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I’ve often shared that I didn’t enter my marriage with many homemaking skills–learning how to manage and keep my home and passing down that wisdom to my daughters, is one example of how we’re “creating culture.”
When I married my husband, the only dishes I could cook were basic spaghetti, ramen noodles, and hamburger helper (I’m pretty sure I even used pre-cooked ground beef for the latter). A couple of years later, I bought my first slow cooker and my world changed! The evening I served roast with potatoes and carrots to my husband, filled me with such joy.
Later that year, I prepared my first Thanksgiving turkey! Fortunately the small-town grocery store near us had lots of pamphlets, recipes, and workshops, and I chose their “Thanksgiving Dinner for Dummies.” I felt so accomplished.
It wasn’t until five years into our marriage that I really began to cook with confidence, started bulk/freezer cooking, branching out with new recipes, focusing on whole foods, and became brave enough to invite folks over for dinner.
That’s five years of learning, experimenting, and way too much take-out that completely destroyed our newlywed budget!
If only I had my own copy of Real Food for the Real Homemaker when I was a new wife.
Real Food for the Real Homemaker is written by three talented and knowledgeable ladies: Jamie Balmet of Young Wife’s Guide, Elsie Callender of Richly Rooted, and Jaimie Ramsey of Living in the Light.
The premise of equipping busy moms and wives with tools to help them get real food on the table while staying within their budget excited me! I quickly opened my review copy and couldn’t wait to jump in!
I was beyond impressed!
Included in the package:
- 170+ page whole-foods cookbook (PDF and kindle versions)
- printable recipe cards
- an excel menu planner and shopping list
So let’s break it down:
Real Food for the Real Homemaker Cookbook (you get both the PDF and the Kindle version!)
Image from Real Food Cookbooks |
Real Food for the Real Homemaker is a 170+ page whole-foods cookbook with several pictures showcasing the 78 recipes. I especially enjoyed the non-recipe chapters, which shares the authors’ personal comments and tips. Helpful tips are even peppered among the recipes.
If you’re intimidated by cooking or need help setting up your own whole-foods based pantry and kitchen, the tips alone are well worth the cost of the package.
Included are tips on bulk/freezer cooking, real food substitutes, cooking with basic ingredients, hospitality, frugal grocery shopping, and more.
Recipes are divided into simple sections (which I very much appreciate), including breads and breakfasts; sides, soups, and salads; entrees; and of course desserts (which are wonderful!)
Just a few of our favorites include:
- Best Ever Scrambled Eggs
- Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Bread
- Quick Tomato Soup
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Homemade Brownies
- Lemon Cheesecake Squares.
Completing the book is the real-life story of each author’s journey into whole-foods living.
The Excel Menu Planner with Grocery List
Image from Real Food Cookbooks |
This tool is awesome!
Your menu plans, which includes lines for your main dish with two sides, ingredients, shopping list, and even a quick list of the recipes, are all in one place. There’s also a designated spot for adding notes.
Image from Real Food Cookbooks |
While I appreciate the option for printing the PDF and using it on Kindle, there’s just something about having a recipe card in hand that feels so homey. These recipe cards are beautiful and can be easily printed onto sturdy stock and laminated.
While a tremendous resource for new wives, any busy mom who wants to prepare healthy meals for her family, without breaking the bank, will benefit from Real Food for the Real Homemaker. It would even be a great gift for younger daughters to learn about whole-foods cooking, menu planning, and kitchen management.
Visit their page on Facebook for more info on the materials.
Sharing with Teaching What is Good, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, Cornerstone Confessions, The Modest Mom, The Better Mom, and What Joy is Mine
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verymerryseven says
I am very much looking forward to reading your blog. ~♥
The Mama Behind the Story says
Thanks for visiting, verymerryseven!!! 🙂 Happy Monday!! 🙂
Judith Kowles says
Thanks so much Sarah Elizabeth for sharing this cookbook bundle
The Mama Behind the Story says
You’re welcome! It’s a fabulous system. 🙂