• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • My Account
  • Cart
Julie's Kitchenette
  • About
    • Gluten-Free Coaching
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Product Reviews
    • Cookbook Reviews
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Baking Mixes
    • Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Cocktails
    • Dessert
    • Main Dish
    • Pantry
    • Sauces
    • Soups
  • Videos
  • Classes
    • Gluten-Free Bread Class
    • Pie Party!
    • Team Building + Corporate Wellness + Artisan Maker Workshops
  • Cookbooks
    • Gluten-Free Farmhouse Breads Ebook
    • GF + V Bread eBook
    • Vegan Casseroles
    • Vegan Pizza
    • Vegan Diner
  • Contact

Cookbook Review & Giveaway

June 25, 2014 By Julie Hasson

This review is way, way overdo. But you know how life gets in the way of things. Anyway, a Facebook friend (thank you Courtney!) had first told me about this cookbook, just after it came out. She was raving about the recipes, and said that I had to give it a try. So when I got the opportunity to give it a test drive and see what I thought, I had to agree. This is a great cookbook! The book is called Give Them Something Better by Sarah Frain and Stephanie Howard. They also have a website by the same name with recipes there too.

The book is plant-based, and the recipes are solid, and are the kind of recipes that you reach for again and again. They aren’t fancy or gourmet, but are hearty, delicious and satisfying. I even made a few of the soup recipes in the book at our food cart. I slightly tweaked the corn chowder recipe by swapping the canned corn for a bag of frozen organic sweet corn, and smoked paprika and chipotle powder for the dried basil. The soup was delicious, and always a customer favorite. That’s what I love about these recipes. They are solid and delicious as is, but you can also easily adapt them with stellar results. The author also keeps sugar to a minimum, and calls for maple syrup and alternative sweeteners in many of the recipes. I did notice honey called for in the Lemon Pie recipe, but I’m sure you could easily sub it with agave syrup. Most of the recipes appear to be gluten-free, or at least easily adaptable.

There are still a lot of recipes that I’m excited to try, like the Oatmeal Patties, which are a spin on veggie burgers and look delicious topped with homemade gravy, and the Chicken Stew, Unsausages, Better Burgers, Special T Loaf and more. The recipes are all easy to make, and would also be a great cookbook for those looking for solid vegan recipes that are easy, delicious, nutritious, and hearty.  And, while I’m at it, Stephanie Howard wrote a second book with Anneliese Howard called Kidlicious. This book is full of easy to make, healthy and delicious recipes, but all geared toward children. These are recipes that you can make both for and with your kids. All of the recipes are kid-friendly and very tasty too. I wish that we had this cookbook when my kids were young and we first went vegetarian. My kids would have loved it!

The recipes run from fun breakfast recipes like a fun version of banana splits (made with scoops of oatmeal), whole wheat pancakes, Gluten-Free Power Waffles, Scrambled Tofu, and Breakfast Pizzas to healthy snacks like Rainbow Fruit Roll Ups, Cauliflower Popcorn, Sneaky Green Zucchini Patties, Baked Kale Chips and more.  There’s also a  “Thinking Outside The Lunch Box” chapter, a “Family Meal” chapter, “The Occasional Sweet” chapter and a “Food Without Labels…Make It Yourself Chapter”.  The recipes all look delicious and most look to be gluten-free too (with the exception of a few), and all are clearly labeled. There are even mysteries sprinkled throughout the book for kids to discover and solve.

I think the publisher is an Adventist publisher, as there is an ad in the back of the book for The Bible Story and a few tiny references to scripture in the book. But you really have to look pretty hard to find them. This is a book geared to getting kids to eat healthy in a plant-based, vegan way. And, even though it’s geared towards kids, it has some great recipes! If I can ever get my son to start cooking regularly at college, I know that he will especially love some of these dishes! Lucky for you all that Stephanie Howard has sent me a copy of both books, to share with my readers. So, all you have to do is leave a comment along with your name and a way to reach you (should you win). I will pick 2 winners (one for each book) via Random Number Generator). I will leave this giveaway open until July 3rd. Oh, and unfortunately it’s only open to US addresses. Good luck everyone!

I received no financial compensation for this review, and shared my honest feelings about these cookbooks. I was given a copy of both books to review and giveaway.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • FriendFeed
  • Tumblr
  • Identi.ca
  • Print
  • email
  • Add to favorites


More from Julie

  • Whole Grain Vegan BakingWhole Grain Vegan Baking
  • Big Vegan Virtual Potluck & GiveawayBig Vegan Virtual Potluck & Giveaway
  • A Bit Of This & ThatA Bit Of This & That
  • My New Gluten-Free Bread Book is Here!My New Gluten-Free Bread Book is Here!

Filed Under: Cookbook Reviews Tagged With: book review, Give Them Something Better, julie hasson, Kidlicious, Stephanie Howard, vegan cookbooks

Previous Post: « Strawberry Shortcake (gluten-free & vegan)
Next Post: Italian Cornmeal Cake (gluten-free & vegan) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Peace Patch

    June 25, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Both books sound like a great resource, especially if they have burger recipes! I remember coming across Stephanie’s website awhile back when I was looking for a Frito Pie recipe for a party…I found it (http://www.givethemsomethingbetter.com/blog/meatless-monday-healthy-vegan-frito-pie) and lots of others that looked superyumful! Many thanks! 🙂

  2. Marti Miller Hall

    June 25, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Pick me! Pick me! I have these, and there are some GREAT recipes, but would love an additional copy of either one, as I think they’d be GREAT gifts for several newly vegan friends who are wanting easy-basic vegan recipes.

  3. Molly Vandergriff Nelson

    June 25, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    I would love to win this! I am one of Mari Miller Hall’s newly vegan friends!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Love this Molly!

  4. Cassie Adams

    June 25, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    The Kidlicious cookbook looks right up my ally! My husband and I both graduated with health related degrees and really want our baby boy to be as healthy as he can be as he grows up. I’m a vegetarian again, too, so this book seems perfect for my little family. It might be one I will just have to buy in the future anyway!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:43 am

      That’s so awesome Cassie!

  5. Courtney Simpson

    June 25, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    I’m glad you (finally) got a copy! 😉

    I make the chicken salad sandwich spread all the time using Vegenaise. But I like making their aioli as well, it’s really good. Those oat burgers are good too!

    I need to try the new kids cookbook! The recipes sound good…

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:44 am

      Courtney, thank you for telling me about the cookbook in the first place! Now I need to go try the chicken salad sandwich.

  6. Marcy

    June 25, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    Sounds good! Would love to win a copy of “Give Them Something Better”.

  7. Nicole

    June 25, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Surprisingly, I haven’t heard of either of these cookbooks but they both sound amazing (especially the first one). Great review, Julie!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:44 am

      Thanks Nicole!

  8. Stephanie Dreuer

    June 25, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    Thanks so much for these recos! I am always looking for good cookbooks and these look fantastic. I hope I win!

  9. Melissa C.

    June 25, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    My daughter is getting ready to start her third year of college and she is always cooking her own meals, so I am constantly on the lookout for books that she would find useful to build her collection. Either of these books would most likely be right up her alley.

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:49 am

      My son is also going into his third year Melissa. I hope this is the year he starts cooking for himself: )

  10. Krys

    June 25, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    These look like great books. Fun!

  11. Heather S

    June 25, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Oh they both look SO GOOD! Thanks for the chance to win!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:48 am

      You bet Heather!

  12. Monica

    June 25, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Hadn’t heard of these and am always looking for more recipe ideas.

  13. Theresa Robertson

    June 25, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    I think I am due….come on random number generator!

  14. Jill Russell

    June 25, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Always looking for kid friendly recipes my son will like…..:)

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:50 am

      I hear you on that one Jill!

  15. Melissa

    June 25, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    thanks for the chance to win, this book looks fantastic!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Sure Melissa!

  16. Stephanie Smitherman

    June 25, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    I am always looking for great vegan and vegetarian cookbooks to add to my collection and these look wonderful! I’d love to look through Kidlicious with my two boys to find new favorite recipes we can make together. This lady’s fingers are crossed!

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:47 am

      My fingers are crossed for you too Stephanie: )

  17. Samantha Kelley

    June 26, 2014 at 12:53 am

    Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Sure Samantha!

  18. joe

    June 26, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Never, with few exceptions, have I seen so many people in need of a cookbook. Julie, I just received Vegan Diner and it is wonderful. I will get this off Amazon and let someone else have the pleasure of winning. Like Isa says, you know your way around vegan meats. Many thanks for your posts and cookbooks. I enjoy them much. joe

    • Julie Hasson

      June 26, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Thank you so much Joe! I hope you enjoy Vegan Diner. I have another cookbook coming out this Fall called Vegan Casseroles: )

  19. Jennifer

    June 26, 2014 at 11:01 am

    I really love the title of this book. Thank you for reviewing it, I’ve never heard of it before and will definitely check this out at the bookstore.

  20. Tricia Z

    June 26, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    An interesting book! Seems like it could give us some great ideas that will be popular with our family. Thanks!

  21. Nancy

    June 26, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    I’ve been trying to incorporate more vegan type meals into my repetoire,,,, Both of these books look like their full of interesting ideas. Thank you for the chance for winning one of them!

  22. Ashley

    June 26, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win!! AMMauceri@gmail.com 🙂

  23. Beth

    June 26, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    Thanks for doing the review and giveaways — I hadn’t heard of either cookbook before, but they both sound great! The breakfast banana split with scoops of oatmeal is such a cute idea. 🙂

    By the way, I can’t wait for your Vegan Casseroles cookbook — I already pre-ordered it! 🙂

  24. Johanna

    June 27, 2014 at 12:46 am

    Super lovely to hear from you again. Thanks for the review.

  25. Becca

    June 27, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Both books look great. I’d love to win either one of them.

  26. Erika W.

    June 29, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    I would love to win either but I think the kids’ recipes would be awesome and so helpful!

  27. Lydia Claire

    July 1, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    I’d love to win either of these books!

  28. Samantha Plotkin

    July 2, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Would love to win either of these books! Give Them Something Better by Sarah Frain and Stephanie Howard looks especially good.
    –Samantha Plotkin ssremington atgmail.com

  29. Annette

    July 2, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    You had me hooked when you started talking soup – that’s my favorite food. I love the changes you made to the soup one.

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My New GF Farmhouse Bread Ebook!

GF + Vegan Farmhouse Bread | Julie's Kitchenette

Click here to watch our cooking videos!

Vegan Chocolate Pudding | Julie's Kitchenette

Our Natural Skincare Line

Our Natural Skincare Line

Hi I’m Julie!

Hi I’m Julie!

My Instagram

Keep up with Julie!

Never miss a recipe, announcement or Baking Mix sale!
Which emails would you like to receive?
Check out my privacy policy to learn how your email address will be used.

Our YouTube Channel

Our YouTube Channel

Vegan Casseroles!

Vegan Casseroles!

Vegan Pizza!

Vegan Pizza!

Vegan Diner!

Vegan Diner!

©Julie Hasson and Julie’s Kitchenette, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Julie Hasson and Julie’s Kitchenette with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Copyright © 2021 Julie Hasson • Privacy Policy • Site Design by Bauer Studios

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Julie's Kitchenette
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.