Two friends both recommended Derval O’Rourke’s cookbook “Food for the Fast Lane” around Christmas. I’d noticed it in shops a few weeks earlier but hadn’t really been drawn in, as I presumed it wouldn’t have been family friendly and would be all about the protein shakes. But with these sensible (in a good way) friends recommending it I was intrigued and I ordered it online, just to be sure.
Food for the Fast Lane is more than a cookbook, the book is interspersed with motivational quotes and stories. It opens with Derval explaining how she got in to healthier eating herself, it’s interesting to hear that despite being a professional athlete she hadn’t much interest in nutrition. Our girl came good though, she learned and then she did a cookery course too so she knows what she’s talking about here too.
Derval shares her shopping list (which includes full-fat milk and two types of cheese, yay) and explains why she eats the way she eats. She outlines the supplements she takes and why. And it’s not preachy, and it’s believable. But most importantly for a cookbook it looks, and sounds, delicious.
Derval, a previous world champion hurdler, comes across not as a condescending guru but as a likeable, normal person who has her failings too, but is doing her best nutrition wise. She confesses to not be a breakfast person, and we benefit from the confession with her breakfast on the run recipes including cookies and muffins. Can you see why I like this book?
Recipe wise the ingredients are fairly run of the mill for a household in 2015, coconut oil, quinoa and agave syrup being the more unusual ones. Some of the recipes require protein powder but it’s one ingredient I’ve never used, so I just avoided the recipes with it.
My four-year-old’s current favourite dinner is the Quick Coconut and Basil chicken which after I explained about the author of the book to him he calls “the fastest lady’s chicken dinner” ❤️ and he’s a fan of the Chocolate Chip Cookies too. The book keeps going missing from the shelf and I find that the boys have been going through it. That doesn’t happen often around here, and when it does it’s usually baking books that are gone. If that’s not a recommendation for a cookbook for a family I don’t know what is.
Image: Gill & MacMilla
On the recipes, there’s a good mix, breakfasts, snacks, soups, salads and main meals ranging from curries and stews to fish and potatoes. I’ve tried the Baked Hake and Smashed Spuds for dinner (excellent), the Quick Choccie Chip Cookies are very popular here (we usually have make a double batch and my four-year-old is thrilled to be able to make them by himself). Our favourite so far is the Quick Coconut and Basil Chicken, I’ll share that recipe tomorrow. (It’s worth waiting for, and I haven’t typed it up yet).
I want to do some more of the baking recipes (Jamie Heaslip’s Brownies anyone?) but there’s other good stuff too, I’ve my sights set on the Roast Butternut and Quinoa Salad, my six-year-old is delighted to find Apple & Carrot Muffins in the breakfast section so is canvassing me to make them, oh and Power Pancakes too although they contain the protein powder so we’ll see.
There’s nothing too complicated about the recipes and they’re tasty too.
This cookbook really is a great addition to our collection, and I highly recommend it.
Here’s the good news- I bought my own copy but when I liked it so much I thought you would too so I contacted the publishers who agreed to give me a copy to give away to one lucky reader.
To win simply either
Comment below
OR
Like and comment on the post announcing this competition on my Facebook page.
(or do both to be entered twice)
The competition is open to residents of Ireland only
The winner will be announced on that day and must contact me by email or private message on the blog facebook page or Twitter providing their address within a week. Entries close at 7pm 1st April 2015. If the winner doesn’t claim their prize by contacting me within 7 days of the competition closing I’ll redraw the winner. The prize will be provided by publishers Gill and Macmillan who will send it to the winner.
I was not paid to do this review and bought my own copy of the book, but Gill and Macmillan will provide the prize. All opinions are my own.
Good luck!
Oooh this book is currently on my wish list. It certainly sounds family friendly. I avoid recipes that use protein powder too. Looking forward to the Coconut & Basil Chicken recipe!
I would love to win this 🙂
Yes please I would really love this book
Sounds like a great book hate protein powder too would love to win
That sounds really good. I love that your kids take your cookbooks off the shelf – wish mine would do that!
Puts fast food in a while new perspective 😉
Oh count me in, could do with some inspiration!
Would love this, it’s on my list to purchase so if I won if be delighted. Great review.
ooh yes please!
I love this book too, got it from the library & I soo want to buy it.
Love your’e review Thank You xxx
This is currently languishing in my wishlist on Book Depository and I’d love a copy! Healthy recipes that are actually doable? Yes please! 🙂
Yes please, always looking for new recipes! Sounds lovely.
Sounds like a great book. Always looking for new recipes in this house!
As a new aspiring cook, beans on toast is not a suitable dinner after the age of 21. I would love to win this prize!
Yes Please, always looking for new recipes to try !
Lovely jubbly!
Great giveaway!
Would love a copy of this, heard the curry was great too.
Really want to try this book and all Derval’s fab recipes.
Saw Derval on tv, thought book would be good.
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Oh would love this!
this book should give me inspiration for some mouth watering meals, yummy!
it will be nice to win it
Would love it! Looking forward to the chicken recipe tomorrow, dying to try something new, throw up the cookie recipe too if you get a chance!
I wrote this last night so it’s already here Sarah, look at the home page and it’s the top post now
That would be lovely!Sounds like the perfect book for me 🙂
Congratulations Sarah Mulville you won! Please contact me by email bumblesofrice@gmail.com to arrange for the book to be sent to you
good luck everyone 🙂
Please pick me I can’t wait to try out those recipes – sounds like sensible food made easy..
Ooh, I think Arūnas would love this.mhe even has a stash of protein powder!
Would love to win Derval’s book please
Would love to win this. I’m trying to get the courage to start running again as I’m in desperate need of exercise and healthy food. I think this book will motivate me.
Would love this book…I’m busy working Mum need quick dinners for during the week and love baking with the kids at the weekend:-)
Would be a great book to have as it has lots of healthy recipes
Can’t wait to win it!!! 🙂
Definitely a book for the other half-fitness mad and really getting into the old running.
Would love to win
Lets win and eat some good food from the last lane!
would really love to win this
Derval’s book sounds brilliant. would love to win this as I’ve started to watch every thing that passes my lips and try to stick to healthy recipes. A healthy cook book with motivational messages is just what the doctor ordered 🙂
I love cooking and seeing her cook some of her recipes on TV has made me yearn for this book!
Would love to win this
Great review. Would live to win the book but if not, then I’ll likely buy a copy regardless 🙂
Sounds like a really useful and interesting book.
Would love this!
great prize”any healthy options books is for me”
Would love this book!
would love this. Thank you
Include me too, being meaning to buy this book!!
Would love this book
Healthy food, done well, done fast, what a great book. Pick me please
Sounds like a great addition to the cook book stash!
Book sounds great, thanks for organising this!
I’d love to win this!
This would really help me to get back on track with healthy eating in the run up to my holidays! Thanks!
love to win this book
this sound like what we need now as we are both getting back to the gym working out after a busy few months. have to get into shape for our holidays!
Desperately need new food ideas!
This would be great for quick and easy recipes after work everyday 🙂
That’s a glowing review! I’m sold!
I love cookbooks but this one hasn’t been on my radar until now…thanks! Off to retweet…
Would love this for my collection!!!
Would be great to get some new dinner inspirations that the whole family would eat for me
it sounds fantastic, with lots of new ideas and ingredients for me! would love to try the coconut and basil chicken! x
Would love this ! I’m an avid runner & would love to try some of her recipes 🙂
id love to give it a read 🙂
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