* Note: I received this book for free, in return for a guarantee that I would review it. Having said that, I say what I want—good and bad, happy and sad.

As I sat down with this book, I was not sure what to expect.

Was it a book about diet and healthy living or was it a cookbook? I am happy to say that it is both of these—and a whole lot more.

Author Meghan Telpner, Certified Nutritionist (or “Nutritionista” as she calls herself) has written a book that is both practical and fun (“super fun, and a dash or two of awesometown”) but is truly a manual for healthy living. Having lived through a serious health crisis herself, Meghan’s relates to readers as though she truly understands how they feel.

The book is divided into 10 chapters that cover the foundations of health and wellness, “Just Eat Real Food,” staying hydrated, and “Kicking the Cravings.”

The author explains why calorie counting doesn’t work, and how to eat to truly nourish our bodies—without weighing, measuring or counting. There are helpful tables for herbs—including what each is effective for-—and other tables listing things like food additives and ingredients to avoid.

There is also a chapter titled “Making Love in the Kitchen,” which encourages readers to discover reasons to enjoy spending more time cooking and “save your moolah for other fun stuff”.

Each chapter includes several recipes (wheat-free and dairy-free) for breakfast (Morning Green Juice Shazaam, My Favorite Granola), lunch (Cran-Apple Green Salad, Veggie Rice Wraps) dinner (One-Pot Stir-Fry, Lemon Lentil Vegetable Soup) and snack ideas (Spiced Apple-Carrot Muffins) as well as ways to enjoy drinking more water and even some sweet treats (Almond Power Cookies, Banana Chocolate Soft Serve).

The author takes healthy living one step further by also discussing exercise, sleep, practical ideas for reducing our garbage, making natural cleaning products and even includes a few recipes for homemade beauty treatments.

The book concludes with a message:

“For the most part, the lifestyle essentially takes care of itself and once we begin to feel amazing in our body, our mood naturally lifts to one of optimism, productivity, and hopefully a sense of calm from knowing that you, yes you, Little Miss Thang, are in full control of your health.”

Also included is an eight-week plan for getting your UnDiet life on track, including recipes that are found throughout the book.

If you are looking for an easy and effective guide to get your health on track, UnDiet is a great addition to anyone’s book collection. Readers will find delicious recipes and practical strategies for healthy living, all delivered in a fun and quirky writing style that reads like a chat with a good friend.

I recommend this book and also Meghan’s corresponding web site , which offers even more recipes and information.

“When we raise the bar of how we think of and care for ourselves, that bar gets raised in all aspects of our lives.”

Who could argue with that?

Terri Tremblett is a writer and editor who also works in finance and dabbles in various artistic pursuits. She is a foodie and health detective who has not yet mastered the art of walking by a book store without going in. Her education did not end when she finished university, as her life regularly proves.

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Ed: Bryonie Wise