Member Reviews
For a cookbook that aligns perfectly with the needs of women focused on strength training and muscle building, “The Strong Curves Cookbook,” by Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist Shelley Darlington is the perfect a resource.
The recipes are loaded with nutritious high-protein, low-carb ingredients and are organized into sections for pre-workout, post-workout, and rest days—ensuring that you have the right fuel for every stage of your fitness routine.
The book focuses on the importance of macronutrients—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—rather than strictly counting calories.
A few of the recipes that I’m looking forward to trying are:
* Turkey and Rice Stuffed Peppers
* Grilled Shrimp and Zucchini Salad
* Blueberry and Zucchini Muffins
* Banana Protein Pancakes
* Frozen Yogurt Bites
* Coconut Energy Balls
* Chocolate Malt Collagen Shake
JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Shelley Darlington, and Publisher Quarto Publishing - Fair Winds | Fair Winds Press for this advanced reader's copy for review.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Fair Winds Press, and the author, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a good while to review this book, as I wanted to try at least 2 of the recipes from the list and as I am a lazy person, here we go lol. Most of the recipes in this book are low work/ stress and quick ones. My favorite particularly is the Vanilla Protein Chia Pudding, because come one why wouldn't it be. Great resource to have in your kitchen- well presented and organised.
This is an incredible cookbook for anyone looking to up their protein intake. All recipes are well set out and easy to follow. I cannot wait to try out some of the recipes
I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.
If you want to eat healthier with easy no fuss recipes, this is your book. From pre workout ideas to breakfast everything is covered. Warm steak salad, mushroom and bacon soup, and pesto deviled eggs; lots of recipes to choose from.
Strong Curves is an inspirational look at one woman’s journey to reform her body and relationship with diet and exercise and her desire to help others do the same. It’s well done, concise easy to follow and motivational. I really enjoyed the book.
I like that this cookbook focuses on strong not skinny as a goal. The recipes are easy to follow with easily accessible ingredients! The pictures are wonderful there just aren’t enough of them.
Lovely cookbook with lots of delicious recipes. I always find some healthy cookbooks have over complicated recipes but found this one to be more down to earth with more family friendly recipes especially with my two picky teenagers. The book was clear and I loved how it centred around women and all the hormonal issues we have.
Good ideas and easy to understand explanations for building muscle and getting more protein in to help accomplish that.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Very nice! I was able to find some recipes that I would like to try at home. New Year new habits. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
4.8/5 Stars, rounding up! Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds Press for eARC of The Strong Curves Cookbook by Shelley Darlington for a free review.
This cookbook was very easy to read and the directions were simple. This would've been a great Christmas gift for my fellow bodybuilder friends. The pre and post-workout meals are organized very well in this cookbook. I did not know that Shelley Darlington was a YouTuber so I totally checked her out when I found out about this. She's great! I am very impressed with the knowledge of nutrition (and getting to know your body) in this book, the introduction is fantastic and well done. There are many easy and delicious recipes that I've got to try out and they did NOT disappoint.
The only reason why I'm not rating it 5 out of 5 stars is that I'm a visual person and need pictures of all the recipes - it also helps me confirm if I made it "correctly" haha. Other than that, this book is fantastic and highly recommend!
"The Strong Curves Cookbook: 100+ High-Protein, Low-Carb Recipes to Help You Lose Weight, Build Muscle, and Get Strong" by Shelley Darlington is a practical and comprehensive guide to achieving fitness goals through nutrition. The book stands out for its abundance of recipes designed to support weight loss, muscle building, and strength training, providing a valuable resource for individuals seeking a healthy lifestyle.
One commendable aspect of the cookbook is Shelley Darlington's focus on combining high-protein and low-carb recipes to cater to specific fitness objectives. The author provides a diverse range of recipes that not only contribute to physical well-being but also aim to make the journey enjoyable. The inclusion of a variety of dishes ensures that readers can find options suitable for their tastes and dietary preferences.
Darlington's writing style is clear and accessible, making the cookbook approachable for individuals at various levels of culinary expertise. The book's organization allows for easy navigation, with recipes categorized to address different fitness goals. The inclusion of nutritional information for each recipe is a helpful feature, allowing readers to make informed choices based on their dietary needs.
However, some readers may find the emphasis on specific dietary goals, such as high protein and low carb, to be limiting, especially if they follow different nutritional approaches. While the cookbook caters well to those following a particular fitness regimen, individuals seeking a more diverse range of recipes may need to adapt the meals to align with their preferences.
In conclusion, "The Strong Curves Cookbook" serves as a valuable resource for individuals committed to a fitness journey. Shelley Darlington's focus on high-protein, low-carb recipes aligns with specific fitness goals, making the cookbook a practical guide for those looking to lose weight, build muscle, and get strong. While the emphasis on certain dietary parameters may not suit everyone, the book's overall contribution to supporting a healthy lifestyle through nutrition is commendable.
I enjoyed this cookbook. The introduction is comprehensive, recipes are easy to follow and delicious. The layout makes navigating the recipes and even includes the difficulty level. Each recipe's nutritional value is broken down on the side. Ingredients are not hard to find in the Midwest. You won't regret adding this book to your bookshelf.
I have always had trouble knowing what to eat to help maximize workouts, so I love that this cookbook includes sections about what to eat pre and post work out. I also thought most of the recipes sounded delicious. It is a lot easier to eat healthy when the food sounds appealing!
Interesting recipe book. Not really what I usually eat, but I understand that this way of eating can benefit people who are very active. The recipes are interesting and seem delicious.
Decent enough cookbook. I don’t think I will be using it has much as I thought. Giving it three stars
This is a great beginners cookbook to start being more disciplined with your approach to nutrition and fitness. The first portion of the book discusses basic nutrition information, meal planning and setting up fitness routines. The second half of the book covers pre-workout, post-workout and off-day recipes.
I appreciated that many of the recipes highlight using alternative milks, such as almond milk, although, almond milk is not necessarily good for everyone. Other varieties like cashew milk and coconut milk are good alternatives as well. Moderation in everything is important when it comes to a balanced nutrition plan. Same thing for putting protein powder in all your meals. Too much of anything can be bad, even when it's "healthy".
THE STRONG CURVES COOKBOOK by Shelley Darlington is that rarest of delights: a cookbook that is the living results of a woman who refused to follow the well-trammeled road and figure out for herself what feels good and works for her in living her commitment to a strong, healthy, vibrant life. It is a beautiful book with dozens of recipes I am dying to try, accessible and doable for this ambitious home cook. This is a cookbook to keep, to refer to, and rely upon for delicious and nutritious support for a well-lived life. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.
I really enjoyed this cookbook. I found it easy to follow, and it had clear instructions. I liked that there was a variety of meal types included (like snacks, treats, breakfast, etc.), but I wish there were more for each section. There were pre and post workout sections, which I liked. I just wish there were more recipes for each meal type to provide more variety throughout the week for dinners and whatnot. But, there was a wide range of types of meals. Overall, I liked it and enjoyed the meals. I did not make every single one, just a majority.
This beautifully designed, organized, and photographed cookbook by YouTube personal trainer and nutritionist Shelley Darlington is a winner! There are 100+ recipes that look delicious and easy to follow. The focus on building muscle for health and the science behind it makes perfect sense -- I've always had more energy and been healthier when weightlifting! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to eat well for enhanced strength and health.