The Self-Care Cookbook: Easy Healing Plant-Based Recipes

by Gemma Ogston

Nourishing and comforting plant-based recipes to boost your energy, help you sleep, and brighten your mood. So many of us go about our busy lives without eating wholesome food. Yet without giving our body what it truly needs to fuel us through the day (and night), we get ill, feel low, and have trouble sleeping. In The Self-Care Cookbook, plant-based chef Gemma Ogston introduces us to eating as the ultimate form of self-care, whether you're a full-time vegan, flexitarian, or just looking for simple recipes developed with wellness in mind. Each recipe has been crafted to nurture your body and mind. Organized by some of the core goals of self-care routines--Restore, Rebalance, Reflect, and Renew--The Self-Care Cookbook demonstrates countless ways to embrace your mood and understand your body's needs through recipes as well as activities outside of the kitchen.With over 60 delicious meals including Firey Bean Stew for the days you feel under the weather, Calming Miso Pasta to give your gut flora a super boost, and Indulgent Chocolate Pudding (because you deserve it), The Self-Care Cookbook is for anyone who needs some extra TLC and finds comfort in creating healthful, cozy meals--whether it's dinner for one or a meal shared with the people you love.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2020

About the author

Gemma Ogston is a plant-based chef and mum of two with her own company Gem’s Wholesome Kitchen based in Brighton.
She works closely with organisations such as Mums the Word Online and brands such as Dorset Cereals, providing beautiful and delicious food for events as well as designing cleanse packages for individuals. Her food is plant-based and plastic free

Reviews

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely log ‘cook books’ on here but this one deserves a mention. A really lovely little hardback book full of self care tips and awesome recipes. Lots to read with really genuinely helpful self care tips rather than the stuff we all know as being common sense. Especially good tips for those with insomnia issues. Also that rare find in a cookery/lifestyle book in which I would like to make and enjoy every single recipe rather than just one or two.

[Simone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooo… I sadly couldn’t connect at all with the author‘s voice. Which made it hard to take any advice or read the suggestions with an open mind… The reason is probably that I as an ethical vegan, who puts animals first and everything else (health, environment, etc.) comes waaaaay behind and it was just clearly not the case in this book as honey is used in almost every recipe and the main reason for the author to ditch a lot of animal products was her health. Obviously there is nothing at all wrong with that and all the power to all the people who feel the same way! However, I felt a little alienated and just not on the same page. I think a lot of people will absolutely benefit from this book but if you feel about veganism and the term plant based (as in no animal products whatsoever), then you might want to pick a different book :)

[Laura Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healthy, beautiful recipes peppered with simple self-care tips. I savored this cookbook from cover to cover and that, in and of itself, felt like an act of self-care. I visualized myself making the recipes and imagined what it would taste like and feel like to include these healthier foods and practices in my life. I was charmed that a “glug” is a unit of measurement used, as in a glug of olive oil; that you “blitz” things in the blender; and that 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons showed up in several recipes. Gem has a cute and quirky style as well as a wealth of knowledge surrounding the benefits of eating certain foods. Now all I have to do is incorporate all this into my life…and take a trip to Brighton to check out Gem’s Wholesome Kitchen.

[John’aLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last week when I picked this book up from the library I had no idea how much I was going to need it in the upcoming week. A perfect book for an ‘imperfect’ time! Such an uplifting book on how to care for yourself and to cook recipes full of healthy ingredients to nurture one’s self. It’s certainly not just a cookbook! I highly recommend it for anyone after surviving 2020!😁

[Diane Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual to have a cookbook as a goodreads book. But this one had a lot of interesting information on wellbeing, including restore, rebalance, reflect and renew and I read it from cover to cover. The recipes look simple and tasty.
Inspiring for the start of the new year.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some lovely recipes, but otherwise very run-of-the-mill and filled with cliche phrasing. I love the idea of this book and did learn some interesting things; but ultimately this was very repetitive and in turn monotonous.

[Amy Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous recipes and gorgeous pictures! Also, bonus: the book is small and feels nice to hold.

[Helen Macklon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will definitely be buying this for future birthday and Christmas presents. It’s so much more than a cook book, filled with lovely sensible life advice and beautifully put together.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like cooking impressive dishes when I have the time and energy, but usually impressive means making special grocery trips. More and more these days, I crave simplicity. Gemma's pantry closely resembles mine and her colorful, healthy, plant-based dishes show you can cook simply with stunning results. This little cookbook is packed with love and nourishment, including (again, simple yet impactful) bits of self care wisdom.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It’s not just a cookbook, it has a lot of useful information, ideas, and reminders. I actually did sit and read this through cover to cover - and I love how it’s structured. Instead of the meal or food type, it’s broken out based on “self care themes” - for lack of a better way to describe it. I can’t wait to try some of these out this week, it’s the perfect book for resetting eating after the holidays and to get some energy back.

[Taylor Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was like reading a book alongside a best friend! The way Gemma separates the book into sections based on category (EX: rest, energy, renewal) really helped to tailor the recipes and self care tips to what I needed in the moment! Her quirky, personal writing still made this more like a conversation when you needed a friend, and it felt way more than just about recipes. I have already added her recipes into my routine and turn to them when I need a pick me up!

[Melissa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written and put together

This book is divided into five sections, including restore, TLC and reflect; each section includes information on self care tips, advice and recipes. I think it's a nice idea for a book and I enjoyed reading it. I haven't made any of the recipes yet but I plan to.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ page 62

While this is a beautiful little (literally) book, it offers nothing new on the self-care front. The recipes look interesting, but not enough to entice me to finish the book.

I mentioned that the book is beautiful, and it is distractingly and painfully so. What is the fascination with 8-point font and books with form that handicaps the function? /rant

[Katelyn A Belser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing for not only plant based recipes but also just finish joy in eating things that are good for your body. It doesn’t just include recipes but also includes tips and tricks for your whole self

[Allison TeVelde · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than just a cookbook - some lovely tidbits and encouragements along the way. I tried some of the recipes, and can't say I have the magical touch she has with food; however, it was a very enjoyable read.

[kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟🌟🌟✨

lovely little book, lots of helpful tips - simple stuff but it's always good to be reminded! looking forward to trying out the recipes, which look super wholesome and fairly simple to keep you on track with healthy options mid week.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every recipie I have tried is amazing! I have not tried all but its also just a pretty book to have around.

[Lauren McCain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up from a used bookstore and it is now one of my most cherished cookbooks. for my mentally & chronically ill vegan hotties💓

[Berit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I aspire to following both her advice and recipes.

[Beki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of sense about why you should look after yourself. Few interesting recipes I'd like to try.