Book Review – Our Nourishing Week: Easy and nutritious meals for the whole family

I just had to leave a little shout-out for Sarah Bell, who happens to be from my local neighbourhood—how lovely is that? It’s not every day someone nearby puts out something so beautifully crafted, and Our Nourishing Week is truly a gift to busy families who want real, wholesome food without the fuss.

The recipes are practical, nutritious, and full of flavour, but what I love most was the thoughtfulness behind each one. It’s not just about food—it’s about rhythm, routine, and feeding your family in a way that feels sustainable and nurturing. You can tell Sarah lives and breathes what she shares. There’s a calm simplicity throughout the book that really resonates with me (especially during chaotic school weeks!).

Sarah simplifies dinner in a way that actually works in real life—think “cook once, eat twice” recipes, 30-minute time-savers, and clever “power pairs” that give you two totally different meals from the same hero protein. Absolute game changer when your evenings feel like a revolving door of homework, sport pickups, and the eternal question: “What’s for dinner?” Another big tick? The recipes are incredibly allergy- and intolerance-friendly.

Well done Sarah—what a wonderful contribution to the cookbook shelf!

I absolutely love Steph de Sousa’s style. She is one of those wonderfully flamboyant women who brings so much personality to the kitchen, and honestly, her colour alone makes me smile. There is something so refreshing about someone who feels bright, confident, and completely herself. That energy spills right into her brand, and it makes this cookbook feel warm, lively, and approachable before you even start thinking about what to cook.

The Air Fryer Queen has that same cheerful charm. It feels like the kind of cookbook written by someone who genuinely wants to help you get tasty food on the table without turning dinner into a full-blown production. And that is exactly the sort of energy I want from an air fryer book. Not stiff. Not overly chefy. Just fun, practical, and full of ideas you might actually use.

What makes Steph so appealing is that she does not come across as intimidating. She feels real. A little bit fabulous, a little bit cheeky, and very much like someone who understands that most of us are just trying to make something easy, delicious, and vaguely impressive with minimal fuss. That is a big part of why this book stands out. It feels friendly.

And can we talk again about the colour? I know that sounds silly in a cookbook review, but it really is part of the charm. Steph has such a vibrant presence, and it brings a kind of happiness to the whole air fryer world. Kitchen content can sometimes feel a bit beige, but she brings sparkle. She makes cooking feel more fun, more playful, and much less like a chore.

This is the kind of cookbook that would suit anyone who wants easy air fryer recipes but also wants a bit of joy with their meal planning. It is practical, yes, but it also feels full of personality. That makes a difference. Sometimes you are not just buying recipes, you are buying inspiration, momentum, and a little nudge to actually use the appliance sitting on your bench.

For me, that is the big appeal of Steph de Sousa. I love this flamboyant lady, I love her energy, and I love that her colourful style makes the whole thing feel upbeat and inviting. She just makes me smile, and that is not a bad quality in a cookbook author at all.

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