen every meal eitherLeah gets it, because shes a mom too.

And the favorite first single foods at a glance chart is a total gem! I wish I had had this book when I was introducing foods to Vienna, because it is super handy for trying to figure out the best way to cook certain fruits and vegetables. For me personally, it helps me be more creative in the kitchen. Its easy to get stuck in a rut making the same meals you know your little one will love, but Leah makes it easy to try new foods and new recipes.

One of the most common questions people ask me at my public lectures is Joy, what is one thing I can do to improve my health and my familys health? I love this question, and my answer has been the same for years: COOK YOUR OWN FOOD. And It All Begins with Food can help you do that. The recipes in this book are straightforward and quick to preparemaking them ideal for busy parentsand ooze with nourishment, love, and joy. I cant wait to get in the kitchen and whip up another batch of quinoa bites and prune muffins!

Joy McCarthy

Holistic Nutritionist, CNP

When we become parents, the life we knew before is suddenly turned on its head. Many elements of our lives are forever altered, including how we think about and approach food. Now that we have a family to feed, there are so many things to considerbut where is a new parent to start? Welcome to It All Begins with Food, a book dedicated to clean, whole-food recipes for your entire family. Moms and dads, you will love the ingredients, and your children will love the taste! From one health-conscious parent to another, this is more than just a cookbook. It is essentially a one-stop shop of nutrient-dense recipes and helpful information to support you as you cook nutritious food for your growing family, right from their very first bites.

Unfortunately, feeding children tasty, healthy food isnt always as easy as it should be. There is an overabundance of information out there, and it can make the task of feeding your family really confusing and overwhelming. We all want our children to eat well, but its hard to know where to start, and with our busy lives, its really difficult to find the time to make it happen. When I think back to not that long ago when my children were babies, I wish Id had one trusted resource that I could rely on as I navigated my way through the choppy waters of baby feeding and cooking family foods. We all want to do the right thing by our children, but how do we know which advice to trust when the theories on how and what to feed babies, and which foods are healthy and which ones are not, seem to come from completely opposing teams? With plenty of encouragement, plus helpful tips and tricks along the way, this cookbook is here to help! Ill share with you up-to-date information about everything you need to know, from how to get started with solids, to understanding organics and GMOs, to stocking your pantry with nutritious ingredients that will set you and your little ones up for success. As for recipes, Ive got you covered right from the baby stage, with purees, finger foods, and advice on how to make it all happen. And as your little ones grow, this cookbook will grow along with them, bringing your children running to the table for everything from super-powered breakfasts to healthier birthday party food (that still feels and tastes like a treat!) to enticing family meals that moms and dads will enjoy too. What if your family has special dietary requirements? Youll be pleased to see that there are plenty of recipes in here for you too, and suggestions for ways to adapt ingredients to fit your personal needs. (See for an explanation of the icons used in each recipe.)