I have always enjoyed cookbooks, but recently I have been inspired to cook and my cookbook craze is in full swing. Although I get a lot of my recipes from magazines, friends, television, and the internet (including Pinterest), it seems I never tire of spending an afternoon with a cup of hot tea and a plethora of the hardbound varieties.

Weight-loss surgery is no excuse for not enjoying food or cooking. Most recipes can be adapted to fit bariatric guidelines. I've learned to substitute ingredients such as stock or broth for oil when sautéing vegetables or fish. Culprits such as dressings and sauces can most often be served on the side. 

In the beginning, just after surgery, I leaned closely to the old familiar recipes and those found is in old "dieting" cookbooks. Then soon I moved to the recipes that offered lighter versions of old favorites. Although I still enjoy those from time to time I have become more comfortable at adapting recipes from a few of the newest additions in my collection such as this one—"Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume." 

Although cookbooks have many recipes that can't be adapted to become bariatric friendly, I can still enjoy cooking new recipes for friends, dinner parties, and gatherings, or just looking at them in the photos. Which brings me to my first consideration when selecting a cookbook—each recipe must have a photo. They say you eat with your eyes first...but sometimes it's the only way to "eat them".... so find a new cookbook (or an old favorite) and enjoy!