Review: The Back in the Swing Cookbook

Summary: The Back in the Swing Cookbook is a life-affirming book full of 150 feel-good recipes that are easy to prepare, with fresh ingredients specifically designed to help breast cancer survivors get back in the swing of joyful, healthy living. It's a book that you will love to hold in your hands, and use in the kitchen, as a friend and guide to delicious meals and a lifestyle that makes you feel positive. In addition to fabulous food and drinks, the beautiful pages include luscious photographs and fun-to-read, smart, friendly nuggets on topics ranging from genetics, lifestyle choices, and the environment to the influence of all three on living a full and happy life. 

Created specifically for breast cancer survivors by the national grassroots nonprofit organization Back in the Swing, The Back in the Swing Cookbook answers the number-one question on every cancer survivor's mind: "How do I safely and smartly get back in the swing of life every day after experiencing breast cancer?" Every page is brilliantly designed to nurture your mind, body, and spirit with new information not found in any other cookbook. It is a special gift of goodness to give oneself, a friend, a coworker, or a family member that will reap healthy rewards for a lifetime. -- Andrews McMeel

I was extremely excited when THE BACK IN THE SWING COOKBOOK: RECIPES FOR EATING AND LIVING WELL EVERY DAY AFTER BREAST CANCER by Barbara C. Unell and Judith Fertig arrived on my doorstep. I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover, but when I actually read the subtitle for this cookbook, I was even more impressed. Back in the Swing USA is a nonprofit organization dedicated "to improving and protecting well-being by supporting survivorship education for consumers and healthcare providers, and promoting access to personalized, comprehensive survivorship clinical care."

Basically THE BACK IN THE SWING COOKBOOK is a wonderful resource for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Upon first glance, you might think this cookbook isn't for you; however, let me assure you that the recipes (and advice!) in this cookbook are for every woman... regardless of whether you are one of the more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. The 150+ recipes are wonderful and healthy, and this entire cookbook appealed to me for so many reasons.

First and foremost, THE BACK IN THE SWING COOKBOOK is gorgeous! There are lots of photographs (although not one for each recipe) and the entire cookbook is filled with inspirational quotations from cancer survivors as well as nutritional information on various cancer-busting foods. The cookbook begins with a brief history of the Back in the Swing USA organization as well as how the cookbook can to be. It also includes a list of Back in the Swing Key Foods -- which we all should be striving to eat, as well as some other helpful eating advice -- which we all should be following!

The cookbook is organized like a typical cookbook... except it does begin with the Dessert chapter -- see I told you it's really geared towards women! It's divided into the following chapters: Desserts; Breakfast; Beverages; Appetizers and Snacks; Salads and Side Dishes; Soups, Stews, Risottos, and More; and the Main Event. The cookbook ends with some valuable information including New Horizons in Prevention and Menu Planning Ideas. I especially appreciated all of the inspirational advice and research findings that were interspersed throughout the recipe sections of the cookbook.

I can assure you that there are many recipes in THE BACK IN THE SWING COOKBOOK that I want to try over the next few weeks, but I sampled a few so I could write this review. The first one I made was from the Dessert section and it's called Brown Sugar and Walnut Meringues with Fresh Strawberries. I selected it because the photo made it look gorgeous and I also had all of the ingredients on hand. The recipe was extremely quick and easy, and I did like the taste of the cookies, especially with the fresh strawberries on top. I followed the directions to store the cookies in an airtight container, but I was a little disappointed when I went to eat one the next day. The meringues were no longer light and crispy -- they were more chewy and tasted almost like a roasted marshmallow. Don't get me wrong, I still ate a few, but they definitely didn't look or taste like they did right after they came out of the oven. See how pretty they looked:

The next recipe that I tried was for a healthy and light dish called Orzo with Spinach, Garbanzo Beans, and Feta. I loved this recipe because it contains some of my favorite foods (which I always have on-hand) and it was so simple to make. I was very impressed with how well my meal looked and wouldn't hesitate to serve it as a main dish or side again!

Seriously, there are about 20 more recipes that I'm dying to try. Some of the ones that look good to me include: Persian Rice Pudding, Mexican Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing, Mushroom and Broccoli Risotto, Cheese Tortellini with Artichoke-Roasted Red Pepper Sauce,  and Shrimp Fra Diavolo. In addition, there are so many salads with delicious dressings that I admit I'm a bit overwhelmed just trying to determine which ones to try first.

THE BACK IN THE SWING COOKBOOK would naturally make a thoughtful gift to any women who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but it's also a wonderful gift idea for any special woman in your life. I just loved this cookbook from the healthy recipes to inspirational messages; and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this cookbook.

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