Happy Kitchen

Confession One: I buy a lot of cookbooks. Confession Two: They are rarely actually used. But NOT this one. No, I am really, actually, making some of these simple, "feel better" meals. And, they are delicious. Plus, the book itself is well designed and easy to navigate.

Awesome book with lots of well-researched information. Recipes are fantastic, I've made many of them and I haven't found one that I didn't like. They're all delicious so far!

An excellent book on the power of food to affect our moods and state of mental health. The first of its kind I think. Lots of suggestions and explanations and recipes.

I was sick and tired with Ross River Virus in Australia for over 5 months when I heard an interview on the radio with Rachel Kelly. Ross River makes you chronically exhausted, achy throughout your body, like arthritis, and depressed. You're so tired you don't want to move for a day or two, sometimes. Shortly after hearing the interview, I woke up exhausted all over again, with no warning, as was usual. I decided to get the book I'd heard about. The Happy Kitchen is designed to deal with depression and mood, but also energy and I wondered if it would help--I was at my wit's end and tired of being tired. It was affecting work and relationships. I was committed to anything that might help get energy again, five months after the initial diagnosis.I've always liked eating relatively well, but I snacked on rubbish, ate too many things that had little nutrition (bread), and didn't have enough of the good elements needed, nor the right mixes of foods. I carefully chose recipes I liked from this book, to begin with, and after a few days--about 3 days--I started to feel different, much better. It was like a fog lifted mentally, too. After a week I felt very different and had lots more energy. I felt happier, looking forward to the day.There was a day about two weeks after that I so full of energy, I realised I hadn't felt like that since the previous year. That energy continued and I've been following recipes now for 7 weeks and it's still getting better. I still get the aches and dips in energy, but nowhere near like before. Every day feels good now and I'm getting so much done workwise and personally. I haven't had any exhausting days since I began, and they were at least once a week before that.I wasn't planning to lose weight, but I've dropped kilos and gone down a size. That is motivating in its own way. People are commenting on how well I look--skin, too. If it was a diet, I'd probably had given up, but because I was sick of being sick and my aim was to feel better, I stuck to following the recipes. I also began yoga seriously and meditation every day.The more I do, the better I feel, and the recipes sparked that positive feedback loop.What you eat naturally affects how your body functions. If you put loads of sugar in, your body will freak out and you'll get sick. If you just eat meat alone, your body can't handle it. If you put in a mix of balanced nutritional elements in the form of meals, you'll feel better, look better. Be happier.The other big thing is that cravings for junk food stopped. Now, I snack on edamame, toasted pumpkin seeds and nuts, not chips. I just don't get the cravings for chocolate or chips and I don't miss them. If you're suffering from depression or mental health issue, or chronic unwellness, I really recommend trying the recipes and seeing what happens. It's worth it. I'm ever grateful to Rachel and Alice, her nutritionist, for researching and writing this book. :)

The most important part of a cookbook is the recipes. Rachel's designer must not be a cook. The recipes are in an unreadable, tiny font, pale grey color. Why? Why didn't the editor catch this? Black and white, 14 pt type is what is needed here - be fancy somewhere else. Good thoughts and good recipes will never be understood and made if they are unreadable.

I LOVE this book :-) because it tells you exactly what you need to do to feel better about yourself, through food and vitamins!!!! I first found out about Rachel by stumbling across her second book, ‘Walking on Sunshine’, I was completely blown over. There in this hidden gem, are daily anecdotes that really inspired me to feel better. It was if the book had a magic potion attached to it. I would wake, my brain feeling rather cloudy, after some exercise, I would pick up the book and read it over breakfast. By the time I finished reading and eating, I was ready for a brand new day. I must also add that it helped me overcome a hugely challenging moment in my life.Walking on Sunshine has this innate ability to make you feel like you are completely surrounded by love. Such is the power of the author. And because you know she had to go on this journey of healing, in order to lift out of the challenging moments she herself had faced, makes the read all the more worthwhile. It is this authenticity about the author that makes her such a compelling force. She writes from truth. Her truth. Her writing isn’t a fad, it’s honest, inspiring anecdotes, that Rachel had to find within herself, in order to survive. I feel so immensely proud that she not only found the strength to get through that time, but had the grace of heart to want to write and share these health giving tips, to us. In the hope that we would feel better about whatever situation we are facing.Other cook books or medical books explain things in ways that always seem to leave me feeling confused. Where as in the “Happy Kitchen' the authors give you the ingredients and necessary information and then recap it at the end of the page, to make it understandable to 'dim wits' like myself. Not only did I find this an inspiring read, it has given me key insights into vitamins, minerals and foods that can help me live a more happier and balanced existence within the chaos of a city structure. It even has a chart detailing when fruits and vegetables are in season!!!!! It’s these simple things that can help us nurse our way back to optimum health. The recipes are Delicious, I haven’t done all of them yet!!!! But I have to say the chocolate brownies are the beeeesssttttttt!!!! :-)The Happy Kitchen equals A Happy Life, for me anyway!!!! Genius is in the Simplicity. Thank you once again Rachel Kelly.

As a registered nutritional therapist and having my own personal experience with anxiety and depression I have found this book invaluable. It is beautifully written and photographed. Rachel's approach is very realistic and she shares her own personal journey throughout the book. I particularly like that the recipes are based on sound research and endorsed by nutritional therapist Alison Mackintosh. The book is divided into 7 chapters focussing on different aspects of mental health e.g. Beating the Blues, Mental Clarity, Sweet Dreams and Comfort Food so you can dip into the section relevant to how you are feeling. Within each chapter there are recipes marked "feeling fragile" when you need something quick and easy to make. I have 2 teenage children and they have loved the recipes too - our favourites so far - Salmon & Prawn Teriyaki Skewers, Satisfying Prawn Penne with Broccoli, Walnut & Rocket Pesto, Cinnamon, Almond and Lamb Curry, Tropical Vitamin C Smoothie, Warming Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry and Chicken Pie - quite a good selection!

A unique recipe book which gives lots of information on maintaining good mental health through diet. Written with personal notes and backed up with information from a nutritionist, it's more than just a list of recipes. The recipes are all lovely, easy to make with ingredients you will be able to find in your local supermarket. One of my favourite books recommended to me by my sister and I bought a copy for my mother-in-law because she loved it too!

I was given this book for my birthday, and I absolutely love it. My favourite recipes are the Happy Smoothie, and the spinach crepes but all the recipes I have tried have been delicious. My home made granola has gone down a treat with the whole family and I frequently refer to the mood food list at the back of the book. I genuinely feel calmer and happier since following the advice in this book.

Beautifully written. I've read the first part about Rachel Kelly's story and reasons for writing the book several times as they really struck a chord. The recipes themselves that I've tried so far have been delicious and I look forward to working my way through the rest of the book. I love the link between mind and body that is emphasised throughout. Would highly recommend.