Good and Simple

What’s your favorite type of recipe? My general food philosophy is that I want something that’s quick, easy, and healthy. (If it’s relatively inexpensive too, we have ourselves a true winner!) Good and Simple is built upon that philosophy–the recipes are packed with nourishing ingredients and aren’t super complicated to make! :] I also really like that they try to use everything so as to lessen waste!

There are 15 H+H (Hemsley and Hemsley) principles for eating well–I’m going to share a couple with you:

• Forget calories, think nutrients. Counting calories is not a natural or sustainable way to live. Focus on nutrients, not numbers.
• Sweet enough. Sweeten minimally for balance, keep it natural for nutrition and rewawaken your taste buds.
• Drink to think. Cut caffeine, fizz and fruit juice. Drink water to help flush toxins, curb cravings and stay alert.
• Tune in. Your body needs you. We are all individuals, so get to know yourself better, understand what makes you thrive, and be the best version of you.

Good and Simple: Recipes to Eat Well and Thrive

By Jasmine Hemsley and Melissa Hemsley

Good and Simple starts off with an intro on the Hemsley sisters’ food philosophy, as well as the principles for eating well (a truncated version of 4/15 were shared above!), cooking tips, and a “Starter for Ten,” which is a roundup of 10 recipes to get you started (a combination of cilents’ favorites and the ones they make all the time). This is followed by a section to do a one-week reboot–it’s designed to feed 2 people for 7 days, but if you live alone like I do, you can easily just freeze the extras to eat/drink later! I’m super looking forward to doing this once I move into my new space!

Breakfast

I think by now, you’ve probably realized my love for breakfast food…which is part of why this book speaks to me on so many levels.

Whether you want to start your day with Chestnut Pancakes, Quinoa Zucchini Toast, Sunshine Eggs with Turmeric and Lime, chia pudding, breakfast muffins, huevos rancheros with guacamole (just to name a few…), or this gorgeous One Pan Full Monty Breakfast, this section has you covered!

Soups and Stews

Soups and stews are the ultimate comfort food. This section includes recipe ideas for soup toppings and sides (don’t worry, page numbers are provided!), and lots of tips and tricks. Learn how to make your own bone broth, Carrot Ramen Noodle and Miso Soup, Quick Coconut Dahl with Zingy Slaw, or this delicious-lookin’ Moroccan Meditation Stew!

Sides and Snacks

Sri Lankan Squash Croquettes, Vegetable Chips, Garlicky Chili Chard, Spiced Coconut Cabbage, Ayurvedic Carrot Stir-Fry/Salad, Salty Cajun-Roasted Cauliflower, Multiseed Crackers…

Or these Avocado Boats…

Sandwiches and Salads

Learn how to make your own nut-free flaxseed bread to pair with your sandwiches and salads! There are recipes for Sensational Sprout Salad, Raw Beetroot Carpaccio with Goat’s Cheese and Herbs, Power Salad in a Jar, Vietnamese Rainbow Rolls, and lots more. :]

Fish and Meat

There’s a lot to be enjoyed in this section even if you don’t eat meat, since they showcase lots of super tasty vegetable sides in this section, for instance….Spicy Miso Salmon with Broccoli Rice, Fish Amok Cambodian Curry, Slow-Cooked Chicken Pot Roast with Sweet Paprika and Cayenne, Chicken Kiev with a Simple Spinach Salad, Chicken and Sea Spaghetti Salad with Ginger Almon Dressing, Chicken Comfort Pie, Asian Short Rib Stew, Chinese-Style Beef and Broccoli…

Mum’s Philippine Beef Sinigang

Vegetable Mains

Whether or not you’re vegetarian, there’s gotta be something you love in this section! (Everything looks so good. ._.) I’d especially like to try making the Green Goddess Noodle Salad, but there’s also Cauliflower Rice, Mushroom Lentil Burgers/Balls, Teriyaki Noodle Stir-Fry, Zucchini Noodles with Quick Chickpea Tomato Sauce, Zucchini Noodle Pesto…

Dips, Dressings, Sauces and Spreads

Sauces and dressings can spice up pretty much anything! There are lots of super tasty ideas in here, including Spicy Turmeric and Red Lentil Dip, Spinach and Butter Bean Hummus, Creamy Cashew Ranch Dressing, Homemade Srirarcha (what what :O this is a game-changer), Spiced Winter Apple Chutney…

Baking, Desserts and Sweets

It’s hard to go wrong with desserts when you have a sweet tooth. Learn how to make Tahini Date Fridge Fudge, Caroby Fruit and Nut Balls, Lemon and Cranberry Biscotti, Cannellini Vanilla Sponge Cake with Chocolate Avo Frosting, Apple Spaghetti…

Chocolate Orange Bar with Clementines (I heart chocolate + orange…)

Drinks

Ginger Aid, Lavender and Carob Bedtime “Hot Chocolate,” Beetroot Bloody Mary, Berry Brain Booster, Ginger Zinger Smoothie…

At the end of the book, there are also tips on planning ahead. I’ve long been a fan of bulk cooking since I don’t have time for much else, and there are helpful shopping lists, sample menu plans, how/what to stock up [in] your kitchen, as well as tips on healthy habits to start/maintain, ideas on natural beauty and cleaning products, and how to eat well on the go.

Every chapter in Good and Simple includes related recipe ideas and tips and tricks on cooking, storage, on-the-go meals and portability, making use of leftovers, entertaining guests, meal pairing ideas, and more. There are 140 recipes, and each one includes an intro, serving size, ingredient list, instructions, with topping ideas, tips and variations shared wherever applicable. Most of the recipes don’t call for a whole ton of ingredients, and there are often vegan/vegetarian substitutions available. The food photography in here is also gorgeous (just in case you haven’t noticed).

I do kinda wish the cover was a little different–the half-book-jacket sometimes catches and makes the book more difficult to close unless I have it just right, but if that’s the only thing that I have to complain about, it’s a good thing. It’s what’s inside that counts anyway. :] I definitely think this book would be a valuable one to keep in your arsenal! :]

• Have you ever heard of Hemsley + Hemsley? What do you think of Good + Simple? *-*
• What’s your favorite simple + healthy recipe? Share with me in the comments!