For anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle with a realistic approach, this book is for you. Joanna Lund shows how to create healthy food that uses normal ingredients. Her recipes are all easy to make and mouth-watering good. Lund gives sensible advice on how to add exercise and eat properly. Low-fat does not mean low taste, Lund has created a low-fat cookbook masterpiece!

The book is divided into short segments, centering upon a theme. Some examples are counting your blessings, seeing yourself as you are, etc. It is written to especially address the self-esteem needs of someone who has battled weight-related problems. It is motivational and very comforting at the same time.

As I was reading it, I was trying to describe to myself exactly what type of feeling it evoked in me. I finally decided it must be like the quilting bee of old, when sage individuals share their encouragement, wisdom and insights, based upon many years of living and struggling. JoAnna would not claim to be a psychologist, yet in a very down-to-earth manner she relates to all of us at the point we are now. I was also impressed with later sections where she plainly states that we all need to assume responsibility for our actions and not adopt a vitcim mentality.

The book is well written and time was taken to produce a quality product. On first reading, it did not appear to have a single incorrectly spelled word. I commend JoAnna and her publisher on this. I would highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with weight issues or life's problems in general.

My husband loves these recipes too. In fact, we like her recipes so much that I have personally purchased all of her cookbooks.

Whether you just want to eat healhier, or need to watch your fat or sugar intake you can use ALL of these recipes. Every single recipe has the nutritional value, Healthy Exchanges breakdown (JoAnna's plan), and Diabetic Exchanges. If you are following the Weight Watchers plan, you will be able to convert each recipe into points without a problem.

This cookbook shows just how easy it is to eat REAL FOOD not rabbit food to be healthy. Recipes work well too for those wanting to drop a few pounds. JoAnna's Healthy Exchange program is explained in the front of the book.

I know if you try just one of her books, you will be hooked and want more.

Now that I am married and out of my mother's house, I've been experimenting with many different foods and cooking constantly. I recently called my mother to have her email me a recipe from this book that I had remembered her fixing when she first bought it. "Mexicalli Pie" :-D My mother was shocked that I actually remembered this, and my husband really enjoyed it when I made it.

I've since borrowed this book and have yet to fix anything that my husband and I didnt thoroughly enjoy.. and he was a more picky eater than both my brother AND myself! ;) I DEFINATELY reccomend this book for... well, anyone! Meals that actually TASTE GOOD, and can fool even us finicky eaters into eating healthy!

Overall rating: 3.5 pots of out 5.

One of the best parts of the book, believe it or not, is the information in the beginning pages on how to substitute low fat ingredients for fattening ones! You probably would never think the low fat substitutes could taste so good but THEY DO!!!

Try the book, you won't be disappointed.

I do have one quibble: Most of the recipes that use ground beef call for only 8 ounces. This usually requires that I saw a pound block of hamburger in half, which I find really annoying. It's enough to make me make double batches and freeze the rest.

Give this book a try. Your family will be pleased and so will you.

Not only did the Tooth Fairy bless me with a sweet tooth - she gave me a whole mouth full! And I share my favorite "common folk" healthy desserts in this collection. If you love the types of desserts that grandma made for you when you were young - but you need healthier (less fats & sugars) versions - then I think you will love this book!