Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the initial eGalley to review!

This is one of those books I want to buy copies for everyone I can, but I'll have to settle for a copy in our library's collection and my own personal collection to loan out! It doesn't matter if you're always struggling to feed yourself or it's only every now and then, but this is an excellent guide to have on hand for making sure you get yourself fed.

The book is broken down into several different categories of food prep: Open Something (a can, container, or bag), Assemble Something (creativity with presentation that uses the stove as little as possible), Microwave Something (under ten minutes and involves just pushing a button), Blend Something (when chewing sounds kind of hard to do), and Cook Something (which, in the introduction is for when you do have the wherewithal to expand energy on food prep but not too much--after all, you don't have to cook something with the help of this book!). There is also a handy appendix that has advice on how to shop efficiently for groceries and indexes of the recipes and ingredients used throughout the book.

This guide can be used by literally anyone and information on how to swap ingredients for allergies is included. It serves largely as inspiration for the types of meals you can make, by not being afraid to use what you have and to eat without guilt. In fact, that's the most important thing: this book is to reassure you that there is no guilt in feeding yourself!! Eby makes the point often that it does not matter what someone thinks of the meal you made--you made a meal for yourself and that is a victory. If you're feeling overwhelmed, cooking is also forgiving; so take a step back whenever you need to when things get to be too much. Not every meal is going to be a five-star restaurant, best meal-ever one. It's okay to simply make something to feed yourself.

There is also plenty of advice on the types of kitchen utensils and appliances that are worth investing in to make life easier for yourself. Eby also emphasizes fun and treating yourself while you're cooking, by snacking on ingredients as you make your meal. Desserts are included in this book too, because we are all human and we deserve dessert! Stop feeling guilty about it! I love that love and care for the reader. Eby is also really funny in the delivery of all this information, with jokes and memes everywhere (one of my favorites is the "Soup Part 2: Electric Soupaloo" and "I'm a firm believer that a certain number of snacks, combined, can turn into a meal, sort of the way a certain number of children with rings can summon Captain Planet.") so this isn't a rigid, monotonous, chiding, or clerical type of guide. It's designed to make you feel more relaxed and get you a little excited to prep food for yourself. I cannot give Eby enough kudos for making this book.

So it doesn't matter if you have zero culinary knowledge or an accredited chef like Eby is; this book will come in handy sooner or later and it's not a shame to pick it up. It's proof that you care about yourself or someone else to make sure they have the easiest time in getting fed.

This book is so needed and fills a gap in the self-care section of the library Without judgment and in a gentle supporting way, it encourages and even empowers people to cook for themselves in ways that are nonthreatening, simple and even comforting. We all struggle and sometimes that comes at price of our health and well-being. This book reads like a non-judgmental friend, pushing you but not prodding into meals that will fill you, body and soul.

Thanks NetGalley and Quirk Books for this arc

4/5 stars

This is a handy cookbook for when you just don't have the spoons to make literally anything. I like that the chapters are divided by how much energy it takes to make the recipes. There is, however, a lot of reading, and at least when I'm feeling stressy I know I would find this overwhelming, so definitely something to read over when you've got the spoons and then mark out recipes that would work better for later when you simply cannot.

This is a great book for anyone learning how to cook or struggling to put meals together. The instructions are easy and realistic to follow. It gives great examples of how to put ingredients together in a way that doesn't make it seem daunting.

From bean salads to blending wilted produce into sauces and dips. It is a how-to instruction manual for cooking simple, enjoyable eats. It is written with the knowledge that even the most ardent foodies want to eat “like a cranky toddler” at times. It is organized from the most basic salads and sandwiches composed by opening up cans and jars to recipes involving a bit of cooking—“but not too much.” Its ideas are for meals that are easy to make and nutritious. It has simple and appetizing meal solutions that you enjoy making even if you are tired.

I enjoyed how the author gave ideas that I have not known or thought of to do when cooking.I am eager to try several of her ideas and recipes. I liked how she mention the ease of making these meals. I loved this cookbook!

A great book for people who find cooking a struggle. This is particularly helpful for neurodivergent people and I will be giving it to my older kids to use and read. The style is lovely and doesn't make you feel bad for not feeling bothered to make a meal.

This book will be super helpful to neurodivergent folks who struggle with task paralysis. I will definitely be ordering this book for our library's collection!

This is the kind of cookbook you buy all your friends and anyone who is just starting their own cooking journey. It is easy to follow for complete novices to seasoned chefs and encourages doing it your own way bc that’s all you need.

Inspired by lockdown depression and finessed through mental blocks and burnout, these cooking tips and ‘no gods no masters’ recipes are exactly what you need when you are sitting on the kitchen floor willing food to appear in your belly. I really enjoyed the humorous, yet compassionate tone of the writing and appreciated the “Roll For Dinner” segments that reduced choice making even further. Sometimes it really is too hard to use the physical and mental energy left to you to cook, and that’s what this is all about. Take the basics — no, really, the basics — and make it a little more joyful again.

Because you don’t have to cook, but you gottta eat.

I love how open and realistic the author is. We've all been there, too tired to function, but we have to. Maybe we have littles to feed, or maybe our own mood and energy is dependent on us having a meal. The author's "motto" of, "The best meal is the one you'll eat" definitely hits home with me. Too many times have I come home and gelt guilty for having popcorn or chips for dinner because I was too tired to do anything else besides sit in the couch and recover from my day.
The author presents you with recipes and options for healthy and healthy-ish meals made of common pantry, freezer, and fridge items. Even for people who may not have many of the vegetables, they are easily purchased, canned or frozen, and stored. A handful of corn or peas to liven up a ramen? Yes, please! Even a boring sandwich becomes a pleasant experience using a little something random to change the taste and texture. (I am personally a big fan of the suggestion of black beans and jalapeños in tuna to make a typically boring sandwich (or wrap) into something I look forward to.
The most "fancy" food in this book is chickpeas, and luckily they come in cans. No talk of kale, watercress sandwiches, fancy cheeses, and no ingredients that the common grocery stores (I'm talking Walmart and Greer's) wouldn't actually carry.
Bonus points for the shopping list of basic staples to keep on hand and how long they last.

I really enjoyed this book and could see it being super helpful to all kinds of people who are experiencing various circumstances such as a health issue, depression, new baby, caretaking, etc. I loved how non-judgmental the language was, and how it didn't assume anyone had any basic cooking skills at all.

A very simple and helpful guide to cooking for yourself. It was super validating to read someone else struggle with a basic need like feeding yourself. The author gave tips to meals that would still be very filling and healthy. It was welcoming and funny. Need to pick up a physical copy for myself.

What a joy this book is!
I loved reading it from start to finish and making notes on paper of all the incredible tips and tricks the author navigates you through,
Really enjoyed how inclusive and shame free the book is towards feeding oneself, it was also a compelling read.
Will buy physical copies to gift to so many friends!

"The best food is the food that you'll eat"

A book full of encouragement, validation, easy recipes, and good ideas for simple things to make when you just can't even. A literary hug, 100% non-judgemental and comforting.

"You don't have to cook, but you do gotta eat"

My favorite recipes were the "roll a dice" ones, perfect for when you just want to turn your brain off and not have to think about what to make for lunch or dinner.

Great concept for the book as well as a number of useful recipes (many of which I gave tried out, ha ha!) Including some bonus asides offering advice and guidance was also a lovely and relatable touch.

You Gotta Eat is a great cookbook full of tips and easy recipes that are extremely helpful. Margaret Eby provides many strategies that can help make the process of feeding yourself less stressful and more budget-friendly.

I can already think of so many people who this cookbook would occasionally be a godsend for.

Myself for one.

For days where the mere thought of eating, never mind actually making the food, seems insurmountable. This book is absolutely filled with not just ideas, but gentle compassion and it is presented in a way that is accessible and in no way overwhelming.

Already ordered copies for myself, my bestie AND the library.

I was hooked by this title: “You Gotta Eat: Real-Life Strategies for Feeding Yourself When Cooking Feels Impossible”. When I get depressed, stressed out, and hopeless about the state of the world, I struggle HARD with feeding myself something other than take out and junk food. Margaret Eby has helpfully divided her book into these awesome categories: If you can open a package, If you can assemble a plate, If you can press a button, If you can wield a knife.

It’s simple, compassionate, and honest. Sometimes the only thing I can manage is opening a bag or a can. She’s got instructions on how to make a soup with just canned tomato sauce, she’ll show you how to dump a bag of frozen veggies onto a sheet pan to make something delicious and that has actual nutrition. What I loved the most was not the recipes (although they were GREAT and I immediately bought ingredients for the Greek-ish bean salad) but it was the sense of compassion extended to those of us who are struggling with things that the world tells us that should be easy.

Remember that the illusion of ‘having it all together’ is based in an outdated ideal of a two parent household where only one has to work and the other can stay home and deal with things like food and cleaning. I don’t think I know any one my age or younger (and I’m 40 something) who has that. So be sure to extend yourself some compassion when you’re struggling because you are definitely not alone!

I'm a huge fan of cookbooks presented in cutesy cartoony ways. It makes me feel like the recipes will be achievable.

This book was so very unique. Reading through the recipes I kept thinking 🤔
1. Who is eating this!?
2. Oh wait...that one looks good
3. This is prefect for pregnancy cravings
4. This is GREAT for those who celebrate 4/20
5. My broke college self could have used this all those years ago.

All this to say...get the book. It's fun, it's creative. It will help you create something new with the things you have.

This is one I may have to purchase for my personal library when it comes out. I too have days or weeks where I'm basically a fussy toddler who hates every food and will just not feed myself until I'm headachy or dizzy. We've all been there! This was very inspirational and ironically knocked me out of the one of those funks so now I have a fridge full of homecooked food again.

But I know that funk will return and the ideas in this book will be very handy for that time. This is "fed is best" for adults - open that can, make that box of macaroni, microwave that egg - do what you have to do to nourish yourself when the idea of slicing and dicing is just too much. I'll definitely embrace the jam and butter sandwich, a favorite of the queen, and think of myself of royalty when I do.

This is an excellent book for people who don't have time or energy to dedicate to cooking properly. The language of the book is concise and approachable, and you can literally feel the author empathising with you while reading it. Some recipes are a bit adventurous to put it mildly (sandwiches and casseroles specifically, certain ingredient combos were downright scary) but the general logic of the book is excellent.

However, there were a few downsides as well. First of all, some level of preparation is needed before actually using the book. Sure, the recipes are excellent for when you can't make yourself cook properly, but they all rely on a sufficiently well-stocked pantry to work. Unfortunately that's not always realistic: if I don't have energy to pull myself together and cook, my fridge will probably also only contain half an onion that still remembers Covid lockdowns, a half empty ketchup bottle and a pack of dumplings. So I'll definitely use the book's recommendations, but only after actually benefitting from one of my more high-functioning days and stocking up on non-perishables.

Finally, I understand that expecting full colour photos in a book that's all about making it up as you go isn't realistic. And yet it would've been nice to have some, because I can't cook to save my life and often can't visualise that the final result should/will look like either.