Food for the Soul by Chana Rubin RD, Gefen Publishing House 2008. 330 pages, soft cover.
Dietician Chana Rubin offers good guidelines for a healthy lifestyle. We all know that this means eating healthy, exercising, and losing weight. That's fine in theory but how exactly can we accomplish this when leading a food-centered kosher/observant lifestyle. The focus on these issues makes this book a must-read for the kosher diner and homemaker.

Food for the Soul opens with a discussion of the Jewish tradition of caring for ones health, backed up with quotes from the Torah and a variety of sources. The Jewish tradition regards women at the focus of the home so all you ladies out there,,,, your good health and the good health of your family is in your hands. So get with the program!

Rubin goes into great detail about the various food groups, creating a balanced diet and and how eating effects our health. With will-power most of us can get our eating under control. In fact, Rubin points out, kosher diners have an advantage in that they are already programmed to observe dietary restrictions. They can apply the discipline of kashruit to a healthier diet as well.

But the fact remains that Shabbat comes around every week, and Chagim present a serious threat to a balanced diet. Rubin addresses this issue with tips on serving foods that are healthier while retaining the traditional menus. There is a section on Pesach food preparation and even some tips for fast days. The pages are peppered with quotes from Jewish sources including the Rambam, Rav Kook, Rav Menachem Schneerson, the Mishna, etc. This adds to the read and is added incentive for following the suggestions.

The second part of the book begins with menu ideas for weekday and holidays. It continues with over one-hundred simple, tasty and healthy recipes. Rubin offers suggestions for cutting back the carbs on traditional foods like Kugels. In one curious recipe, Rubin offers a side by side comparison between the original version and a more healthy versions of Hungarian Mushroom Soup.

Foodies, health enthusiasts and perennial dieters will know a lot of the rules outlined in this book. People in the know will enjoy the book for its tips and reinforcement. Folks new to dieting and just learning about good nutrition will learn a great deal in these pages.


About the Author: Chana Rubin, RD earned her degree in dietetics at Oregon State University. She has worked in dietetics at a Jewish nursing home, hospitals, schools, and as a consultant to physicians. She currently resides in Be’er Sheba, Israel, where she teaches nutrition, sensible eating, and healthy, tasty cooking.

This book is available at:
Gur Arieh Bookstore, Yoel Solomon St 8, Jerusalem
Tel: 02-625-7486. Fax: 02-625-4265

Books can be ordered from eLuna.co, for delivery in Israel only. For delivery outside Israel order directly from the publisher.