Naturally Lean: 125 Nourishing Gluten-Free, Plant-Based Recipes -- All Under 300 Calories

If you're a fan of her previous books and looking for plant-based recipes that are under 300 calories but aren't necessarily healthy, then Naturally Lean could be a great choice. Since I didn't have previous experience with Allyson's recipes, I bought this cookbook based on the cover and the description and I don't feel like either captures the spirit of the book. Based on the blurb, I was hoping for more in the way of healthy, intriguing plant-based recipes, and not so many treat-type recipes.Part of it could be the organization. It is challenging to follow and doesn't really make sense. Naturally Lean is organized from Greens & Crucifers to Hearty Grains to Fabulous Fruits to Nuts & Seeds to Legumes to Squash, Roots & Mushrooms. What this means from a practical point of view is the desserts are randomly interspersed among the savory recipes without any apparent logic to their placement. The Nuts & Seeds chapter starts with "Insanely Addictive Queso", then meanders from Pad Thai Soba Noodles to Walnut Eggplant Dip to Cherry Chia Bars to Granola to Cookies to Ice Cream to nut milks and cheeses to Mayo. The Fabulous Fruits chapter also has an ice cream recipe, which separated from a sorbet and an orange ice by a mousse, which are then followed by a BBQ sauce.There are a lot of recipes for things I consider to be junk food. When I pre-ordered this based on the description and the cover image, I expected plant-based recipes that would be relatively healthy for me to consume at under 300 calories per serving. Instead, about one quarter of the recipes are for cookies, brownie bites, milk shakes, donuts, queso, gelato, cheesecake, and a variety of other things that are not really nourishing nor low in sugar (which is not one of the nutritional components provided - only calories, fat, sodium, potassium, carbs, and protein).I did make the Breakfast unScramble for myself tonight. It was pretty good, although not especially flavorful. There are a couple other things I'm curious to try, like the oil-free hummus and the mighty mac & collards (which uses the queso), but otherwise there is unfortunately not a huge amount here that appeals to me.

Every single recipe that I have made in this book has been fantastic and simple!

Good book with some easy recipes that you don't have to buy a lot of special ingredients to make.

Fantastic book for my family with food restrictions.

Good info & easy, tasty recipes.

Love this book! I really like the plant based 300 calorie or less! If you are watching your health & weight control this a good gauge for transitioning people!! Love love she makes food w/no oils!!

This book is fine... but it's not terribly exciting for my tastes. On the plus side, there are pictures for every recipe and clear instructions along with full nutritional information. I will cook from this, but it won't be an every day type of book for me.

Very disappointed with the lack of recipe photos.