Cookbook

[drgirlfriend]

Hi Everyone!

Ever since the bf's kidneys went south in February, I have been struggling with some aspects of the renal diet. Granted, one Dr. had him on the impossible Acid/Alkaline diet there for a while. I'm sure that many people have said "I should write a cookbook!" but I am very seriously considering it. My main complaints with the books and recipes I've been able to find are:

1) Outdated references, ingredients and styles of food. (Don't even get me started on non-dairy whipped topping!)

2) Lots of cookbooks are out of print/websites taken down.

3) The books that are still in print cost more than I can afford.

4) Recipes that just plain don't work.

5) "Cookbooks" that consist of 10 recipes.

6) No pictures.

What do you think? What things about renal diet recipes/cookbooks drive you nuts? Would you buy a new renal cookbook if it was $25 or less? Do you think a renal/diabetic cookbook would be more useful than a renal only? Would renal/diabetic sell better than a renal only?

Thanks for your input!! 

[cattlekid]

I agree that the renal cookbooks that I have seen are hopelessly outdated.  I need quick meals, things that I can either put in the crockpot, or something that I can prepare in a half-hour or less.  I don't want artificial ingredients (like the non-dairy whipped topping you mentioned, or non-dairy creamer).  I also want FLAVOR.  Most of the renal recipes that I have seen look like they would be completely flavorless. 

I have yet to purchase a renal cookbook for most of those reasons.  I'd much rather work from recipes that I have already tried prior to the renal diet and just modify them as needed.

And personally, I'd rather not have a diabetic/renal cookbook as I am not diabetic.  But I can see where it might be useful. 

[drgirlfriend]

Thank you, cattlekid! Crockpot - YES! Glad you mentioned that because I enjoy using mine when I can.

[pitagory]

I would definitely buy it I am Diabetic so I would consider mabye adding recipes for both diabetic or none diabetic. or like say "if diabetic substitute this for that" that way you cater to both. I have a hard time because I am Mexican and a lot of the cook books don't have the ingredients that I normally use around the house. And I have to cook for me and my family so I cant find kidney frindely Mexican cook book Hummm thats and Idea.

[drgirlfriend]

 
pitagory! You just found your calling! I am from CA and love Mexican food. I have trouble going a week without it, which is very hard here in Fayetteville, NC! Luckily I am not the one on the renal diet. I like your idea about "if diabetic, substitute...". I will put that on the list.

[MooseMom]

I am not diabetic, either, so I probably would not buy a renal/diabetic cookbook.  That said, though, I'd be happy buying a cookbook that was renal but had ways to make each recipe better for diabetics like pitagory suggested.

I'd really like a cookbook that featured a "swap" section, ie, "If you want fresh fruit, swap bananas for berries."  That type of thing.  "Instead of this, have that."

[MooseMom]

I have a hard time because I am Mexican and a lot of the cook books don't have the ingredients that I normally use around the house. And I have to cook for me and my family so I cant find kidney frindely Mexican cook book Hummm thats and Idea.

I love Mexican food and would really like more advice on renally friendly menus.  What DO you cook for your family that you can safely eat?

[pitagory]

I have a hard time because I am Mexican and a lot of the cook books don't have the ingredients that I normally use around the house. And I have to cook for me and my family so I cant find kidney friendly Mexican cook book Hummm that's and Idea.

I love Mexican food and would really like more advice on renally friendly menus.  What DO you cook for your family that you can safely eat?

Some are rice and chicken Mexican style  and others like Mole rojo, carne asada burrito.. I am going to right them up and post them on here. as soon as I have a little time on my hands 

[Traveller1947]

I dialyze at a very large center--I can't begin to count the number of ethnicities represented.  How about an INTERNATIONAL cookbook?  Everyone could contribute.  If there is to be only one cookbook, then renal/diabetic would be fair.  Under $25 would be doable.  It's a large undertaking, but a great idea, drgirlfriend.  Thanks from all of us.

[drgirlfriend]

Thank you, Traveller1947! I need all the input I can get. And I would totally dig an international cookbook! Don't think I could coordinate that right now, but I'd contribute!

I have been investigating exactly how to write a cookbook and the publishing choices. It's kinda crazy! Right now I'm hoping I can get something together that a publisher will take on. I'm not really sold on paying for printing and marketing myself at this point. I'm putting together a blog as web presence and writing a brief proposal for Kickstarter.com. Kickstarter is a cool fundraising tool that I'd like to take advantage of to at least get enough funding to write and test the recipes. Some people use Kickstarter to fund their entire project start to finish, but I'm not feeling that ambitious at this stage of the game.

[Traveller1947]

Were you thinking of an e-book or an ink-and-paper cookbook, drgirlfriend?  I've never heard of Kickstarter.com, but will go and take a look. 

[drgirlfriend]

I'd like to do both. I am of the age where ink-and-paper books are still preferable. I love my cookbooks cause I can write notes and look at the pretty pictures! If I'm unable to get an actual book out there, I'll at least make a pdf version available.

[Traveller1947]

For a cookbook, I definitely prefer ink-and-paper.  Have you thought about looking into those generally spiral-bound ones that churches and junior leagues use for fund-raising?  They want their money up-front, but I would think most people here wouldn't mind paying in advance for such a valuable book.  We all could use book like that.

[davecapper]

I would say I have to agree with that. When i wrote my renal cookbooks, one of the reasons was because those who wrote them thought they were sending you a gold bracelet or something. Very, very expensive!! I have written two now and try to keep the price down under $25, including shipping.

Most dialysis patients I know cannot afford expensive books. No offense to those on dialysis, but with rising medical costs, even with insurance, and transportation, and meds and on and on, money is not as plentiful as it was when the person was able to work full time and had extra disposable cash.

I have seen renal cookbooks that sell for much more and are, as you said here, outdated and do not include simple cost concious recipes. I try to do both as I actually cook for someone on dialysis with a limited food budget. Not all are simple and not all are cheap, but there is a range of recipes.

If I can help with recipes, please ask me.

Dave