Excerpted from Eat to Love by Mikaela Reuben. Copyright © 2025 Mikaela Reuben. Photographs by Robyn Penn. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
The connection between what we eat and how we feel—both physically and mentally—is undeniable. From heart health and quality sleep to long-term vitality, a nourishing diet is more than a trend—it’s a lifeline.
Research continues to show that nutrition plays a key role in preventing chronic illness, promoting restful sleep, and even extending life expectancy. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Yet, studies show that up to 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes—including diet. Similarly, the CDC reports that one in three adults in the U.S. does not get enough sleep, a factor closely linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Meanwhile, long-term studies like the Blue Zones research highlight the importance of plant-forward, minimally processed diets in communities known for exceptional longevity.
Fortunately, today’s cookbooks are doing more than just offering recipes—they offer life-changing guidance grounded in science and flavored with love. Here is one recent release that stands out in the growing field of food-as-medicine.
New Plant-Forward Cookbook
Eat to Love: Where Health Meets Flavor By Mikaela Reuben 115+ Nourishing and Adaptable Plant-Forward Recipes
Mikaela Reuben’s path to becoming a nutritional chef is anything but conventional. From cooking in a jungle wellness retreat to preparing meals for Olympic athletes and even celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday with food, Reuben has gathered her culinary wisdom from around the globe. Her cookbook Eat to Love: Where Health Meets Flavor: 115+ Nourishing and Adaptable Plant-Forward Recipes from a Nutritional Chef… is a celebration of food’s healing power, grounded in her belief that “food has always represented love.”
Rooted in her family’s history of survival and resilience—her grandparents were concentration camp survivors, and her father overcame a heart attack by changing his diet—Reuben brings personal conviction to every page. The book features nutrient-dense, whole-food, gluten-free recipes, clearly labeled for vegan, dairy-free, or grain-free diets.
Standout recipes include:
- Zucchini Parmesan Egg Muffins: A cheesy, high-protein, low-carb snack or brunch favorite. Delicious and indulgent without added oil or sugar.
- Citrus Olive Oil Cake: A delicate, vitamin E–rich dessert inspired by Reuben’s time in Italy. Light, citrusy, and ideal with a cup of tea.
- Edamame Cilantro Hummus: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and folate. Perfect for wraps, bowls, or snacking with fresh veggies.
Each recipe is tagged with nutritional icons—highlighting benefits like gut health, anti-aging, and detoxification—making it easy to tailor meals to your wellness goals.
Edamame Cilantro Hummus
Makes 4 servings
- 2 cups frozen shelled edamame
- ½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil + more to garnish
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice + more to taste
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1½ tablespoons gluten-free tamari
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin + more to taste
- ½ teaspoon sea salt + more to taste
Bring a small pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the edamame and boil for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender. Drain and let cool. If desired, set aside some edamame for garnish.
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse in the food processor or blend on medium-high, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until very thick and smooth. Adjust the seasoning with lemon juice, cumin, and salt. Garnish with the reserved edamame and olive oil, if desired.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Excerpted from Eat to Love by Mikaela Reuben. Copyright © 2025 Mikaela Reuben. Photographs by Robyn Penn. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
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