REVIEWS, TESTIMONIALS & WORDS TO HAPPY DANCE TO

What People Are Saying about

Mila's Meals (the book)

Spending 3.5 years writing a book with the intention of self-publishing (so… without the support of a publishing team) can leave a lot of room for self-doubt to creep in!

I was blessed to have Dr. Jon Morley agree to review my book before I sent it to print. And these words gave me the strength and courage to see it through.

"I empathise with your feelings of doubt, I can only say doubt not and know your conviction. You are on the verge of creating such a community around the world, just wear shades coz the brightness is gonna get intense.
Stay strong in your belief." x

Dr. Jon Morley

"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."

Responses to my Farewell Announcement

Read my “10 Years of Mila’s Meals: Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye” blog here.

Sjoe, never thought I’d shed a tear (actually more than one) whilst reading an email like this.

We’ve never met and frankly I can’t say I know what you look like, but I’ve considered Mila’s Meals a culinary bible in our life.

Our son has been intolerant to a list of food items as long as my arm since he was a baby and I studied your book religiously.

It was one of the few books I knew I could trust to give me the right advice.

Although he’s outgrown most of his intolerances I still refer to the book frequently, even if to just help another mother out who’s starting on their journey.

So in short, thank you for the book. It was a Godsend when I needed it most.

I wish you all the love and happiness on your new journey. And I hope you can find something that excites your creative spirit again!

Nicolette S.

I absolutely loved using your book when I had my first child, although I didn’t go to the full extent of all the approaches and ingredients, I did use a lot and it empowered me immensely.

It has also been a serious wealth of factual/statistical information that I trusted in shaping our nutritional journey as a family. Although they have dairy, some sugar, and wheat, overall they are healthy, strong and predominantly sickness free.

You’ve done amazingly, and I have no doubt thousands of people have been ‘served’ with all of your work and wisdom.

So, thank you, and well done for choosing yourself and Mila over the unbelievably intense demands (and ultimately dissatisfaction) of social media.

I think your message above is also an important one in the face of what we are all embroiled in these days; and you have quite clearly staked your stance in how you will approach social media and tech with your daughter as she battles her teenage years. As a high school teacher I am horrified at the effects it’s all having on teens.

Anyway, good luck with it all! And again, congratulations on 10 years well spent!

Nicole N.

I RARELY, if ever, read mails. Especially newsletters or subscriptions I signed up for..

This was so good to read.

I am happy for the journey that lies ahead for you (and Mila)

Thank you for inspiring and EDUCATING me. My core food principals in my house are based on your work and knowledge from Mila’s Meals book.

I love how real and raw and unfiltered you are.

Well done on an amazing decade!!

Nina

Thank you, Catherine for your amazing contribution.

You will always be an inspiration.

Thank you for the lovely recipes which we still use today.

I also still recommend your book to anyone with intolerances as well as new parents.

Keep well and all the best.

A. Narshi

I think you already know as I’ve said it before but your book played the biggest role in my 2 girls nutrition – I didn’t have ANY (literally not one) other nutrition/starting solids book, to date, and we’ve been referring back to it for years.

My sister and all our other cuzzies as the same – thank you again for all the love and energy and time that went into it.

Sending love to you and Mila

Enjoy those delicious meals and chats

Dr. L. Murray

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the immense impact that you have had on my journey with my kids. I will forever be thankful!

M. van der Merwe

I so enjoyed reading your mail and would just like to say a big THANK YOU…

I absolutely loved your Mila’s Meals book (still do) and used it as religiously as a bible when both of my babies started on solids (They are now almost 4 & 6).

I truly appreciated your attention to detail in the book and the depths of your discussions.

Your book was so beautifully written and so thoroughly researched & it was always a true pleasure to pick it up.

It lay on my kitchen table for months on end when my kids were younger and I would scour through the pages each night after they’d gone to bed trying to absorb as much of your valuable insight & information as I could.

I have learnt SO MUCH from you… thank you.

I’m obsessed and extremely passionate about nutrition and what we put into our bodies…I’ve always thought I knew a fair amount but your book opened my eyes to so much more that I wasn’t even aware of.

I’ve become a definite “ingredient detective” now since discovering your work.

I’m also a researcher…and love to delve into things that interest me.

So your book just appealed to me on many different levels and in more ways than one.

Don’t want to go on and on but really just – Thank You… I think what you’ve done is wonderful and I completely understand your decision to step away.

I wish you all the best of luck in your new chapter you’re embarking Well done on developing something truly remarkable, and Well done for being brave enough to acknowledge when it was time to step away and move on.

Samantha A.

Oh Catherine! I salute you!!

Well done for taking this step, you are doing what’s best for you and yours. And not just swimming with the stream!

I love your book and it’s a gift to so many I know. I started solids with my first (now turning 4) “The Mila’s Meals Way”.

My second is now 8 months and although I’m taking more of a Baby GAPS approach with him due to self-diagnosed slower digestion, I still lean heavily on your book and it’s totally improved how I cook for us all as a family. Grains & pulses all get soaked, always 😉

Sending you love!!

A. van Zyl

I love your book!

I’m not a mom, but I did need some free-from recipe inspiration, so when Dr Jon Morley recommended it, I totally pounced!

It is such an exceptional book, and it shines with integrity, which is so rare these days. I recommend it to friends every chance I get.

Sabine B.

I love your work, you helped me so much when my daughter was little.

I think you are so brave to walk away from this new social media and AI landscape and to be able to speak your truth.

Thank you for all your inspiration, I look forward to hearing what’s next for you as you sit in this beautiful space you have created for yourself and I hope it makes you happy.

Dr. R. Patel

What you have created and how you have helped people with their little ones (and their own) health is no small feat.

Your journey is nothing short of inspirational and Mila is one lucky little mongoose to have such a passionate mama!

Nikki S.

Mila is endlessly lucky to have had a mom who prioritised her health despite the effort that took, despite the personal battles and sacrifices, and who still chooses to do so.

Good luck with your next chapter. You remain an inspiration.

Lisa E.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I bought your book in preparation for my first child and loved all the information, ideas, eye opening facts, tips and tricks to make healthy food for her. I noted and marked loads of your recipes and they went down really well!!!

Thank you for your time and effort to share and educate us on food and its importance. I still recommend your book to other moms when they are stuck or are new to this stage of life!

You’re making a bold decision to step away from the ‘new online presence requirements’, people will (hopefully soon) realise raw/organic is more true than curated.

May you continue to love food, and your next journey with your daughter.

Kara W.

You have been so inspiring with regards healthy eating and I commend you for a brilliant book and job well done.

A. Van Lier

Book Reviews

Very informative and easy to gain valuable knowledge regarding nutrition. Not just for kids, the recipies are delicious for adults too.

This book has become a treasured family book. We’ve used it from the beginning and still do! The whole family loves the recipes and a bonus is that it limits sugar and has no nasty hidden ingredients. Best book ever!

This book is a must have if you have little ones and want a wealth or wonderful recipes that are healthy and good for your children - that they will love. Highly entertaining, informative and makes me look like a super Dad. Love this book you can see a lot of love went in to it and the recipes are like a warm hug. 5 stars!

I have loved this ebook. Been using the recipes since 2019 when my first child was born. From the bone broth, to the pesto and the sugar free dessert options. It’s been amazing for my second child who had a Candida overgrowth and couldn’t have yeast, sugar or anything that grows mould such as cheese. The pesto is always in our freezer for impromptu meals with friends and everybody loves it!

My husband and I are both gluten free and when our baby came along we weren't exactly sure how to navigate his meals. I was introduced to Mila's Meals by my doctor and it has been such a game changer! SO many wonderful tips and advice! I believe the camu camu gummies were the first thing I made - easy, nutritious and delicious!

This is an easy to follow guide to good, healthy eating for littlies and hopefully the whole family.

a bible for all who want to learn about food and nutrients and a great book for all who are looking for a conservative, slow and allergen safe start into solids

Really good useful gluten free recipe book. A variety of recipes that are local and easy to make.

Oh who knew Pear pairs so incredibly and deliciously well with Sweet Potato and Butternut. My Buddha baby loves the purées we’re experimenting with him btw It never occurred to me to pair fruit and veg!!! What a winning combo it turned out to be. Thanks to Milas Meals - I feel so confident that my kids will get the right amounts of the good stuff. It’s so empowering! Thank you Catherine for sharing this with the world

READY TO ADD THIS TO YOUR PARENTING TOOLBOX?

GET 25% OFF our book using discount code: REVIEWS25

I'M READY!

This book inspired me so much that I started studying clinical nutrition! Never in my life have I ever come across a book that is so consuming. Every free minute of my day I find myself soaking up every bit of interesting information on each page, each time learning something new and eye- opening. This is truly a nutrition/food bible and every mom should have one. I literally cannot get enough of it, so much so that I have actually been neglecting my studies. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Informative. Read at ease

The book, for one, resonated big time. There are ways to live healthy and still enjoy the foods of life.

This book is great. Really great recipes. It helped immensely once my daughter was diagnosed in November with many food allergies. I had no clue where to start but this was a life save. Looking forward to the next instalment on pre order soon.

This is a wonderful book has just about everything you need to know about healthy living for children. We don’t have a baby but we do have a child with allergies and I love that it has a huge party section - we haven’t tried all the recipes as yet but have gotten through about half so far. Most are yummy. If this was revised my only suggestion is an addition in soaking times as many of the recipes require soaking of grains to help digestion and decrease side effects. If you’ve never fermented food before you may also want a bit more in this section but otherwise the book answers just about any question you may want to ask...

I can’t sing enough praise for this book. Every single parent or parent to be should be required to read this book. Yes! I’m serious. Even if you are not “free from,” this book is FULL of useful info & health tips that are so relevant today. Can’t wait for the next book!

Stunning book with so much information and guidance.

Loving this book cover to cover with so much information that makes so much sense.

Mila's Meals is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone with kids (in fact - even without). I've used it in my integrative practice for over a year and am so glad to have a guide I can refer mom's too. In a time where there are so many conflicting ideas around food and nutrition, it's an absolute beacon of light! Thank you for creating such a beautiful and well researched book Catherine. May this travel to foreign shores very soon.

Simply amazing

I wish I had this book before I had my babies! Gosh, I wish my mother had this book when we were babies!! If you are looking for the best and healthiest way to raise your children, in fact, your entire family - get this book!! It will save you years of research and confusion- which I have been doing! Truly worth it’s weight in gold!! Get it as a baby shower gift! The mom will thank you for years to come!!

Wow this book has really made a big impact on me! It has given me the tools to make the changes necessary to make my diet that much healthier. Full of helpful information in addition to the awesome recipes, I have ended up buying 5 more for family and friends and I am sure I will buy more!

Bought this on the Black Friday sale and I am so glad I did, I have learnt a ton from it already and even started making some of the recipes. The reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is that some of the recipes seem a little bit over complicated in terms of how many specialised ingredients are needed, some suggestions for alternative ingredients should certain ingredients not be available, would be very helpful here.

Perfect for parents who want to get their kids started on solids the right way.

Excellent book. So much information and lovely recipe ideas. Don't be put off by the price, it's a big book with loads of info and detail. Definitely worth it!

A gloriously illustrated book of recipes for a baby in its first year – all of which appear to be suitable for the entire family. It includes extensive information on every aspect of nutrition: additives, GM, allergies and food intolerances among many more. It’s packed with delicious recipes, all accompanied by mouth-watering pictures.

I love how she creates healthy alternative for all the well liked toddler and child meals. I have this book out on my kitchen counter permanently. I reference it daily.

Fantastic book and so much to learn! My picky little eater is loving the food I cook from Milas Meals.

I don't know what I would have done without this book. The recipes are delicious and the information about diet health and nutrition are excellent. Everything in the book just makes sense and the recipes are great for the whole family. It's been a present I give to friends when they have a baby as there a nothing else on the market like it.

The best and only book anyone needs when weaning their babies and it carries them through with a love of all the right foods to eat as they grow and discover more tastes. We love the recipes and use them regularly knowing we are feeding our kids the healthiest food we can!

Super stoked about this book! As a family who have allergies to pretty much all the main food allergens, I've struggled to feed everyone while retaining my sanity. So I'm very impressed with this book. Also happy that it's doesn't need weird ingredients, everything is fairly easy to find.

What a well put together book! it's a great resource for any family who wants food that nourishes. The recipes are easy to follow and delicious. I can't wait for the next book to be released.

I can highly, highly recommend this book for everyone, not just mommies! It has been very lovingly put together, packed full with valuable nutritional information which is easy to read and (most importantly) understand! And don't forget all the fantastic recipes, something for every occasion! I keep my book in the heart of my kitchen, within easy reach!

This book is life changing. Not only are the recipes great, but the wealth of useful, well researched, well laid out, easy to understand health information alone, makes it well worthwhile.

Just dosed my snotty little 14 month old girl with so much garlic in some yummy fishcakes - I still can't believe she likes them, and basil pesto!!

Love this book! I bought it in preparation for introducing my little girl to solids and it has helped inspire me to approach something which was quite daunting. I'm now excited to get started!

I cannot describe the immense feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment after I have cooked a meal using your guidelines.
My new way of preparing food, to make it as nutrient dense as possible, has given me a new purpose and sense of gratification for real food.
After my two-year old was diagnosed with cancer last year, doing enormous amount of research, seeing Profs, Drs, nutritionists....I ultimately landed here - Mila's Meals has forever changed my life, my outlook on food and nutrition and what I feed my family.
This has had a ripple effect of change on my entire family (parents, two sisters - both with new-borns).
Words cannot describe how thankful I am. Please consider writing another book!
PS - My daughter is now cancer free (received the news this Monday)
Thank you for changing my life.

Empowering !!! You'll be entertained and inspired while learn more about your health and how to choose your way out of ill health. Catherine makes complying easy. The depth of research and breadth of relevant and applicable knowledge is amazing. This book is not just for children but everyone.

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!

I got this book, even though I haven't started a family. Though the focus is very much about the first year of your child's life, it has countless recipes that are valid and applicable to everyone and anyone. So, though I'm sure it is the absolute best thing for a soon-to-be-mom or new mom, anyone can add this to their cookbook collection and find much use out of it. One of my favourite aspects is the attention to detail and the work that went into finding the right balance of GF starch/flour combinations for each recipe, so that it's not just the usual "buy a pre-made GF flour option" but an actual tailor-made GF recipe that works for each and every recipe in particular, for the best taste and consistency. You can see that the amount of work put into this book is staggering, and impressive.

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 Catherines 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. Gut health starts from birth and will effect your child's health throughout his/her life. It is time we start taking this seriously. Buy it!

Our award-winning cookbook is here!

Get your copy >>

REVIEWS, TESTIMONIALS & WORDS TO HAPPY DANCE TO

What People Are Saying about

Mila's Meals (the book)

Responses to my Farewell Announcement

Book Reviews

READY TO ADD THIS TO YOUR PARENTING TOOLBOX?

ABOUT MILA'S MEALS

QUICKLINKS

About

Recipes

Blog

Shop

Book a Consultation