JoyFull – Cookbook Review & Giveaway

Joyfull: Cook Effortlessly, Eat Freely, Live Radiantly isn’t just another cookbook – it’s a New York Times Bestseller that brings together Radhi Devlukia-Shetty’s unique expertise as a dietitian, nutritionist, and Ayurvedic practitioner. Along with hosting the podcast “A Really Good Cry” and co-founding Juni Tea with her husband Jay Shetty (the global bestselling author and host of “On Purpose“), Radhi has created a comprehensive guide to conscious cooking and living.

Joyfull is a stunning collection of over 125 plant-based recipes, but it’s far more than just a recipe book. Through vibrant photography of food and family, Radhi weaves in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda – a 3,000-year-old holistic healing system from India that approaches health as an interconnected whole. The book guides readers toward mindful cooking practices that deepen our connection with food and enhance overall wellbeing, complemented by Radhi’s signature beauty rituals, breathing exercises, and meditation practices.

What sets this book apart is its practical approach to Ayurvedic cooking principles. Radhi introduces readers to the six fundamental tastes – sweet, sour, salty, astringent, bitter, and pungent – explaining how different foods contribute to each flavor profile. One notable aspect is her innovative approach to cooking without onions and garlic (known inflammatory ingredients) and the layering of spices. Instead, she masterfully uses asafoetida, a spice derived from Ferula plants that, once cooked, provides an onion-like flavor while offering digestive benefits.

Five online recipes for you to try now:

My experience with three recipes from the book proved impressive. The One-pot lemony spaghetti achieved remarkable flavor with minimal ingredients, becoming an instant family favorite – even winning over my picky husband and inspiring my 20-year-old to learn how to make it. It is creamy and comforting without the use of butter or other dairy products. The accompanying Pistachio gremolata added welcome texture and depth, though the pasta shines even on its own. Syrian walnut and red pepper dip (Muhammara) was equally successful, though in my excitement to taste it, I forgot to add the garnish for photos (click on the link for a photo)!

Other tempting recipes await me and include Sticky hoisin udon noodles, Rainbow noodle stir-fry and Pecan upside down cake just to mention a few.

For anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their routine, Joyfull offers an accessible entry point. The recipes are approachable and comforting, requiring minimal pantry overhaul while delivering maximum flavor and nutritional benefits.

Through this thoughtfully crafted book, Radhi shows how conscious cooking can transform not just our meals, but our entire approach to health and wellbeing.

Special thanks to the publisher for providing two copies of this title in our promotion open to US Members. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you like to try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on March 15th, 2025.

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53 Comments

  • Tarainthekitchen  on  January 27, 2025

    The pigeon peas. I love the idea of using ginger as a flavoring for them.

  • fayegibson  on  January 27, 2025

    I am so excited about this cookbook! I have never gravitated toward plant based recipes, but one taste of the Walnut-lentil Bolognese and I am a convert. Any time I read one of Jenny’s reviews I am instantly craving food, but in this case, I have to say that Radhi made me hungry and Jenny made me “Joyfull” because she included recipes to try.

  • racheljmorgan  on  January 27, 2025

    Buckwheat pancakes with compote and sweet cream

  • korkyporky  on  January 27, 2025

    Sticky hoisin udon noodles!

  • lean1  on  January 27, 2025

    Hoisin udon noodles

  • demomcook  on  January 27, 2025

    Gorgeously green naan pizza

  • CapeCodCook  on  January 27, 2025

    The One-pot lemony spaghetti sounds so good!

  • Nancith  on  January 27, 2025

    Pecan upside down cake sounds wonderful.

  • ChefClaireFVS  on  January 27, 2025

    I want to try the sleep moon milk!

  • Kathymelb  on  January 28, 2025

    I love this cookbook ❤️

  • dataentrytard  on  January 28, 2025

    I would like to try the hummus bruschetta loaded toast first.

  • ruthierhett1234  on  January 28, 2025

    I would like to make the buckwheat pancakes with compote and sweet cream!

  • stahl_amy  on  January 29, 2025

    Buckwheat pancakes! Now my GF Era 🙂

  • ravensfan  on  January 30, 2025

    French toast casserole

  • tucsonsandy  on  January 30, 2025

    green naan pizza

  • LaurenE  on  January 30, 2025

    buckwheat pancakes with compote and sweet cream

  • Lalamzo  on  January 30, 2025

    Mexican lasagna!

  • imnotyouranti  on  January 31, 2025

    I’m always looking for ways to incorporate unfamiliar (to me) produce, so I’d love to try the “Crispy Sunchokes with Golden Aioli.”

  • porcupines  on  January 31, 2025

    The buckwheat pancakes with compote and sweet cream look so good!!

  • virjeania  on  February 2, 2025

    Cream cheese, cucumber, radish, and super-seed toasts

  • GreenhouseCheryl  on  February 2, 2025

    Sand’s eggplant bacon

  • fms95032  on  February 2, 2025

    I have been looking for a great Spiced stewed apples recipe, so will try that first.

  • sarahawker  on  February 3, 2025

    Crispy roasted potatoes with zhoug and zesty yogurt

  • Mtetpon  on  February 5, 2025

    Pancakes

  • banba1  on  February 7, 2025

    Chai oatmeal

  • JenThomas318  on  February 8, 2025

    Curried crispy kale, mango chutney, and ricotta naan pizza

  • Babycarrot  on  February 10, 2025

    Eggplant bacon

  • Lisadiahann  on  February 10, 2025

    I would love to try the buckwheat pancakes!

  • NatalyaM  on  February 11, 2025

    Buckwheat pancakes with compote and sweet cream

  • elysedc  on  February 11, 2025

    Red lentil daal dip

  • jd5761  on  February 11, 2025

    buckwheat pancakes for me

  • ammerlino  on  February 11, 2025

    I would like to try the Pecan upside down cake

  • MissAtlantis  on  February 13, 2025

    The sweet potatoes curry

  • rkosully  on  February 14, 2025

    I would first like to try the spiced stewed apples.

  • roxlet  on  February 14, 2025

    Pecan upside down cake sounds amazing

  • pennytully  on  February 15, 2025

    Sweet potato, cauliflower, green bean, and cashew curry – New ways to use sweet potatoes are at the top of my to-do list.

  • sarahteertzah  on  February 15, 2025

    Sweet potato, cauliflower, green bean, and cashew curry

  • debbiehb  on  February 16, 2025

    Pecan upside down cake

  • shmampie  on  February 16, 2025

    I would like to try making moonglettes

  • iht  on  February 18, 2025

    I’d like to try the spicy Indian pasta!

  • elsid22  on  February 19, 2025

    Buckwheat pancakes!

  • kitchen_chick  on  February 19, 2025

    Moonglettes (savory lentil pancakes)

  • hunter_songy  on  February 20, 2025

    green naan pizza

  • hettar7  on  February 22, 2025

    i’m interested to try any of the recipies with the onion substitute

  • Slapeti  on  February 23, 2025

    Spiced stewed apples! My husband loves all things apple, so I’d love to make this for him!

  • Merritt02  on  February 24, 2025

    Joyfull offers over 125 plant-based recipes while weaving in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom. It champions mindful cooking, enhancing our connection with food and wellbeing through vibrant photography and Radhi’s rituals. Readers learn about the six fundamental tastes and benefit from her innovative cooking methods, avoiding inflammatory ingredients like onions and garlic. Speaking of fun, why not add some laughter to your kitchen with Funny Shooter 2 for a delightful cooking experience?
    https://funnyshooter-2.com/

  • tucsonsandy  on  February 26, 2025

    Hoisin udon noodles

  • Jennifer7  on  February 26, 2025

    lentil pancakes

  • orchidlady01  on  February 27, 2025

    Strawberry mint lemonade

  • Karla123  on  February 27, 2025

    Spicy pineapple supreme naan pizza

  • JessHeilman  on  February 28, 2025

    One pot lemony spaghetti

  • ChicagoJen  on  February 28, 2025

    Gorgeously green naan pizza

  • Lisadiahann  on  March 4, 2025

    I would like to try the iron beet-down smoothie.

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