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Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook for Women's Wellness

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Embrace the ancient healing power of plants with more than 100 whole-food, plant-based, gluten-free herbal recipes, designed around the most common health concerns of modern women.

Did you know you have access to the most potent, sophisticated, and scientifically-proven apothecary cabinet—right in your own kitchen? Plants, specifically herbs and spices, have been used for centuries among holistic healing traditions around the world to promote health, longevity, and beauty. And as more people become afflicted with chronic stress-based conditions, from inflammation and food allergies to anxiety and depression and menstrual irregularities, a whole new generation is rediscovering nature’s power for long-term wellness.

In Root & Nourish, wellness experts Abbey Rodriguez and Jennifer Kurdyla teach women how to incorporate herbalism into their busy lives to restore and maintain their unique state of health. Expanding the herbal repertoire beyond teas and tinctures to include wholesome breakfasts, satisfying mains, indulgent desserts, and, yes, a full menu of teas and beverages for day and night, it’s the first cookbook of its kind to pair everyday herbal cooking with women’s health concerns—specifically related to digestion, mental health, and female reproductive hormonal health. As you come to learn which herbal ingredients offer you the nourishment you need, whether in the moment or to support chronic conditions, you’ll curate an evolving personal herbal apothecary that will serve you for a lifetime.

Alongside these affordable, seasonal, and sustainable recipes, Root & Nourish features mindfulness and holistic lifestyle practices drawn from yoga and Ayurveda that will help incorporate wellness into every part of the day. Once you discover how good you feel when you eat the right foods, at the right time, and in the right way, you will understand your body—and yourself—as you never have before: the way nature intended.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2021

10 people are currently reading
3128 people want to read

About the author

Abbey Rodríguez

1 book9 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,468 reviews99 followers
March 22, 2021
This Cookbook uses principles from Western herbalism and Ayurveda to dietetically treat the whole person. It is a holistic look at food and its effects on us. The book is broken into three parts that focus on digestion, mental wellness, and reproductive health respectively. Interspersed throughout the book are some yoga practices useful to any level of yogic skill.
The beginning gives an overview of the authors’ philosophy behind this book. It offers an apothecary for the kitchen; a list of herbs that should be present for use. They are then categorized by their health properties, i.e. antimicrobial, astringent, aphrodisiac, etc. A list of necessary kitchen tools follows, then begin the recipes.
While some of the ingredients seem exotic (ashwagandha root powder, for example), the recipes themselves are easy to follow. You’ll have to go to a specialty grocer to get some of the items, or you’ll need to find substitutes, or you’ll need to skip them altogether.
This was a 4-star book for me. I appreciate an holistic look at health. I could have done with less of the authors’ philosophy and more recipes, though. If you’re looking for a primer herbalist/Ayurvedic yoga recipe book, this is for you.
My thanks to Tiller Press via Netgalley for this ARC. I received no compensation for this honest review.
Profile Image for Annie.
4,834 reviews89 followers
March 14, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Root & Nourish is a well written holistic lifestyle and recipe collection by Abbey Rodriguez & Jennifer Kurdyla. Due out 6th April 2021 from Simon & Schuster on their Tiller Press imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The emphasis here is on women's holistic health and wellness. The food and tips are plant based, gluten free, and arranged thematically by diet/concern: digestive health, mental health, and reproductive health. Recipes contained in each section are further divided by category: breakfasts, mains, sweets, and teas & drinks. Each section also contains numerous tips and additional information from the authors' experiences. The introductory chapters contain quite a lot of general supportive information including herbs, seasonings, pantry lists, active ingredients (and what they do), and general information about women's health and nutritional needs.

Recipes contained in the book are presented with prep-times, yields, a bullet list of ingredients (American measurements only), and step by step preparation instructions. Tips and advice for alternative preparations and ingredients are written into the recipes under their own headings or in sidebars. Roughly 20% of the recipes (by my estimation) are pictured. Photographs are attractive and well done. Serving suggestions are appetizing and appropriate. Nutritional information is not provided. Recipe ingredients will -mostly- be easily obtainable at a moderately well stocked grocery store or health food store. (Some ingredients may require specialist/online retailers).

The authors have included appendices with links and resources for further reading and online resources for obtaining hard to find ingredients.

Well written and attractively presented. This would make a good selection for library acquisition, gifting, or for the home library. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,484 reviews123 followers
April 11, 2021
I am a big believer in eating as naturally as possible and don't even like taking medicine unless really needed. When I saw a chance to read a woman's wellness book through herbal cooking I jumped at the chance and am I ever glad I have.
I will be referencing this book many,many more times.
Did you know you have many ways to heal yourself naturally with what you already have in your kitchen? Yes, you can do so through natural eating and with the use of herbs.
There are many nutritious and health beneficial recipes and ways to use herbs such as recipes and teas to make during different days of your cycle for maximum health.
Herbs are not just for seasonings but have so many health benefits.
Though it may seem confusing the author's will guide you in what you'll need to purchase to have your own kitchen apothecary and how these herbs will benefit you.
Highly recommended!!!!

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
1,008 reviews36 followers
May 3, 2021
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
A cookbook written for women, by women, about a woman’s needs. This cookbook is filled with information that is both informative and useful. It provides recipes to support the information provided. The numerous photos are displayed in a comfortable, homey, and appealing manner. As a cookbook junkie, I thoroughly enjoyed perusing what this book had to offer.
2 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2021
I just wanted to share how much I love this book. To be honest, the vegan gluten-free approach is not how I typically eat, but the recipes look so inviting and are so well presented, it makes me want to try them! More than anything, I appreciate all the little gems of wisdom sprinkled throughout the book, as well as the helpful insights from Western herbalism and Ayurveda. I love the holistic approach—the layout and organization of the material feels integrated and intuitive. This book is a lovely addition to both my wellness and cookbook shelves!
1 review
April 7, 2021
Just received my new cook. It is so beautiful and very well done! I have already tried a few of the recipes and have been so impressed, they have far exceeded my expectations! I am very conscious of leading a healthy lifestyle, I love how the recipes are made with whole foods and are plant based. It is perfect for giving my family a delicious, yet healthy meal or snack. I would definitely recommend this cookbook to anyone and will be sharing with my family and friends!
Profile Image for Elaine.
2,142 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2021
Root and Nourish is a wonderful book! I'm so happy my request was approved.

The authors bring to life the ancient healing power of plants with more than 100 whole-food, plant-based, gluten-free herbal recipes, and center them around the most common health concerns of modern women.

In our modern times, we have lost touch with the natural world. Plants, especially herbs and spices, have been used for centuries to promote health, longevity, and beauty.

It's what our ancestors used to do but conventional medicine have banished old school healing to the background.

The authors discuss how these herbs and spices can improve health and mental well-being.

Their tone is empathetic, their language is inclusive and their message is universal: how can you take care of yourself if you're not putting healthy foods inside of you?

Recipes are diverse and include healthy breakfast and entrees and interesting desserts; and, of course teas and drink for morning and night.

What I especially appreciated is how the authors stress that all of these recipes are open to personalization.

If you don't like a certain herb or spice or you have a more pressing health issue you want to address, disregard or add a different herb to the recipe but remember, if you have a serious health condition, speak to your doctor first!

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in improving their health and seeking alternative, holistic remedies or looking to eat healthfully.
Profile Image for Jene.
168 reviews38 followers
March 18, 2021
Root and Nourish by Abbey Rodriguez and Jennifer Kurdyla is one of the best new cookbook/wellness books I’ve read in a long while. It is written for women's health concerns, but I think it can benefit anyone. It is so well written and the pictures are beautiful. I love the approach of using what we put into our bodies to help heal and treat. The recipes are delicious sounding, and they are all plant based and most seem to be gluten free. I also really appreciate the shopping guide of the places to buy some of the more obscure herbs. I will definitely be buying a physical copy of this book to add to my cookbook shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiller Press for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Johanna Sawyer.
3,479 reviews42 followers
May 23, 2021
A holistic approach to wellness and a basic approach to turning your kitchen into an apothecary. Book is geared toward women and it has a wealth of information but too much to sort through.

What did I like? The format I received just didn’t read well, being jumbled and I was disappointed in the black and white photos. I need color. The book had some helpful information but was hard to process it given the density. Ten pages of writing versus a chart...I’ll take a chart.

Would I recommend or buy? If your into holistic kitchen apothecary then this may be your go to guide. I did learn a few things I didn’t know but the black and white pictures defeated my pleasure.

Two stars... I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review.
Profile Image for Sara Hill.
451 reviews9 followers
December 3, 2021
I liked Root & Nourish. It was a mix of herbalism and cooking.

The photos were nice. I only had them black and white on my Kindle, but I am sure in colour they would be much nicer. I appreciate the list at the beginning of the book, so you know everything you might need to track down. I also like how the herbs are broken into categories. Some recipes seem easy to achieve. Others seem a little harder, mostly due to the ingredients.

While this book could be read by anyone, it leans towards women for sure. 3.5 Stars.

I received an eARC from Tiller Press through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
Profile Image for Cozy Book Spot.
447 reviews7 followers
March 10, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. It has great recipes and lots of information. Lots of natural and nourish recipes that are super healthy and delicious. All the recipes have that "feel good" feeling and I love it. I got a sample copy that wasn't ready yet so mine was black and white and I couldn't see the photos properly unfortunately. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Joni Owens.
1,563 reviews10 followers
March 22, 2021
A kitchen apothecary is the perfect way to describe what you will get from this book. While all ingredients aren’t easily available at your local grocery stores, the items are easy to order online or at a health store. The recipes are easy to follow and are well written out. This isn’t just a cookbook it also has movements to help as well. It’s a lovely book for anyone looking to improve their overall health and quality of life.
Profile Image for Becky.
334 reviews11 followers
March 10, 2022
I was a lucky winner of this cookbook through a giveaway here on Goodreads. This is a very informative cookbook. It's really a great resource for any woman looking to switch to a more plant based way of life. They break up the book into 3 sections: Digestion, Mental Health and Female Reproductive Hormonal Health. The recipes are easy to follow but a trip to the health store may be required as many items weren't at my local grocery. Thanks again for the copy!
421 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2021
I enjoyed reading Root & Nourish – a well-rounded book, great information and tips to nourish our bodies, not just by eating, but by eating right as to what our bodies are needing, and how to move our bodies to best outcome.
Looking forward to trying out the tips and recipes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tiller Press for a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
1 review
April 13, 2021
This cookbook is a must have in your kitchen!! If you’re looking to truly nourish your body with healthy choices, this is the perfect guide. These beautiful pages are full of brilliant resources to help cultivate healing and wellness from food. It’s professionally written, easy to follow, and artistically lovely!!
-Ginger C
Profile Image for Polly Krize.
2,135 reviews44 followers
September 22, 2021
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A most welcome book focussing primarily on women's health with treatment of the whole person using Ayurvedic and western herbalism principles. The presence of vegan and plant-based meals make this an important addition to your cookbook shelf.
697 reviews13 followers
December 29, 2021
This was much more than a herbal recipe guide or recipes using herbs. It wasn't exactly what I expected. There was tons of information about using certain herbs for "female" issues such as menopause. The information was not relevant to me, which is not to say it isn't to many others.
Thank you Netgalley, Abbey Rodriguez; Jennifer Kurdyla and to Tiller Press for the advance digital copy of " Root and Nourish". These are my personal opinions and thoughts, given voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
1,706 reviews
April 3, 2021
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The layout in this cookbook is a little rough and cluttered. There's a lot on each page and I have a hard time focusing on some pages. The first 40 pages or so are informational before you get to the recipes.
Profile Image for LisaD.
12 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2021
What a beautiful, thoughtful book! I love what it taught me about my body, and the 5 pillars of health. The recipes are wonderful, and I love how the book is broken down into sections so I can choose a recipe based on my current wellness needs.
Profile Image for Michelle Jerome.
170 reviews4 followers
April 16, 2021
Very interested in the way this cookbook was formated. The book gives a why for the recipes. I am a curious person and love how the recipes and ingredients' benefits are included in this cookbook. I may have difficulty finding many of the ingredients, but I loved reading about all of them.
Profile Image for Gabriel Jones.
2 reviews
April 26, 2021
Oh wow! I’m really impressed with the recipes in this book. It’s extremely informative with lots of options. Highly recommend and am excited to make a bunch of these. It’s hard to find books like these that fit your lifestyle!
Profile Image for Kimberly Christenson.
106 reviews73 followers
December 29, 2021
This book not only provides recipes for nourishing food, but practical tips for taking better care of your body and mind and feeling more grounded to nature. I love the recipes I've tried so far and have gleaned so much wisdom from this book.
Profile Image for Dawn Wilkerson.
15 reviews
January 28, 2022
I liked it but it was more of a review for me. I was hoping to learn something new or something different about the subject matter but I did not. Some of the ingredients are difficult to find here in South Carolina. Would have liked to have options to replace some of the spices/herbs.
1 review1 follower
April 7, 2021
Beautiful cookbook with great recipes!!
1 review1 follower
April 12, 2021
I love this book! Beautiful photos, great recipes - highly recommend!
1 review
April 18, 2021
This is a beautiful cook and lifestyle book. I learned a lot about seasonal eating and am excited to make these dishes and drinks!
Profile Image for Bibi.
747 reviews8 followers
January 20, 2022
Tons of great information, which I think could’ve been a book all on it’s own. I just wished it would’ve had more pictures of the recipes.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
271 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2022
Lots of good ideas and recipes for women’s health, digestive health and healing. Making chocolate almond butter oat bars with my girl!
Profile Image for Laura.
565 reviews24 followers
September 30, 2022
Interesting ideas and new age information. Nothing that I will adapt to at this time, but I might like to revisit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews