This book is a detailed compendium of all things nutritious and nourishing. A veritable Bible of whole foods, it has everything you’ll ever need to understand what and what not to feed your baby—as well as yourself. The best parts of the book debunk the traditional myths of what to feed your child then re-educate with solid science as to what to do differently—including a glossary of nutrients and many resources teaching you what to avoid. The how includes over 100 creative and delicious-looking recipes made with healthy whole foods and free from dairy-gluten-sugar as well as strategies for introducing your child to the world of “other people’s foods.” Catherine Barnhoorn gives you in-depth tools for raising your baby to be truly healthy, as opposed to the compromised type of health we’ve all come to expect on the average diet. You might just want to be reincarnated as her child!

- Dr. Sally Stone, author of Golden Words: The A-to-Z Toolkit for Changing Your Life One Word at a Time

This is a delightful and well-informed feast of a book that is especially written for children that suffer with food intolerances. Although my son Cassian is able to eat everything, I absolutely devour recipes that are free of the usual culprits like dairy, sugar and gluten. Catherine, the author, is especially mindful of gut health, too. The book comes with some great advice on eating for the soul

- Robyn Smith – Founder & Owner of Faithful-To-Nature.co.za

When I first got my hands on a copy of this book, I must own I did have some expectations. I was looking forward to receiving it, as I had heard good things about it, and was excited to be introduced to a new recipe book with some inspiring ideas in it for me and my daughter. Well I was completely blown away from the moment I opened the parcel (popped corn replaced yucky unrecyclable polystyrene chips in the packaging!) and held this fat tome in my hands. It has many more pages than I expected, and the reason for this is that Mila’s Meals is an incredibly thoroughly and well researched book about nutrition in children and most especially starting FROM THE BEGINNING with a diet that is nutritious and free from all the rubbish that gets put into our food today. Much of this rubbish is well hidden and that’s where Mila’s Meals really shines. This book is an education presented in a beautiful, readable, and FUN way!

- Janet for The Green Family Guide

Catherine’s book is well researched but very practical, which is key for ordinary cooks and newbie foodies out there. Plenty parents find themselves raising a child with food intolerances. So the solutions of sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free are very handy. The book also challenges chefs out there to do more than just toss this and that in the pan but to know where the food comes from and more importantly what’s in the food. Menu design must have these requirements catered for if it is indeed to feed with a conscience.

- Nompumelelo Mqwebu, Head Chef at Africa Meets Europe Cuisine & Food Writer for The Mercury Newspapers

A useful, informative guide to help young mothers feed their children healthy food alternatives, food that not only is safe for the child, but looks good and tastes delicious. This is a must study, must enjoy, healthy eating alternative not only for feeding children, but also for feeding ourselves as adults. Everything you could possibly ask about the difficult food industry is answered in this book. Beginning with her own story, Catherine leads the reader through her experiences and sets us up with a course of action: first and foremost, read the labels and be aware of what you are eating. She complements her discussions with concise charts of the good and the bad in different food groups. She lays out the research compiled on the subject of food intolerances and allergies, and she provides a great resource of recipes, from snacks to main course meals to yummy desserts, and all that you could possibly want in between. The glossary is succinct and very thorough and useful. This is a must have guide for all young mothers and for anyone who wants to eat healthily and stay healthy. Well done! A great resource. Love the photos of Mila.

- Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

This massive book is a mother-daughter team work. It shares much nutrition information and tips, plus one hundred recipes. The photography is delightful. This is an excellent book.

- Edouard Cointreau, President of the Jury - Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

This well-researched and masterfully created book is a true gift to aware parents who want to give their children the best start to life.

- Dr Hanna Grotepass (MBChB), Homeopath & Medical Doctor

At last, a wonderfully creative and thoroughly well researched work of immensely helpful and beneficial guidance, for us as parents! Food and health are inseparable. In today’s information age nutritional concepts can be all too confusing, especially when the information is focused on ‘what’ to eat, rather than exploring and understanding the ‘why’. This book introduces important and comprehensible ‘why’s’ of applying food as your medicine, while at the same time, offering truly sumptuous and easy to follow recipes to give our little genetic investments vibrant health and a greater connection to nature, of which we are all an integral part. Toward healing, awareness and peace! Thank you Catherine.

- Dr Jon Morley (MBChB), Holistic Medical Doctor

I highly recommended Mila's Meals - The Beginning & The Basics. Such a brilliantly conceived, carefully planned, beautifully photographed, thoughtful, forward thinking book... I can't praise your book enough. Hooked from your introduction where you make the connection between endometriosis & Candida... Your book hasn't left my reading table since I bought it on Friday. It has tapped very effectively into the future of eating.

- Yemisi Aribisala (@yemisiAA), Author of 'Longthroat Memoirs: Soups, Sex and Nigerian Taste Buds'

Your book has really changed my life Even though I don't have any children, your book has really changed my life. You have made me so aware of what I'm eating and the products I use on my body and my entire being is rejoicing in using all natural products and eating good healthy food. I wish that all hospitals would give your book to expectant mothers because everything you have said makes so much sense. Thank you for helping me achieve a new and healthy self.

- Andrea Nosworthy

I just wanted to extend my heart felt gratitude for this book, super excited can’t wait to start. I have a little boy with nonverbal autism and I have endless issues with sugar intake. I have been searching for books like yours for a long time.

- Navani

Having read this well researched book from cover to cover, I can honestly say that the author Catherine Barnhoorn has done a truly terrific job. She has comprehensively busted infant food myths and discussed in detail what nutrients are essential to your baby’s health. My personal favourite is the beautiful spiritual component she has running throughout the book. This is the first recipe book that I have seen with this link and it’s just so special. It’s a reminder to us all that everything in life is precious. That we need to be mindful and grateful of the foods we consume.

- Rachel Jesson, health food specialist, sports scientist & co-author of 'Wholesome Nutrition For You'

Mila’s Meals is much more than a recipe book – although it incorporates over one hundred yummy recipes suitable for littlies, and desirable for the rest of the family too! Mila’s Meals is an eye opener in one way, and a positive reinforcement in another for all the Moms (and Dads) out there who wish to give baby the best nutrition right from the start! It is a wonderfully practical and original guide through the overload of (mis)information that’s out there. It’s also beautifully presented, with text being complemented with pertinent quotations and stunning photographs. Mila’s Meals is a gem, and I recommend it for every new parent trying to find his or her way around the kitchen!”

- Janet, www.greenfamilyguide.com

Thank you so much for your lovely email of 14 July and for giving me a copy of your marvelous book, Mila’s Meals: The Beginning and The Basics. I really appreciate your kind words and want to compliment you on the fabulous book that you have written. I think it takes great courage to self-publish and I hope that the book will be a great success. Please note that I have promoted your book at The Sugar Free Symposium we had in September at the Waterfront in Cape Town. I included it as one of the many books written by Capetonians on the changing diet that we are promoting.

- Prof. Tim Noakes, scientist, professor of Exercise Science & Sports Medicine, co-author of The Real Meal Revolution

Essential reading for moms! This is my bible when it comes to preparing food for my little one. So much information, so many great ideas, a phenomenal glossary. I would say that every single mom-to-be should read Catherine’s book (not to mention any adults suffering from auto immune issues!). Her gentle approach to introducing solids without falling prey to society's obsession with unhealthy treats for babies and toddlers is refreshing and inspiring.

- Jenna

It was the authors philosophies that convinced me to buy this book: that all disease starts in the gut, we shouldn’t be eating dairy or sugar and that with the right meal prep eating right can be possible for a working family. This book has delivered over and above what I expected! I haven tried any recipes yet (I only just got the book), but every one has appealed to me so far. I love that its written by a South African so she uses produce that isn’t impossible to source or too expensive to afford. Nearly all her recipes can be frozen with handy instructions on how long they’ll last in the freezer.

- Lisa

This book will shed light on how you look at your child’s moods, foods, toxic exposures, colic, constipation, ear infections, runny nose, asthma and so much more. When we know the reason why our kids are not feeling well, it’s so much easier to find solutions. With all the things we have to do as a parent, we forget to teach our children how important self care is as they grow. Well baby makes a well adult! Plus, I found the conversation between Catherine and Mila so heartwarming. Thank you Catherine for sharing your love, truth and your knowledge. New mothers need this book!

- Connie Tomlyn

I certainly wish my mother had this book when I was a baby, spending my first year of life in the hospital due to food allergies! So many newborns suffer for sensitivities and it is an area that needs attention! This books does just that and provides families with easy recipes for any infant, providing healthy options that are easily available in any home! This is a "go-to" resource for any new mother! A must have for sure!

- Shelley Ugyan

What a beautiful and information packed guide and cookbook for nourishing your baby. Catherine shares her pre pregnancy health challenged journey through the birth of her daughter. Motivated by her baby’s health challenges and gastro intestinal symptoms she embarks on journey of research and discovery. Catherine guides the reader to take an active role in educating yourself on the foods you choose for your child. There are invaluable chapters on whole foods nutrition, avoiding food additives, rainbow nutrition, techniques on proper food preparation that help with absorption & many delicious recipes. This is a resource book that I will recommend to families with newborns, one that you will refer to over and over again. Thank you Catherine, I wish I had this resource when I was a new mom.

- Cathy Vogt

Your book arrived yesterday and I am utterly blown away.  This book is a vital one.  I must admit I haven’t brought cook books or ‘nutritional related books’ for too long now as I am bored to tears of them and haven’t found anything new or inspirational. Add that our understanding of nutrition has moved on and continues to so swiftly, too many are still full of old school dogma and I’ve been waiting for a revival.  This book ticks all those boxes and I think it has x factor. 

- Debbie Logan - journalist, real food activist & owner of The Organic Emporium