The Holistic Moms Network (HMN) - a national non-profit organization with over 115 chapters across the United States - recently released the cookbook Growing Healthy Families: Cooking with Holistic Moms. This recipe-packed holistic must-have showcases a variety of nutritional philosophies and flavors, from vegetarian, vegan, raw food and gluten-free to ethnic and meat-centered dishes.

Eat simply

“We don’t all agree on what we should eat,” says Nancy Massoto, HMN’s executive director, “but we find common ground in the value of eating simply and eating unprocessed whole foods.”

Though Growing Healthy Families is not a diet book, it does provide a delicious array of mom- and kid-tested recipes that prove eating healthy does not mean consuming food that is boring or bland.

Healthy children are the priority

Many parents turn to natural, holistic health for their children’s well-being - as children and into adulthood. Once parents adopt a healthy lifestyle, they serve as healthy role models for their family.

Chef Ann Cooper, who is transforming school lunch menus across the country with her organic, regional and seasonal food programs, says “Feeding children healthy, delicious, nutritious food should be one of our highest priorities. This cookbook will help toward that end as well as provide wonderful food to share at the table.”

Healthy, holistic family recipes

Growing Healthy Families has delish dishes to satisfy ever palate and dietary need. The book is divided into helpful categories and even has a section with recipes for homemade baby wipes, baby formula, non-toxic household cleaners, holistic remedies and body care products.

Here are three healthy recipes that, when combined, make a mouthwatering dinner menu for a family of four.

Roasted Eggplant and Pine Nut Puree*
Serves 4 to 6

If you like baba ganoush (a Middle Eastern puree of eggplant and tahini), you will love this roasted eggplant puree. Enjoy it as a spread for toast or crackers and as a dip for cut vegetables.

Ingredients:
1 pound eggplant
Olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic
Sea salt, to taste
Fresh lemon juice
Black pepper, to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped basil, plus basil leaves for garnish
12 slices toasted baguette

Directions:
1. Preheat broiler. Peel eggplant and slice it into rounds about 1/2-inch thick. Brush both sides of each with olive oil. Set on a sheet pan in one layer. Broil 6 inches from the heat until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Turn and brown on the other side. When done, stack slices so they can continue to steam and finish cooking.

2. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat until golden. Pound garlic and pine nuts with 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth. Coarsely chop eggplant, then work it into a somewhat rough puree with a mortar and pestle or in the food processor. Add a little lemon juice and season with salt, black and red pepper, and herbs.

3. Spread the puree on the toasts or crackers and garnish with a whole fresh basil leaf. Refrigerate leftovers. If puree dries out, just mix in a little olive oil until you achieve a desired consistency.

*Recipe from Deborah Madison’s Local Flavors

Marinated Salmon
Serves 4 to 6

A simple meal high in omega-3s and low in sodium. Replacing soy sauce with Bragg Liquid Aminos improves the nutritional profile of this delish dish. Try Bragg’s in place of salt, soy sauce and tamari.

Ingredients:
1/8 cup Bragg Liquid Aminos
1/8 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 pounds boneless salmon fillet, skin on

Directions:
Put Bragg’s, lemon juice, olive and garlic in a small glass bowl with a lid and shake. Place fillet skin-side down in a baking pan. Pour marinade on fish and bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes, or until fish flakes easily.

Sesame Almond Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies

These almond-packed cookies are dairy-free, using tofu in place of eggs, and butter-free. The sesame seeds, almonds and olive oil give these cookies a heart-healthy star.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
3/4 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
4 ounces silken tofu
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon almond extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, stir together the flours, baking powder and salt. Mix in the sesame seeds and almonds.

2. In another bowl, mash the tofu and combine with olive oil, sugar and almond extract and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the flour mixture.

3. Roll the flour mixture into one-inch balls, flatten between your palms and place them on ungreased baking sheets. Bake the cookies about 10 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.

Growing Healthy Families is priced at $15 and can be ordered at HolisticMoms.org.