The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook: Whole Foods to Nourish Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women—and Their Families* by Cathe Olson is a friendly, useful resource that delivers just what it promises in its subtitle. It offers a wealth of information and options for healthy eating, while never sounding judgemental or preachy. The recipes here are geared toward the pregnant and lactating mother, but honestly, this big collection of straightforward, tasty recipes is a perfect all-purpose cookbook for any busy family with vegetarian or vegan members.
In the book’s introduction, Cathe writes, “During pregnancy, it is often difficult to stand for long periods of time to prepare complicated menus, especially if you have other children to care for.” The truth is that, with family life being so busy, few of us have time to prepare complicated menus, even when our kids get older, so these recipes, which focus on good ingredients in dishes that come together in very few steps, is just as useful to busy families with growing kids and teens.