A review by rainbowbrarian
You Gotta Eat: Real-Life Strategies for Feeding Yourself When Cooking Feels Impossible by Margaret Eby

funny inspiring fast-paced

5.0

 I was hooked by this title:  “You Gotta Eat: Real-Life Strategies for Feeding Yourself When Cooking Feels Impossible”.  When I get depressed, stressed out, and hopeless about the state of the world, I struggle HARD with feeding myself something other than take out and junk food.  Margaret Eby has helpfully divided her book into these awesome categories: If you can open a package, If you can assemble a plate, If you can press a button, If you can wield a knife.  

It’s simple, compassionate, and honest.  Sometimes the only thing I can manage is opening a bag or a can.  She’s got instructions on how to make a soup with just canned tomato sauce, she’ll show you how to dump a bag of frozen veggies onto a sheet pan to make something delicious and that has actual nutrition.  What I loved the most was not the recipes (although they were GREAT and I immediately bought ingredients for the Greek-ish bean salad) but it was the sense of compassion extended to those of us who are struggling with things that the world tells us that should be easy.  

Remember that the illusion of ‘having it all together’ is based in an outdated ideal of a two parent household where only one has to work and the other can stay home and deal with things like food and cleaning.  I don’t think I know any one my age or younger (and I’m 40 something) who has that.  So be sure to extend yourself some compassion when you’re struggling because you are definitely not alone!