100% Real—A Cookbook and Guide to Eating Real, Wholesome Food

Rather than following any particular diet or program, Sam Talbot, author of 100% Real: 100 Insanely Good Recipes for Clean Food Made Fresh, takes a more relaxed approach, choosing real food rather than processed, artificial, or generally unhealthful food. Of course, this raises the question of what constitutes “real food.” Talbot defines it as “…food that is as whole and as natural as it can be and that you get as fresh and locally as possible—as close to its source and as close to nature as can be managed.” He understands that sometimes you’ve just got to have a cheeseburger or some ice cream, though. Here’s how he describes his real-food philosophy: “Emphasize the really good-for-us foods, scatter variety throughout your choices, and yield to the sinful indulgences when you get a craving you just can’t escape.”

* Complimentary Book Received for Review & Feature.

At the age of 12, Talbot was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so he knows from personal experience how the food we eat affects our health. Although 100% Real isn’t specifically targeted toward diabetics, the author himself is living proof that eating dishes like the recipes in this book will go a long way to maintaining good health. If you’re interested in more information on living with Type 1 diabetes, visit the webpage for Beyond Type 1, an organization Talbot co-founded to provide education, resources, and support.

But let’s talk about this gorgeous cookbook! The introductory sections set the stage for the real-food recipes. In particular, “5 Steps to Keeping It Real” provides simple guidelines for adhering to a diet of real foods. Also helpful is the “Real Food Kitchen” section, which covers basics like how to stock your pantry and refrigerator with real foods and what equipment is essential, as well as a detailed list of real-food substitutions for traditional, less wholesome foods.

Here are some of the recipes you’ll find in 100% Real:

• Honey Crunch Granola with Blueberry, Coconut, and Lime (page 51)
• Raw Mushroom Salad with Sesame-Ginger Brown Butter (page 69)
• Mini Falafel Pocket Sandwiches (page 77)
• Easy Cauliflower Rice with Roasted Vegetables and Chicken (page 92)
• Marinated Tri-Tip Steak with Yam Fries and Dijonnaise (page 147)
• Crispy Green Tomatoes (page 170)
• Rice Pudding with Acorn Squash and Cinnamon (page 207)

With dishes like those, you’ll be keeping it real and not feeling at all deprived. Where applicable, recipes are marked to indicate whether they’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and/or dairy-free, so if you follow any of those dietary regimens, you’ll know at a glance which recipes you can make without modification.

If Sam Talbot seems familiar to you, you’re probably a fan of the Bravo show Top Chef. He’s appeared in three different seasons of the program and was voted Fan Favorite in the second season.

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Giveaway: One lucky winner is going to win a copy of 100% Real, thanks to Time Inc. Books.

Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on February 9th, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

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