What do you think?
Rate this book
Eating in the Middle: A Mostly Wholesome Cookbook
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Food & Cookbooks (2016)In her inspiring New York Times bestselling memoir, It Was Me All Along, Andie Mitchell chronicled her struggles with obesity, losing weight, and finding balance. Now, in her debut cookbook, she gives readers the dishes that helped her reach her goals and maintain her new size. In 80 recipes, she shows how she mostly healthy meals that are packed with flavor, like Lemon Roasted Chicken with Moroccan Couscous and Butternut Squash Salad with Kale and Pomegranate, and then the “sometimes” foods, the indulgences such as Peanut Butter Mousse Pie with Marshmallow Whipped Cream, because life just needs dessert. With 75 photographs and Andie’s beautiful storytelling, Eating in the Middle is the perfect cookbook for anyone looking to find freedom from cravings while still loving and enjoying every meal to the fullest.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2016
About the author
Andie Mitchell
3 books183 followersHi! I’m Andie! 10 years ago, I lost 135 pounds through diet and exercise, so I share a whole lot about my journey and the lessons I've learned about losing weight, keeping it off, and transforming my relationship with food and my body.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 3, 2024
I really enjoyed the layout of this cookbook. Andie is a very humble woman who went through a huge weight loss journey and shares tidbits of her story among recipes that can help you enjoy the food without indulging in an insane amount of calories. Nutritional data was provided for each recipe, but it did not take over the recipe.
The photographs were clear, and the recipes were easy to follow. Andie provided tips and tricks without being too "in your face" about anything. She wasn't trying to push anything on you but just laid out bits of what worked for her and delicious recipes to try.
5 Stars for this tasty cookbook.
The photographs were clear, and the recipes were easy to follow. Andie provided tips and tricks without being too "in your face" about anything. She wasn't trying to push anything on you but just laid out bits of what worked for her and delicious recipes to try.
5 Stars for this tasty cookbook.
July 19, 2016
Food that is quasi healthy for those who have lost weight and want to sustain the loss. Being able to return to an eating norm again. Worth a peek. I wouldn't buy it.
October 18, 2016
Andie's story is inspirational and empowering BUT this book isn't. Maybe I was expecting something else? The recipes are mostly not low calorie. They look delicious but that's kinda of the problem. I wanted to read this because she lost 135 pounds in 13 months. Amazing! These recipes are what I'd classify as occasional indulgences not the balanced approach I expected. There is no way you will lose or maintain you weight loss with these. I feel cheated. If the book had been billed as a regular, non-diet cookbook it would be fine but right on the front cover it says "A mostly wholesome Cookbook" Sorry it's not. Even the Brussel sprouts have 144 calories a serving. Here are a few more examples.
Peanut Butter Granola Parfaits 396 calls for 1/4 c granola, 1 c yogurt, and 1/2 banana
Baked Banana Bread Doughnuts 170 per doughnut, not so bad. Oh wait the glaze is counted separately sneaky, so they are actually 210 each.
Greek yogurt pancakes 298 for 2-4inch pancakes
Let's just skip to the desserts
Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding with Salted Peanut Butter Sauce 691 cal. 12 servings in a 9 by 13
Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Fosting 520 cal per cupcake!
Seriously. I am disappointed. Rant over.
Happy Reading :)
Peanut Butter Granola Parfaits 396 calls for 1/4 c granola, 1 c yogurt, and 1/2 banana
Baked Banana Bread Doughnuts 170 per doughnut, not so bad. Oh wait the glaze is counted separately sneaky, so they are actually 210 each.
Greek yogurt pancakes 298 for 2-4inch pancakes
Let's just skip to the desserts
Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding with Salted Peanut Butter Sauce 691 cal. 12 servings in a 9 by 13
Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Fosting 520 cal per cupcake!
Seriously. I am disappointed. Rant over.
Happy Reading :)
April 25, 2017
Found some very tasty recipes in this one. Really made me want to pick up Mitchell's "It Was Me All Along" too. Hopefully reserving this one for cookbook club too, i think my group would enjoy it. It's healthy food that's not fake food.
September 1, 2016
Easy to follow instructions, recipes with everyday ingredients, and most importantly mouth watering pictures. Well done!
November 9, 2018
I thought this was a good everyday cookbook, with mostly healthy recipes. I think that's actually the point of the book - she eats mostly in the middle (moderately) to maintain her weight loss, but occasionally indulges. The last chapters include the indulgences, but they weren't that interesting to me (I have my own indulgences, thank you). But I thought that her dinners were generally pretty interesting, especially the fish and chicken recipes. And her egg salad is great. I also loved that she provides full nutritional information, and the way there is a photo for every recipe. She also sprinkles parts of her backstory in, which is warm and made me curious about her other book.
Worth checking out if you're calorie conscious but don't want a diet book.
Worth checking out if you're calorie conscious but don't want a diet book.
September 20, 2017
I really enjoyed Andie Mitchell's cookbook more than I thought I would, not having read her memoir or really know her story. I loved the layout of this cookbook and that the recipes were simple, yet new and different than what I have seen or made in the kitchen myself. There were multiple recipes that I wanted to save for later, and that is what I think makes a cookbook go from great to excellent. I also enjoyed that Andie's story and background was included in parts of this book but didn't completely dominate it either. I look forward to reading her memoir soon and will try making some of her delicious recipes in the meantime.
Read
November 30, 2021I really enjoyed the recipes in this book; I really personally did not like reading such fear around fatness / a larger body, as if a larger body were a result of being a woman of lesser resolve in life. So, no rating bc I’m conflicted about having read such a clearly fat phobic book….but also one that had a lot of legitimately delicious looking meals in it that I will be trying…?
October 27, 2017
This is a really great cookbook! The recipes are easy to follow, you get to learn about the author (who apparently has the same mom as mine in that she will make 6 pies for 6 people at Thanksgiving), and it has nutritional information.
March 16, 2019
Pictures of recipes? Yes.
Commentary on recipes? Yes.
Nutrition facts? Yes!
Recipe Style? Healthy modern cooking.
Any keepers? No.
Not a bad collection, but the ingredient lists were kind of long for my taste.
Commentary on recipes? Yes.
Nutrition facts? Yes!
Recipe Style? Healthy modern cooking.
Any keepers? No.
Not a bad collection, but the ingredient lists were kind of long for my taste.
October 15, 2017
I loved her story and enjoyed reading the memoir style beginning but never really tried any of the recipes.
August 14, 2023
There is a lot of disordered eating here, which seems odd for a COOKBOOK. I’m sure this was inspirational to someone, but that actually worries me. The recipes aren’t great, either.
May 12, 2024
Loved the mix of personal life and recipes. Prompted me to order her memoir.
December 7, 2016
Yummy and inspiring
May 28, 2024
This book is so-far a keeper as it has enough recipes for us to try using reasonably priced ingredients and healthy recipes.
February 25, 2018
I'd never heard of Andie Mitchell. Didn't know about her blog, memoir, or weight loss journey. I picked this up based solely on the title. I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the introduction to the book and then liked her little introductions to each recipe. I found this to be a well balanced cookbook and liked the nutritional information included. Plenty of great recipes to try.
June 26, 2017
Eating in the Middle is the debut cookbook from food blogger and weight loss extraordinaire, Andie Mitchell. It is a collection of "mostly wholesome" recipes, beautiful color photographs and little stories of her life that capture the overall theme of each section.
When I opened the package from the publisher, I couldn't help but first notice the construction of the book - the matte photograph cover and the debossed fabric spine that adds a great texture when holding the book in your hands. Speaking of quality, this publication features 240 pages of heavy-stock paper and the hardcover copy weighs in at just over two pounds - making it bound to hold up very well with lots of use in the kitchen.
The book is split up into very simple but relatable sections: Starting Fresh (breakfast and brunch), Lunchtime, Vegetables and Sides, Dinnertime, For Sharing and All Things Sweet. Each section hosts a variety of recipes from the lighter to the heartier and the sweet to the savory. There is a little something for everyone here. This cookbook is very easy to navigate with a table of contents and a full glossary that not only includes the names of the recipes but is also searchable by the popular ingredients used in those recipes.
What I love about Eating in the Middle is that each recipe features nutritional information so you can easily count calories or track your diet when eating from this book.
Some of the recipes I'm dying to try are the Greek Yogurt Pancakes, Loaded Black Bean Burgers and my personal favorite, Halibut Baked in Parchment with Pistachio Mint Pesto. I have sticky notes dotting the book and marking dozens of other recipes as "must try's" so there is no doubt this cookbook will see a lot of my kitchen counter over the next several months.
I have had the privilege of reviewing quite a few other cookbooks this year, but I am naming Eating in the Middle the best cookbook of 2016. Pick it up for the amazingly simple recipes or for the beautiful photographs by Aran Goyoaga or to have some healthy options in your menu plans for the summer. You won't regret adding this book to your collection.
For more about my review, visit my website: http://goo.gl/1V93t2
*I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
When I opened the package from the publisher, I couldn't help but first notice the construction of the book - the matte photograph cover and the debossed fabric spine that adds a great texture when holding the book in your hands. Speaking of quality, this publication features 240 pages of heavy-stock paper and the hardcover copy weighs in at just over two pounds - making it bound to hold up very well with lots of use in the kitchen.
The book is split up into very simple but relatable sections: Starting Fresh (breakfast and brunch), Lunchtime, Vegetables and Sides, Dinnertime, For Sharing and All Things Sweet. Each section hosts a variety of recipes from the lighter to the heartier and the sweet to the savory. There is a little something for everyone here. This cookbook is very easy to navigate with a table of contents and a full glossary that not only includes the names of the recipes but is also searchable by the popular ingredients used in those recipes.
What I love about Eating in the Middle is that each recipe features nutritional information so you can easily count calories or track your diet when eating from this book.
Some of the recipes I'm dying to try are the Greek Yogurt Pancakes, Loaded Black Bean Burgers and my personal favorite, Halibut Baked in Parchment with Pistachio Mint Pesto. I have sticky notes dotting the book and marking dozens of other recipes as "must try's" so there is no doubt this cookbook will see a lot of my kitchen counter over the next several months.
I have had the privilege of reviewing quite a few other cookbooks this year, but I am naming Eating in the Middle the best cookbook of 2016. Pick it up for the amazingly simple recipes or for the beautiful photographs by Aran Goyoaga or to have some healthy options in your menu plans for the summer. You won't regret adding this book to your collection.
For more about my review, visit my website: http://goo.gl/1V93t2
*I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
April 25, 2016
Okay guys, you cannot imagine my excitement over finding this available for review. If you read my review of Andie's memoir, you'll know that I already think of her as my soulmate in food. Now, I get to see just what she's done in her own kitchen to help with her weight loss journey and I'm super duper excited! I should say that I was because I have already gone through this cookbook, but the reality is that even after going through it, I'm still just as excited.
(Warning...a spoiler for the memoir ahead...skip the next paragraph if this is going to bother you.)
First, let's start at the beginning...she dedicated the book to Daniel. Now, at the end of her memoir, they were no longer together, so you know me..I want to know what happened! Why? Well, you could say that I'm nosey or that seriously, after her memoir, I felt as if she were a dear friend. Either way, I went to her site and discovered that they're engaged! Woohoo!
Yes, I know that none of that has a thing to do with cooking or recipes or cookbooks, but hey, it was exciting to me! To get back to the cookbook though, let me just say that I can easily see this becoming one of my favorites. It's filled with delicious recipes that all appear to be incredibly easy to prepare. As a busy mom/editor/site owner/fill in the blank, I don't always have a ton of time to experiment in the kitchen so this is great for me! Plus, she included two full sections of more decadent recipes that are perfect for that special occasion or to share with others. Did I mention that the photography makes everything look absolutely delicious and that Andie is just as down to earth in this book as she is in her memoir? I can only hope I can do the same with mine!
My recommendation? The pairing of both of Andie's books would make an amazing gift to someone who loves both memoirs and cookbooks. I can't imagine anyone not loving both of them!
(Warning...a spoiler for the memoir ahead...skip the next paragraph if this is going to bother you.)
First, let's start at the beginning...she dedicated the book to Daniel. Now, at the end of her memoir, they were no longer together, so you know me..I want to know what happened! Why? Well, you could say that I'm nosey or that seriously, after her memoir, I felt as if she were a dear friend. Either way, I went to her site and discovered that they're engaged! Woohoo!
Yes, I know that none of that has a thing to do with cooking or recipes or cookbooks, but hey, it was exciting to me! To get back to the cookbook though, let me just say that I can easily see this becoming one of my favorites. It's filled with delicious recipes that all appear to be incredibly easy to prepare. As a busy mom/editor/site owner/fill in the blank, I don't always have a ton of time to experiment in the kitchen so this is great for me! Plus, she included two full sections of more decadent recipes that are perfect for that special occasion or to share with others. Did I mention that the photography makes everything look absolutely delicious and that Andie is just as down to earth in this book as she is in her memoir? I can only hope I can do the same with mine!
My recommendation? The pairing of both of Andie's books would make an amazing gift to someone who loves both memoirs and cookbooks. I can't imagine anyone not loving both of them!
April 22, 2016
Damn, did I miss reviewing cookbooks. I took a brief hiatus because I kept getting distracted by other shiny objects (gardening books) and couldn’t focus. I’m back.
Fun fact: I used to write a cooking column for my college newspaper. It was titled Hooker in the Kitchen, because, well, my last name is Hooker and I cooked stuff. In the kitchen. I digress.
I was thrilled when I unwrapped this heavy number from its postage wrap. The cover art is gorgeous and the paper is thick — it’s a great quality cookbook.
I love that most of the meals are light and clean, which some not-so-light-and-clean recipes thrown in — after all, the whole theme of the cookbook is moderation and balance.
My one gripe with the book? The insanely long ingredient lists. It’s not very budget friendly to pick up a jar of apricot preserves, some special cheese, etc. if all you need is a tablespoon. I was a little bit disappointed at this (and at my barren fridge).
My new roommate and I decided that roommate dinner needed to happen, so we decided to make the Lemon-Herb Fish with Crispy Oven Fries.
Now, I’ve made oven fries before. Yes, they’re in the shape of fries, but they’re usually limp and meh. According to Mitchell, the secret to these fries is the hot water soak right before baking. I didn’t believe her.
But she was so right. These fries came out AMAZING. Crispy baked fries?! What?! Yes. This alone made the whole book worth it. The fish was pretty fantastic, too.
Overall, I loved the wide variety of dishes to choose from (though I didn’t love the wide ingredient lists). Everything seems relatively simple to make and I’m excited to try more recipes out of this book. Give this one a shot!
I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
Fun fact: I used to write a cooking column for my college newspaper. It was titled Hooker in the Kitchen, because, well, my last name is Hooker and I cooked stuff. In the kitchen. I digress.
I was thrilled when I unwrapped this heavy number from its postage wrap. The cover art is gorgeous and the paper is thick — it’s a great quality cookbook.
I love that most of the meals are light and clean, which some not-so-light-and-clean recipes thrown in — after all, the whole theme of the cookbook is moderation and balance.
My one gripe with the book? The insanely long ingredient lists. It’s not very budget friendly to pick up a jar of apricot preserves, some special cheese, etc. if all you need is a tablespoon. I was a little bit disappointed at this (and at my barren fridge).
My new roommate and I decided that roommate dinner needed to happen, so we decided to make the Lemon-Herb Fish with Crispy Oven Fries.
Now, I’ve made oven fries before. Yes, they’re in the shape of fries, but they’re usually limp and meh. According to Mitchell, the secret to these fries is the hot water soak right before baking. I didn’t believe her.
But she was so right. These fries came out AMAZING. Crispy baked fries?! What?! Yes. This alone made the whole book worth it. The fish was pretty fantastic, too.
Overall, I loved the wide variety of dishes to choose from (though I didn’t love the wide ingredient lists). Everything seems relatively simple to make and I’m excited to try more recipes out of this book. Give this one a shot!
I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2016
I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes, as always, all opinions are my own
Sometimes I'll pick up a cookbook and fall in love with it because the cooking style is so similar to mine that I can't help turn to it time and time again. Other times I'll pick one up and it fails to inspire me to open it more than once or twice because the recipes are nearly identical to my own. Unfortunately Eating in the Middle by Andie Mitchell falls into the later category. For me there isn't much new or inspiring about it, but does that make it a bad book? No, not at all—it's just means I'm not quite the target audience.
Those of you who are new to cooking healthy meals or are fans of Andie's memoir It Was Me All Along which chronicles her struggle with an eating disorder and childhood obesity will find this book very relatable. It further details some of the struggles she faced during her weight loss journey and is packed full of simple, easy to prepare dishes. Although, if you've already progressed past beginning kitchen techniques, you may find some of the recipes old-hat. More advanced cooks may want to consider flipping through the book at the library or bookstore before purchasing it.
Even though this book wasn't quite for me there are some great recipes I've enjoyed tying out. The Blood Orange Mint Salsa and Bagel & Lox Salad were my personal favorites and are something that I'll likely keep in our regular rotation of healthy options.
Sometimes I'll pick up a cookbook and fall in love with it because the cooking style is so similar to mine that I can't help turn to it time and time again. Other times I'll pick one up and it fails to inspire me to open it more than once or twice because the recipes are nearly identical to my own. Unfortunately Eating in the Middle by Andie Mitchell falls into the later category. For me there isn't much new or inspiring about it, but does that make it a bad book? No, not at all—it's just means I'm not quite the target audience.
Those of you who are new to cooking healthy meals or are fans of Andie's memoir It Was Me All Along which chronicles her struggle with an eating disorder and childhood obesity will find this book very relatable. It further details some of the struggles she faced during her weight loss journey and is packed full of simple, easy to prepare dishes. Although, if you've already progressed past beginning kitchen techniques, you may find some of the recipes old-hat. More advanced cooks may want to consider flipping through the book at the library or bookstore before purchasing it.
Even though this book wasn't quite for me there are some great recipes I've enjoyed tying out. The Blood Orange Mint Salsa and Bagel & Lox Salad were my personal favorites and are something that I'll likely keep in our regular rotation of healthy options.
February 14, 2017
I'm not sure why, but I love this cookbook, maybe more for the stories than for the recipes. I'm also happy for the nutritional information included.
January 11, 2016
Disclosure: I received a free, uncorrected proof at ALA Midwinter from the publisher.
I have never read It Was Me All Along, though I have heard of the book. I've never visited the author's website (though I think I may need to change this). So this is to say I wasn't a fan. But I love cookbooks. Especially those that have great photography and have recipes that seem like they are doable in my small, what counter space I do have is all ready covered, apartment kitchen.
Andie's recipes fit that bill. I'm excited to try many of the recipes like breakfast egg salad, peanut butter mousse pie with marshmallow whipped cream, lemon-herb fish with crispy oven fries, and brown sugar & chili-rubed salmon with avocado crema. Yes, many seem decadent, and a few are. If you watch your portions (or share) you'll see many of Andie's recipes will help fulfill that craving for what you want (a bagel with cream cheese and lox) but will fill you up in a more nutritionally friendly way (bagel & lox salad). Each recipe is accompanied with nutritional information and some gorgeous food photography. (Not that my bagel & lox salad will look that perfect, but I'm sure it will still taste just as good!)
I have never read It Was Me All Along, though I have heard of the book. I've never visited the author's website (though I think I may need to change this). So this is to say I wasn't a fan. But I love cookbooks. Especially those that have great photography and have recipes that seem like they are doable in my small, what counter space I do have is all ready covered, apartment kitchen.
Andie's recipes fit that bill. I'm excited to try many of the recipes like breakfast egg salad, peanut butter mousse pie with marshmallow whipped cream, lemon-herb fish with crispy oven fries, and brown sugar & chili-rubed salmon with avocado crema. Yes, many seem decadent, and a few are. If you watch your portions (or share) you'll see many of Andie's recipes will help fulfill that craving for what you want (a bagel with cream cheese and lox) but will fill you up in a more nutritionally friendly way (bagel & lox salad). Each recipe is accompanied with nutritional information and some gorgeous food photography. (Not that my bagel & lox salad will look that perfect, but I'm sure it will still taste just as good!)
April 6, 2016
I fell in love with Andie's writing and her life story when I read her memoir, It Was Me All Along, last year, so I was SO EXCITED to receive my copy of her debut cookbook!
My favorite thing about Andie’s cookbook is that she truly stresses eating healthy foods with her concept of eating “in the middle.” Rather than deprive herself of ever having any indulgent foods and setting herself up for a lifetime of cookie binges, she eats “in the middle” by indulging her cravings but following a healthy lifestyle most of the time and finding ways to make indulgences slightly less unhealthy.
Every recipe in this book sounds delicious, and I already can’t wait to make so many of them. I personally recommend the curried cauliflower recipe... YUM! Trust me, you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself, and Andie has even helpfully added the calorie counts for the dishes right above the ingredient lists. Don’t worry, while there are a lot of meat entree options, there are also plenty of recipes for all my fellow vegetarians and gluten intolerant eaters out there.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Eating in the Middle today!
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
My favorite thing about Andie’s cookbook is that she truly stresses eating healthy foods with her concept of eating “in the middle.” Rather than deprive herself of ever having any indulgent foods and setting herself up for a lifetime of cookie binges, she eats “in the middle” by indulging her cravings but following a healthy lifestyle most of the time and finding ways to make indulgences slightly less unhealthy.
Every recipe in this book sounds delicious, and I already can’t wait to make so many of them. I personally recommend the curried cauliflower recipe... YUM! Trust me, you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself, and Andie has even helpfully added the calorie counts for the dishes right above the ingredient lists. Don’t worry, while there are a lot of meat entree options, there are also plenty of recipes for all my fellow vegetarians and gluten intolerant eaters out there.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Eating in the Middle today!
*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
April 10, 2016
I love finding a new cookbook and cracking the spine, 'mostly' because I can post-it flag a few of the pages and then my loving - and very kitchen-friendly - husband will surprise me with those dishes. I was interested in this cookbook in particular 'mostly' because of the cheeky title: 'A mostly wholesome cookbook'. Mostly wholesome really works for me. Now, I know what you are all thinking, 'Tell us, tell us what pages you flagged for your hubs.'
- Baked Banana Bread Doughnuts (pg 16)
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls (pg 72)
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange Zest & Basil (pg 95)
- Cauliflower with Bacon (pg 99)
- Cheddar Biscuit-topped Barbecue Chicken Pie (pg 187)
- Loaded Chorizo Nachos (pg 189)
- Dulce De Leche Cream-filled Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze (pg 225) *minus the candied pecans (nut-allergy alert!)
Honestly, I have never heard of Andie Mitchell before, but from her picture on the cover and the tone of voice used in her cookbook, I just have a feeling she is someone with whom I could be friends. And what I really like about her recipes is that some of the them are fairly easy, and I might even be able to complete them myself (and without my normally required spousal assistance/supervision).
- Baked Banana Bread Doughnuts (pg 16)
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls (pg 72)
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange Zest & Basil (pg 95)
- Cauliflower with Bacon (pg 99)
- Cheddar Biscuit-topped Barbecue Chicken Pie (pg 187)
- Loaded Chorizo Nachos (pg 189)
- Dulce De Leche Cream-filled Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze (pg 225) *minus the candied pecans (nut-allergy alert!)
Honestly, I have never heard of Andie Mitchell before, but from her picture on the cover and the tone of voice used in her cookbook, I just have a feeling she is someone with whom I could be friends. And what I really like about her recipes is that some of the them are fairly easy, and I might even be able to complete them myself (and without my normally required spousal assistance/supervision).
April 26, 2016
I heard about this cookbook before I read Andie's memoir It was Me All Along, but after reading that I was even more excited about her cookbook. After being overweight for the first 20 years of her life Andie had a wake-up call and after some drastic changes lost 136 pounds in 18 months. But, losing all that weight made her almost afraid to eat and she went to the other extreme of being hyper-vigilant about everything she ate. She knew she had to find a middle ground in order to heal her relationship with food and that is where Eating in the Middle comes in. In this cookbook she shares some of her favorite recipes. Many are family favorites that she "lightens up" while some are meant to be shared or for special occasions. I really like her attitude that no food should ever be off limits, but some things aren't meant to be eaten every day. Overall, a good cookbook with some recipes I definitely want to try.
June 28, 2016
I ordered this book while I was away, and it was such a treat to have it waiting for me when I got back! I loved Andi's memoir and of course her blog, so I am obviously biased. I haven't made any of the recipes yet (though I'll update this review when I do), but they are so far almost all things that I feel I actually would want and be able to make! Sometimes you open a new cookbook and it has all these ridiculously obscure ingredients that you could never find unless you live in Brooklyn or (insert hipster LA neighborhood here-I have no idea), or they are some food that you know you will never realistically eat, but I feel that these recipes are mostly very accessible.
Also, the physical book is stunning-the binding, photos and paper quality all seem to be top notch. In the intro, Andi says that she hopes we will write in the margins, stain the pages and make it our own, but I know I will neurotically guard this book and photocopy pages for reference when I am actually cooking ;)
Also, the physical book is stunning-the binding, photos and paper quality all seem to be top notch. In the intro, Andi says that she hopes we will write in the margins, stain the pages and make it our own, but I know I will neurotically guard this book and photocopy pages for reference when I am actually cooking ;)
November 23, 2016
I read Andie's autobiography a few months ago and was really excited to find out about this book, because I think she is awesome!
I was on the fence about whether I should buy it as I had purchased a few cookbooks recently. So, I took it out from the library and fell in love, my bank account will have to deal with the repercussions as I will be purchasing this for my ever growing collection.
The recipes are not overloaded with ingredients- they are easy to follow, short and to the point.
In my opinion, this book is ideal for someone who is entering the maintenance phase of weight loss. I would argue you could easily use it if you are losing weight but it is not exclusively super low calorie meals. It is very balanced; there are some low calorie options (100-350), some mid range options (350-450) and some higher calorie treat dishes.
Super practical recipes, healthy and wholesome ingredients, great style and flow. There is nothing I don't love about this book!
I was on the fence about whether I should buy it as I had purchased a few cookbooks recently. So, I took it out from the library and fell in love, my bank account will have to deal with the repercussions as I will be purchasing this for my ever growing collection.
The recipes are not overloaded with ingredients- they are easy to follow, short and to the point.
In my opinion, this book is ideal for someone who is entering the maintenance phase of weight loss. I would argue you could easily use it if you are losing weight but it is not exclusively super low calorie meals. It is very balanced; there are some low calorie options (100-350), some mid range options (350-450) and some higher calorie treat dishes.
Super practical recipes, healthy and wholesome ingredients, great style and flow. There is nothing I don't love about this book!
April 20, 2016
I've struggled with having a bad relationship with food my whole life and I've been trying to change that and learn to treat myself better. I loved that with this cookbook the author talks about her own struggles with that and how she learn to be happy without looking to food to do so. She found a balance of enjoying life while not using food as a crutch while still loving food. Finding a balance in food is a great thing, eating healthier while not denying yourself foods you love. To quote the author, this books is "mostly wholesome with a sprinkling of decadence". These recipes leave you feeling full and satisfied, without feeling deprived. The pictures and the setup of the recipes are amazing and I love the little stories throughout that the author added.
I received this from Blogging for Books for an honest review.
I received this from Blogging for Books for an honest review.
July 3, 2016
Andie Mitchell's cookbook, like her memoir, includes much love, kindness and tenderness. She has written introductions to each section about the food related memories that contributed to the development of the recipes in that category. She also shows clearly the generous heart she has, which helped her triumph over an eating disorder, without blame and anger, and still have a healthy love of good food, in moderation. While I have yet to make any of the recipes (the library book must go back - and has already been renewed!), I could see buying this book. It reads so much more joyfully that most other healthy-food cookbooks. I really liked this book!
September 27, 2016
i read andie's memoir, It Was Me All Along, and while i didn't love it completely, i did enjoy her story and have loved her blog for many years now. there are some really simple, yummy, and easy recipes in here. excited to try them out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews